Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-12

A Souvenir of Gen. Jack son, which n
Tennessee Family has reason TO
value.
ID" who has been writing some inter
esting "reminiscences for the Franklin
(Ky.) Patriot, contributes this to the last
issue:
saw, sometime ago, brace of duel
ing pistols, in the possession of Thos.
Rutherford, of SHmner county, Tennes-
see. They were steel barrels, huted
within, and highly ornamented with
silver.
The history ] received of them was as
follows:
Many years before the brilliant tri-
umphs of the war had lifted General
jackson high above all competitors into
the Presidential Chair as Chief Execu-
tive Of the nation, it was his custom to
have some one to take his place in the
dirty street broils which might come up
At the time to which refer, one Fer
guson was the man, regular knock
down and drag-out sort of fellow, dread
ed by all who we're ever so unfortunate
as to come in contact with him.
An uncle of Col Rutherford, by the
same name, visited Nashville to sell
fine pair of match horses Ferguson
offered to purchase them on short
credit, and to give General jackson as
security. This arrangement was made
and the horses we're his.
Before Mr. r. left Nashville, he learned
the character of the man with whom he
had traded, and was told that if he ever
asked for the money or note he had re-
ceived for the horses, Ferguson would
whip him.
1t happened that Rutherford was a
rough customer-nothing suited him bet
ter than ground scuffle in defense of
his rights, and so he was impatient for
the day of the coming conflict
Early on the morning the note fell
due, Rutherford visited Nashville-saw
the same man f., presented his note for
payment telling him at the same time
what he had heard of him, and further
said to him that, if he didn't pay the
money right away, he would thrash him
like dog.
A word and blow followed. Never
was man more soundly thrashed than
Furguson on that occasion; in fact, be
was supposed to be dead for a time. This
aroused the Generals sympathies for his
man who had received such cudgeling,
and to resent it was his first impulse, but
in a fsticuff he would be only child in
RS hands, and so challenged him to
fight duel the next morning. distance
ten PAGES.
Though r. had no experience with
firearms he instantly accepted the chal-
ienge
At the appointed hour all parties were
at the place of rendezvous. All prelim-
inaries made, the distance measured, the
positions taken, the words one-two-at
this iuncture Jackson, who was a dead
shot, having eyed his antagonist closely
saw there was no hinching in him, but
that he was as cool and deliberate as if
nothing unusual was occurring, stepped
forward and addressed Rutherford by
the eternal sir, | would despise myself
to sacrifice such noble material as you
are made Of Sir, please accept these
from one who ever admires true courage
and pluck, such as you have to-day dem
onstrated; and accept them from me as
an evidence of my high appreciation of
you as man who dares to defend his
rights"
General Jackson paid the money due
on Ferguson's note. Ever afterwards
the Rutherford family have been Jack
sons warmest supporters, and none la
mented his death more than they. The
pistols will be kept in the family forever
as priceless souvenirs