Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-06-24
Old Hick0ry's Pistols.

3D., who has been writing some in
teresting "reminiscences for the Frank
lin (Ky.) Patriot, contributes this to the
last issue:
saw some time ago brace of duel
ling pistols, in the possession of
Thomas Rutherford, of Sumner county,
Tennessee. They were steel barrels,
futed within, and highly ornamented
with silver.
The history 1 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 the Chief Ex-
ecutive of the nation, it was his GUS
tom to have some one to take his place
in the dirty street broils which might
come up.
At the time to which I refer, one
Ferguson was the mana regular
knock down and-drag out sort of a
fellow. dreaded by all who were ever so
unfortunate as to come in contact with
him.
An uncle of Colonel 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 were his.
Before Mr.. X. left Nashville he
learned the character of the man with
whom he had traded, was told that if
he ever asked for the money or the note
which he had received for the horses
Ferguson would whip him.
1t happened that Rutherford was a
rough customer-nothing suited him
better than ground scuffie 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 the blow followed. Never
was a man more soundly thrashed than
Ferguson was on that occasion; in fact,
he was supposed to he dead for time.
This aroused the Generals sympathies
for his man who had received such a
cudgeling, and to resent it was his first
impulse, but in fisticnff he would be
only a child in r. IS hands, and SO chal-
lenged him to fight duel next morn
ing, distance ten PAGES.
Though r. had no experience with
firearms, he instantly accepted the
challenge.
At the appointed hour all parties
were at the place of rendezvous. All
preliminaries made, the distance mea-
sured, the positions taken, the words
one-two-at this juncture Jackson,
who was dead shot, having eyed his
antagonist closely, saw there was no
fiinching in him, but that he was as
cool and deliberate as if nothing was
occurring, stepped forward and ad-
dressed Rutherford 'By the Eternal,
sir, 1 would despise myself to sacrifice
such noble material as you are made
of. Sir,please accept these pistols from
one who ever admires true courage and
pluck, such as you have to-day demon
strated, and accept them from me as an
evidence of my high appreciation of
you as q man who dares to defend his
rights.
General Jackson paid the money due
on Ferguson's note. Ever afterward
the Rutherford family have been Jack
sons warmest supporters, and none
lamented his death more than they.
The pistols will be kept in the family
forever as priceless souvenirs.