The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1874-09-19
OLD HIcKoRY's NERVE.
Jackson's Duel With Dickinson--A Dead
Shot Who Missed His Mark.
From the St. Louis Republican.

from the 81. Louis Republican.
| Dickinson was a promising young man
belonging to highly respectable family in
Nashville, and the junior of Jackson by
several years. Attached to different and
hostile faction, he imagined rivalry 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 others most deeply interested.
When the first offence of this sort trans
| pired, Jackson went to Dickinson;s father
in-law, told him what he had heard, and
begged him 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 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 never run;
but the animus of it, so far as jackson was
concerned, lay in the fact that Dickinson
had spoken i'll of Mr.. Jackson. Dickinson
was dead shot; could hit half dollar at
ten PAGES, kill birds on the wing, and per-
form other miraculous feats with the pistol.
He was as brave and cool as he was skill
full, 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. Jack
son knowing Dickinson's superior quickness
with his weapon, resolved not to try to get
the first fire, but to take the chances for a
second. The instant the signal was shout
ed Dickinson fired. The dust flew from
the breast of the loose-itting black frock
coat which Jackson wore, but he stood
there like pillar of adamant, apparently
unharmed. Dickinson started back in hor-
Tor and amazement, exclaiming, "My God!
Have missed him 90 His stern and unre-
lenting antagonist took deliberate aim and
pulled 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 rang 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 fleshy part of his breast,
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,
"because he did not want Dickinson to
have the satisfaction 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, he replied:
! Do.loro : suvulu nave Killed him had he
shot me through the brain.'' =
The wound never properly healed, was
the occasion of frequent hemorrhages in
later years and ultimately caused his death.
There is no evidence going to show that
Jackson ever repented of his duel. Long
afterward-indeedo only 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, "That
is the pistol with which killed Mr.. Dick
inson.'