Smyrna times., 1868-04-29
The BIadensburg DueIing Ground.

Bladensburg, the famous dueling ground, i
situated in Maryland, some six or eight mile
from Washington. There, in beautiful little
grass plot, surrounded by trees, is where .
number OF the most noted duelists resorted tC
perform their desdly work.
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed here in
a duel. This seemed to have been the first OF
these fashionable murders on this duelinp
ground
In 1919, A. I. Mason, United States Sena.
tor fought with his sisters husband, john
McCarty here. McCarty WIS averse to fight
my ana thought there was M necessity for il;
Tut Mason would fight. McCdrty named mus
RrtS loaded with grape sho, and 50 near to
gether that they would hit heads if they fell
On their faces. This was changed by the
seconds to loading with bullets and taking
Twelve feet as the distance. Mason was killed
instantly, and McCarty, who had his collar
1ohe broken, still lives with Masnn's sister in
Georgetown. His hair turned white So soon
after the duel as to cause much comment. He
mas Nlnce been solicited to act as second in y
1uel' but refused, in accordance with pledge
ne made to his wife soon after killing her
brother. "O'
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed in :,
duel here by Commodore Barron. At the frst
llre D0th fell forward with their heads within
zen feet OF each other; and, as each >uppoS d
himself mOrtally wounded, each fully and free
IorgaVe the other still lying on the ground.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Barron
eventually recovered.
In 1872 two strangers named Lnga and Sega
appeared here, fought, and Sega was Instantly
Killed. The nelghbOrs only learned this much
CT thelr names from the marks on their gloves
lett on tn ground. Lega was not hurt
In 1921, Mid>hipman Locke was killed hero
Gy 9y clerk OF the Treasury Department, named
GlbSon. The latter was not hurt
In 1876, Henry Clay fought This second dueD
WIN JOhn Randolph, just across the Potomac
as randolph preferred to die, if at all, on Vir
glnla soil He RECEIVED Clay's shot, and then
nred In the air. This was in accordance with
a declaration made to Mr.. Benton, who spoke
TO 20 randolph OF call, the evening before, on
\ Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quiet sleep of
her child and the repose of the mother. Kan
dolph quickly replied 81 shall do nothing TO
disturb the sleep of the child or the repose of
the mother"
When Randolph fred he remarked 81 do
not shoot at you, Mr. Clay" and extending his
hand, advanced toward Mr.. Clay, who rushed
to {! meet him. Randolph showed Clay where
his ball struck his coat, and said facetiously
Mr.. Clay, you owe me a coat"
Clay replied, "Thank God tho debt is no
greater! They were friends ever after.
= In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr. Their |
H irSt names are not remembered. They were
from the South
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key, and
brother of Barton Key, of Sickles notorietv,
met Mr.. Sherborn, and exchanged shot,
when SharbOrn said
Mr. Key have no desire to kill YOU"
mo matter, said Key, 'Icame to kill. you.'
Eeery we'll then, said Sherborn, Il will
now kill you" And he did.
In 1888, W. j. Graves, of Kentucky. as
'umlng the quarrel Of James Watson Webb
with Jonathan Cilley of Maine, selected this
place. for Cilley's murder; but the parties
earning that Webb, with two friends, Jackson
ma ma Meneil were armed and in pursuit, for
he purpose of assassnating Cillev moved TO-
wards the river, and nearer the city. Their
2Iursuers moved toward the river but missed
he parties, and then returned to the CITY. to
Which they were soon followed by Graves and
.he corpse Of Cilley.