The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-04
OH @aiig Atsns,
OLD HICKORY's NERVE.
Jackson's Duel with Dickinson-A Dead Shot
who Missed his Mark.

Dickinson was a promising young man
belonging to a highly respectable family
in Nashville, and the junior OF Jackson by
several years. Attached to different and
hostile faction, ne imagined rivalry where
none really existed, and Icing in the habit
of drinking too freely, occasionally made
remarks which would not bear repetition.
OF course they were repeated, aud to the
one of all others most deeply Interested.
When the first offence of this sort tran
spired, Jackson went to Dickinsons faith.
er n .law, told what he had heard, and
begged him to guard, if possible, against a
similar occurrence in the future. The
warning was of no avail, for when the
wine was agaiu in the ascendant Dickin-
son threw out the same 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 Iar as Jack
son was concerned, lay in the fact that
Dickinson had spoken i'll of Mrs. Jackson.
Dickinson was a 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 skillful, and never enter
tanned a doubt as to the result of the com
bat. The arr angement was that when the
word was given they could fire as soon as
they pleased. Jackson, knowing Dickin-
son't superior quickness with his weapon
resolved not to attempt to get the first
fire, but to take the chances for a second.
The instant the signal was shouted
| Dickinson fired. The dust flew from the
breast of the loose fitting black trock coat
which jackson wore, but he stood there
like a pillar of adamant, apparently un-
harmed. Dickinson started back in hor-
ror and amazement, exclaiming, My God |!
have | missed him?' His stern aud un-
relenting antagonist 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, aud 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 mex day-barely able, for
the bullet which seemed to miss him had
really passed through the feshy part of
| the breast and cut the breast bone. His
SHOES were lull vi ulUOu WHGu hC WaihCu
from the fatal field but he concealed the
fact, as he said, because he did not want
Dickinson to have the Satisfaction of know
ing that he hit him at ALL" In answer to
the question how he could, after receiving
such a shock, retain his steadiness of
nerve, he replied II believe | should
have killed him had he shot me through
the brain"
The wound never healed properly; was
the occasion of frequent hemorrhages in
later years and ultimately caused his
death.
There is no evidence going to show that
Jackson ever repented of this duel. Long
afterward-indeed, only a few weeks be-
fore he died-a friend visiting his sick
chamber happened to pick up an old pistol
lying on the mantal. The keen-eyed in
valid saw the movement, and remarked
quickly: That is the pistol with which |
Killed Mr.. Dickinson"