The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-01-29
Jacksou's Nerve In the Duel,

,s.as - New York Ledger.l esi4, Il
Il do not suppose that among all bis
truest friends there was to be found one
who would say that Andrew jackson
ever sought to cultivate the spirit OF
meekness Wayward, headstrong, and
mischievous in his boyhopd and early
youth, his opening manhood was sway
ed by passions strong and deep. and in
middle age bis own indomiLable will was
the law when he could make it so, Such
man must needs have enemies; aud he
had them most bitter and Malignant
In 1906 he was merclsssly attacked by
Charles Dickinson, of Nashville Know.
ing Dickinson's reckless, malevolent
character, Jackson's enemies sought to
make use of him to fret and worry their
powerful oppoaent. Jackson knew this,
and he went TO a man who was friend
of both parties. and asked him to beg
Of Dickinson to desist "If he does
not" said Jackson, sit shall be worse
for him
But instead of -desisting, Dickinson
became more and more abu i've, and Est
satisfied with maliguing Jackson him
self, he opened his battery OF foul SIAN
der upon Jacksorl's wife ? This was too
much-it was "the last ounce upon the
camel's back hut the challenge came
not yet. NDtuntil Di' kinson had writ
ten. and published broadcast over the
South and West, the most scurrilous,
false and wicked ISLANDERS against the
growing man, and had in every way pro.
voked hot wrath, did Jackson challen ge
him The. parties met on the morning
OF. May 20, upon the, banks of the Red
river. in Logan .county, Kentucky, to
tight with pistols al the distance of eight
PAGES. :iis-oi .a;aG
o Not only was Charles Dickinson one
Of the most expert pistol shots in the
country, but it was known that he had
spent several hours OF each day, for
more than two weeks, in preparation fol
this duel. His plan was to Gre at the
first breathing of the word. and he fell
sure he should kill his man; such was
his purpose, as he had declared it bold,
ly and freely. 70 - : ~ '+''' 2 q '.i'
General Overturn was Jackson's sec
ond, and hei won. by toss, the privi
lege of giving the word. Jackson's Goa
was buttoneti el8se up!to the chin, bul
sat upon him loosely. Dickinson aimee
with cool precision atstheF spot beneath
which he supposed his antagonists
heart was pulsaling, and at the very firs
sound OF the word he fred Very like
| ly his ball struck in exact obedience te
his aim, but the looseness of the Goa
had deceived him Jackson bad stood
| in a quartering position, and the bnlle
Of his adversary struck and broke rib
and then raked the whole width of th'
breast bone; but the strong man neve
finched, ,aneyer wsvered-thsre was no
so much as q quiver in any feature -
Dickinson saw and turned pale, for Jack
son had not yet fred Good --- ?
he gasped. .'Haye / missed him 2"a
At that moment Jackson fired, ant
Charles Dickinson fell-fell to die, ant
4 uCtCI w AuOWs puot .AdC uou sbONOtClI
wounded the man whom he 80 mortal,
hated. When Jackson's friends fount
that be was wounded, and had seen hov
badly, said his surgeon:I
"In mercy's name, General. how coul
you endure that frightful shock, an,
never show it2'
a+"Because,' answered jackson, g
knew that Charles Dickinson considere,
himself the best shot in the Unite,
States, and I knew that be had com
upon the ground fully determined to xii
me. ! did not mean that he shoul,
know he had bit me. would not Civ
him that satisfaction. Had his bulle
gone through my heart, so firm an
strong was my will, 1 believe shoul
have shot him before shudder or quiv
| er had shaken nerve ia my body"
! Even as Dickinson's bullet struck, th
surgeon decided that the upward varis
tion of an eighth of an inch would has
sent it between the ribs and into tn
heart. The superabundance ofcoat up
On Jackson's breast had led his antage
nist's aim Just that much further toi
ward, A narrow chance for the fitur
| President 3, C. JR,