Middletown transcript., 1868-05-30
The Bladensburg Dueling Ground.


Bladensburg, the famous dueling ground
is situated in Maryland, some six or eight
miles from Washington. There in beau
tiful little grass plot, surrounded by trees,
is where number of the most noted duel
lists resortcd to perform their deadly work.
In 1914. Edward Hopkins was killed
here in duel This seemed to have been
the first of these fashionable murders on
this dueling ground. 5.r tfe-s
In 1919, A. T. Mason, a United States
Senator, fought his sisters husband, John
MeCarty here. McCarty was averse to
fighting, and thought there was no neces-
sity for it; but Mason would fight Nc
Carly named muskets loaded with grape
shot, and so near together 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 bone
broken, still lives with Mason's sister in
Georgetown. His hair turned white SO
soon after the duel as to cause mnch com
ment. He has since been solicited to act
as second in duel, but refused, in accor-
dance with a pledge he made to 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 forward, with
their heads within ten feet of each other;
and, as each supposing himself mortaI1y
wounded, each fully and freely forgave' the
other, still lying on the ground. Decatur
expired Immediately, but Barron eventual
ly recovered.
In 1921, two strangers named Lega and
Sega appeared here, fought, and Sega was
instantly killed. The neighbors only learn
ed this much of their names from the
marks on their gloves, left ON the ground
Lcga was not hurt
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
here by clerk of the Treasury Depart
hurt. ,s;
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his Sec
ond ducD with John Randolph, just across
the Potomac, as Randolph perferred to
die, if at all, on Virginia soil.sg He re-
ceived Clays shot, and fired in the air.
This was in accordance with a declaration
made to Mr.. Benton, who spoke TO Ran
dolph of call, the evening before, on
Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quiet sleep
of her child and the repose of the mother.
Randolph quickly replied: 81 shall. do
nothing to disturb the sleep of the child
or the repose of the MOTHER 't' .,lFie
When Randolph fired he remarked ~
" l 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 lis
coat, and said afacetiously !: "lMr. bGlay.
you owe me a coat" III. .sl tI.r-ifi ed5 u
Clay replied, "aThank God the debt is
no greatcre' They were friends ever
after. A='-t' pa I%7s
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr
Their first names are not remembered
They were from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key.
and brother of Barton Key, of Sicklcs
notoriety, met Mr.. Sherborn, and exehan-
ged shot, when Sherborn said
" Mr.. Key l have no desire to kill
you" ~ .-...5. .srespsst
:" No matter" said Key, Il came to
kill you"
&C Very we'll, thcn," said Sherborn, 1
will now kin you" And he did
In 1888, w. J. Graves of Kentucky,
lssumming the quarrel of James Watson
Webb with Jonathan Chillcy, of Maine,
selected this place for Chilley's murder?
but the parties learning that Webb, with
two friends, jackson and Merrell, were
armed and in pursuit, for the purpose of
assassinating Chilley, moved towards the
river, and nearer the city. Their pur-
suers moved toward the river, but missed
the parties, and then returned to the city,
to which were soon followed by Graves
and the corpse of Chilley. Il