Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-07-29
OLD HICKORY'S NERVE.
Jaclson's Duel with Diclzinson-A Dead sSho
who Missed His Mark.

WHO missed his Mark.
From the st. Louis Republican.
Dickinson was promising young
man belonging to highly respectable
family i'll Nashville, and the junior Of
jackson by several years. Attached to
a different and hostile faction, he mag
med rivalry where none really existed,
and being in the habit Of drinking too
freely, occasionally made remarks
which would not bear repetition. Of
course they were repeated, and to the
one of all other most deeply interested.
When the first offence Of this sort
transpired, Jackson went to Dickinson's
father-in law, told what he had heard,
and begged him to guard, if possible,
against similar occurrence in the flu
ture. The warning was of no avail, FOR
when the wine was again in the ascend
ant Dickinson threw out thesame slurs,
and this time they cost him his hearts
blood. ..........
The duel ostensibly originated in a
horserace, which, by the way, was never
run; but the animus of it, so far as
jackson was concerned, lay in the fact
that Dickinson had spoken i'll of Mrs.
Jackson. Dickinson was dead shot
could hit a half-dollar at ten PAGES. kill
birds on the wing, and perform other
miraculous feats with the pistol. He
was as brave and cool as he was skilful,
and never entertained a doubt as to the
result OF the combat. Encouragement
was that when the word was was given
they could fire as soon as they pleased.
jackson, knowing Dickinson's superior
qulckness with his weapon, resolved not
to attempt to get the first fire, but to
take the chances for second. ..
The instant the signal was shouted
Dickinson fred. The dust flew from
the breast of the loose-ftting black
frock coat which Jackson wore, but he
stood there like pillar Of adamant,
apparently unframed. Dickinson
started back IN horror and amazement,
exclaiming, "My God have I missed
him ?" His stern and unrelenting an
tagonist took deliberate aim and pulled
the trigger. The pistol did not respond.
He looked and found it was only at half
cock. A second time he took aim, and
as the sharp crack rang out among the
silent woods where the deadly scene was
laid, Dickinson tottered and fell into
the arms of his friend. He died the
same night.
jackson was able to mount his horse
and ride home next day-barely able.
for the bullet which seemed to miss
HIM had really passed through the
t1eshy part Of his breast and cut the
breast bone. His shoes were full of
blood when he walked from the fatal
field; but he concealed the fact, as he
said, "because he did not want Dickin-
son to have the satisfaction of knowing
that he had hit him at ALL" In answer
to the question how he could, after re-
ceiving such a shock, retain his steadi-
ness Of nerve, he replied 81 believe
should have killed him had he shot
me through the BRAIN
The wound never healed properly :;
was the occasion Of frequent hemor-
rhages III later years and ultimately
caused his death.
There is no evidence going to show
that Jackson ever repented of the duel.
Long afterward- indeed, only few
weeks before he died-a friend visiting
his sick chamber happened to pick up
an old pistol lying on the mantel. The
Eeen-eyed invalid saw the movement,
and remarked quietly: ''That is the
pistol with which [ killed Mr.. Dickin-
son.