The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-23
A Field OF Blood.

The soil Of Blandensburg, Maryland, has
bloody record. II has been the scene Of
many refined murder in days past. One
wh5 visits the place now win find the field
green with verdure, which a few years since
was trampled BY the feet of men arrayed in
deadly hostility. Here, on a beautiful grass
plot, surrounded BY trees, forms made after
The image Of God came to insult nature and
defy heaven.
10 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed here
10 duel. This seems to have been the first
Of there fashionable murders on this duellng
ground.
In 1919, A. L. Mason, q United States
senator from Virginia, fought with his si+-
ter's husband, John MeCArty, here. McCarty
was averse to fighting, and thought there
vas no necessity for it; but Mason would
fight. McCsrty named muskets, loaded with
buCkshot, and so close together that they
would touch heads il they fell on their faces
This was changed by the seconds tc loading
with bullets, and taking twelve feet as the
distance. Mason was killed Instantly, and
MeCarty, who had his collar-bone broken,
still lives with Mason's sister in Georgetown
His hair turned white, soon after, 50 as 10
cause comment. He has since been solicited
to act as second in a duel, but declined, in
accordance with pledge made to bis wife,
soon after killing her brother.
In 1920. Commodore Decatur was killed
here in duel, by Commodore Barron. AT
the 6rst fire, both fell forward, and lay with
their heads within ten feet Of each other; and
as each supposed himself mortslly wounded,
each fully and freely forgave the other,
still lying on the ground. Decatur expired
in few days, but Barron eventually re-
covered.
In 1883, two strangers, named Lega and
Sega, appeared here and fought and Sega
was In nstantly killed. The neighbors only
learned this much Of their names from the
marks on the gloves on the ground. Iega
was not hurt
In 1922, Midshipman Loke was killed here
in duel with clerk of the treasury de-
partment, named Gibson. The latter was
not hurt
In 1926, Henry Clay fought bis second
duel with John Randolph, just across the
Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die, IL ai
all, on Virginia soil. The latter received Cay'c
shot and then fired bis pistol in 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
alluded to the quiet sleep Of her child anc
the rsDose OF the mother. Randolph quick y
replied,
81 shall do nothing to disturb the sleep 0
the child or the repose Of the mother"
Gen. Jessup was Clay's second. WheT
Randolph fred, he remarked,
IL do not shoot at you, Mr.. ClaJ, and ex
tending his hand, advanced towards Mr.. Clay
who rushed to meet him. Randolph Shove,
Clay where the ball struck his coat, and said
facetiously,
"Mr. Clay, You owe me . coat"
"Thank God the debt is no greater" re
piled Clay.
They were friends ever after:
in 1882, Martin was killed here By Carr
Their FIRST names were not remembered, q
they were fro N the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key-son OF Frank Key, an
brother Of Barton Key, Of the Sickles no
toriety-met Ar. Sherborn and Sherbor
said
"Mr. Key, have no desire to kin you"
"No matter" said Key, "I came 70 ki
you"
s'very well, them" said Sherborn, 81 wi
Kill you," ana be did.
In 1845, q lawyer named Jones, fougt
with and killed DIR. johnson,
In 1851, r. A. Hoole and A. ]. Dallas .
hostile meeting here. Dallas was shot /
the shoulder, bat recovered.
In 1859, Daniels and johnson, two Rich
mond editors, held set-to here. which tel
} minated in cafee.
In Is42, Davis and Ridgway fought her,
Ridgway allowed his antagonist 10 Ere, will
out returning the Shot