Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-03-28
The Bladensburg Dueling Grounds.
Bladensburo. the famous duelin:

Bladensburg, the famous duelins
ground, is situated in Maryland, some
six or eight miles from Washington
There, in beautiful little grass plot
surrounded by trees, is where number
of the most noted duelists resorted tc
perform their deadly work.
In 1874 Edward Hopkins was killed
here in duel. This seemed to have
been the first of these fashionable mur
ders on this dueling ground.
In 1919, A. 7. Mason, a Unitde
States Senator, fought with his sisters
husband, John McCarty, here. Nc.
Carly was averse to fighting, and
thorght there was no necessity for it T.;
but Mason would fight. McCarty named
muskets loaded with grape shot and SC
near together that they would hit heads
if they fell on their faces. This was
changed by their seconds to loading
with bullets, and taking twelve feet as
the distance. Mason was instantly
killed, and McCarty, who had his col
lar bone broken, still lives with Mason S
sister in Georgetown. His hair turned
white SO soon after the duel as to cause
much comment He has since been
solicited to act as second in duel, but
refused in accordance with a pledge he
made his wife soon after killing her
brother
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was
killed in duel here by Commodore
Barron. At the first fire both fell for
ward, within ten feet of each other
and as each supposed himself mortally
wounded, each fully and freely forgave
the other, still lying on the ground.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Bar
ron eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers named Lega
and Sega appeared here. fought, and
Sega was instantly killed The neigh
borhood only learned this much of their
names from the marks on their gloves,
left on the ground. Sega was not hurt.
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was
killed by clerk in the Treasury De-
partment, named Gibson. The latter
was not hurt
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his
second duel) with John Randolph, just
across the Potomac, as Randolph pre-
ferred 10 die, if at all, on Virginia soil.
He received Clay's SHOT and then fired
into the air. This was in accordance
with declaration made to Mr. Benton,
who spoke to Randolph of call, the
evening before on Mrs. Clay, and al
luded to the quiet sleep of the child
and the repose of the mother. Randolph
quickly replied ri shall do nothing to
disturb the sleep of the child or the re-
pose of the mother"
When Randolph fired he remarked :
~ do not shoot at you Mr.. Clay" and
extending his hand, he advanced toward
Mr. Clay, who rushed to meet him.
Randolph showed Clay where his bullet
struck his coat, and said facetiously !:
"Mr. Clay, you owe me a coat"
Clay replied "Thank God the debt
is 10 greater" They were friends ever
after.
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr.
Their first aues are not remembered.
They were from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank
Key, a brother of Barton Key, of
Sickles notoriety, met Mr.. Sherbon and
exchanged shots, when Sherbon said
"Mr. Key I have no desire to kill
YOU
"No matter,' said Key, 81 came to
kill you
every well, then," said Sherbon, "I
will kill you" And be did.
In 1888, W. J. Graves, of Kentucky,
assuming the quarrel of James Watson
Webb with Jonathan Cilcy, of Maine,
selected this place for Ciley's murder !;
but the parties learning that Webb with
two friends, jackson and Merrill, were
armed and in pursuit, for the purpose
Of assassinating Ciley, moved toward
the river and nearer the city. Their
pursuers moved toward the river, but
missed the parties and then returned to
the city, to which they were soon fol-
lowed by Graves and the corpse of
Ciley.