The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-23
Old Hickory's Pistols.

I'D" )" who has been writing some interesting
"reminiscences for the Franklin, (Ky.) Patriot
contributes this to the last issue:
saw some time ago brace of dueling
pistols, in the possession of Thomas Ruther-
ford, of Sumter county, Tennessee. They were
steel barrels, futed t;ithin, and highly orna-
mented with silver. The history received Of
them was as follows:
Many years before the brilliant triumphs
of the war had lifted General Jackson high
above all competitors into the Presidential
chair as Chief Executive of the nation, it was
his custom 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 man, regular knock down and dragout 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
a short credit and to give General Jackson as
security. This arrangement was made, and
the horses were his. Before Mr.. r. left Nash
Vile he learned the character of the man with
whom he had traded, and was told that if he
eyer asked for the money or note he had re-
ceived for the horses Ferguson would whip
him.
1t happened that Rutherford was rough
misunderstanding suited him better than q
ground scufie 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., and presented his note for pay
ment telling him at the same time what he
had heard Of him, and further said to him that,
ifhe didn't pay the money right away, without
a murmur, he would thrash him like q dog.
A word and the blow followed Never was {.
man more soundly thrashed than Ferguson was
on that occasion; in fact, he was supposed to
be dead for a time. This aroused the Generals
sympathies for his man who had received such
a cudgeling, and to resent it was his first i'm
pulse, but in fsticuff he wonld be only a
child in RS. hands, and so challenged him to
fghta duel the next morning, 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 measured the positions taken, the
words one-two-at this juncture, jackson,
who was dead shot, having eyed his antagon-
ist closely, saw there was no finching in him,
but that he was as cool and deliberate as II
nothing unsual was occurring, stepped forward
and addressed Rutherford as follows by the
Eternal, sir, 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 demonstrated; and accept them
from me as evidence of my high apprecia-
tion ofyou as man who dares to defend his
rights"
General Jackson paid the money due on
Ferguson's note. Ever afterwards the Buther-
ford family have been Jackson's warmest sup
porters, and none lamentcd his death more
than they. The pistols will be kept in the
family forever as priceless souvenirs.