The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-17
OLD HIck0RY's NERVE.
Jacks0n's Duel with Dickinson..A
Dead Shot tho Missed His Mark.
[From the St. Louis Republican,

Dickinson was q promising young man
belonging to a highly respectable family
in Nashville, and the junior of Jackson
by several years. Attached to differ
ent and hostile faction, he imagined
riva;ry 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 9TH
ers 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 fu-
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 hearts
blood.
The duel ostensibly originated in
horse-race. which, by the way, was new
er run; but the animus of it, so far as
Jackson was concerned, lay in the fact
that Dickinson had spoken ill 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 skillful,
and never entertained doubt as to
the result Of the combat. The arrange
ment was that when the word was CIV
en- they could fire as soon as they
plea sed. jackson, knowing Dickinson's
superior quickness with his weapon. re-
solved not to attempt to get the first
fire. but to take the chances for Sec
ond.
The instant the signal was shouted
Dickinson fred. The dust flew from
the breast of the loose-fitting black.
frock coat which Jackson wore. but he
stood there like pillar of adamant,
apparently unharmed. Dickinson start
ed back in horror and amazement, ex-
claiming. ''My God! have l missed
ed him!' His stern and unrelenting
antagonist took deliberate aim and pull
ed the trigger, The pistol did not re-
spond. He looked and found it was
only at half cock. A second time he
took aim, and as the sharp crack ran
out amongthe silent woods where the
deadly scene was laid, Dickinson tottcr-
ed 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
fieshy part Of his body 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, ssbecause 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 shock, retain his steadi-
ness of nerve, he replied: II believe I
should have killed him had he shot me
through the brain"
This wound never healed properly;
was the occasion Of frequent he.nor-
rhages 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 he 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: 'sThat is the
pistol with which killed Mr.. Dickin-
SON -