Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-07-24
PRESIDENT J4CKSON'.S WIFE.


There is not to be found in the pages OF
history or Of romance an instance OF more
chivalrous affection and constant, selfsac-
rihciug devotion than was illustrated in
Andrew Jackson's uniform conduct to-
wards Rachel Dennison. lie married her
under peculiar circumstances. Her first
husband was, from all accounts, man of
violent temper and unbounded caprice,
with whom it was utterly impossible for
anybody, however well disposed, to live
In peace. Afler one or two separations aud
reunions, they finally parted permanently,
and II was soon alter this event that Jack
son-then poor and unknown lawyer in
the back woods village of Nashville-asked
her to share his rather unpromsng for
tunes. A divorce was procured through
what was thoughtto be the proper channel,
and Il ey were united. The first months of
their welded life were spent in Nalchez,
aud not until their return to Tennessee
was it known that the court which granted
the divorce had no authority Il execute
such an instru ment-which we believe, as
the law then stood, could only issue from
the Legislature of Virginia. But be this
as it may, the legal forms were at last full
ly complied with, and to put an end-as it
was hoped-to all possible misconstruc-
ton, the marriage cermony was again per-
formed. Had Jackson remained an OBJ
scurs man, the matter would never have
been revived, but as soon as he took the
first steps in the career which was TO land
him in the presidential chair, jealousy un-
loosed the hands of calumny, and enemies
who could find no nobler plan of attack,
struck at him through the bosom of his
wife. This was a sin which he never could
and never would forgive; and whoever
had breathed a word against the fair fame
OF that idolized object, might feel assured
of having made an eternal and inexorable
foe of one who came fairly up to the john
sonian standard of good hater." The
duel with Dickinson, had its real origin here.
Dickinson was promising young man,
belonging TO highly respectable family in
Nashville, and the Junior of Jackson by
several years. Attached to a different and
hostile faction, he imagined a rivalry where
none really existed, and, being in the hab-
1t OF drinking too freely, occasionally made
remarks which would not bear re, ettlOn.
| or course they were repeated, and to the
one of all others most deeply interested.
When the first offense of this sort trans
| pired, Jackson went to Dicknsou's father
in-lsw, told what he had heard, and beg
ged hid, TO guard, if possible, against a
similar occurrence in the future. The
warning was of no avail, for when the
wine was again in the ascendant, Dickin-
son threw out the same slurs and this time
they cost him his Lelrl's blood. The duel
ostensibly originated in horse race, which,
by the way, was never run but the ami
mus of II, so far as Jackson was concern
ed, lay in the fact that Dickinson had spok-
en- i'll of Mrs. Jackson. 1t is unnecessary
to repeat all the details OF the meeting,
which, was indeed, as the Post says, zone
of the most terrible on record" Dickin-
son was a dead shot, could hit 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 skilful, and never entertained doub
as to the combat. The arrangement was
that when the word was given they coulC
fire as soon as they pleased. Jackson
knowing Dickinson's superior quickness
with his weapon, resolved not to attemp
TO get the first fire, but to take the chance,
for a second. The instant the signal was
shouted Dickinson fired. The dust flew
from the breast of the loose fitting black
frock coat which Jackson wore, but hi
stood there like pillar of adamant appar
emily unharmed. Dickinson started bach
in horror and amazement, exclaiming
"My God have l missed him2" His sterr
and unrelenting antagonist took deliberate
aim aud pulled the trigger. The pistol die
not respond. He looked and found it wal
only at haE-cock. A second time he tool
aim, and, as the sharp crack rang ou
among the silent woods, where the deadly
scene was laid, Dickinson tottered and fe
into the arms of bis friend. He died tn,
same night. Jackson was able to noun
his horse and ride home next day-barely
able, for the bullet, which seemed to mis-
him, had really passed through the feshy
part Of his breast and cut the breast. bone