Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-19
OLD HICKORY,s NERVE.
JacksOn's Duel with DickfnsOn-A
Dead Shot who Missed HIS Mark.

From the ST. Louis Republican,
Dickinson was promising young man
belonging to highly respectable family
in Nashville, aud the junior of Jackson
by several years. Attached to differ
erent and hostile faction, he imagined a
rivalry where none really existed, and
being in the habit of drinking toe freely,
occasionally made remarks which would
not bear repetition. Of course they
were repeated, and to the one of all
others most deeply interested.
When the first offense 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 tu-
ture. The warning was of no avail, for
when the wine was again in the ascend
ant Dickinson threw out the same slurs
and this time they cost him his heart S
blood.
The duel ostensibly originated in a
horse-race, 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 half dollar at ten PAGES, kill
birds on the wing, and perform other
marvellous feats with the pistol. He was
as brave and cool as he was skillfal, and
never entertained doubt as to the result
of the combat. The arrangement was
that when the word was given they could
fire as soon as they pleased. Jackson,
knowing Dickinson's 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 fred. The dust few from the
breast Of the loose fitting black frock
coat which Jackson wore, but he stood
there like a pillar of adamant, appa-
rently unharmed. Dickinson started
back in horror and amazement, ex-
claiming, my God have | missed
himw 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 ran 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 heshy
part of his body and cut the breast bone
His shoes were full of blood when he
walked from the fatal field; but he con
cealed the fact, as he said, " because he
did not want Dickinson to have the sat
isfaction of knowing that he had hit him
at all" In answer to the question how
he could, after receiving such shock
retain his steadiness OF nerve, ne re
Piled II believe l should have killed
him had he shot me through the brain. .
This wound never healed properly
was the occasion of frequent hemorrha
ges In 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 a few
weeks before be died-a friend visiting
his sick chamber happened to pick up an
old pistol lying on the mantel. The
keen-eyed invalid saw the movement
and remarked quietly: That is the
pistol with which killed Mr.. Dickinson.