The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-01-31
Georgia DuclS.


Georgia has produced some Of the
stoutest fighters that ever went to the
field. The State was settled by Scotch
and Irish colonies, that soon produced an
amalgum-tough, stubborn and dogmatic,
and quickened with sharp infusion OF
New England blood. There has been,
since the colonial days down, tbrous,
determined assertivencss about Georgia
that always meant a great deal more than
the brittle passion Of Carolina or the
quick choler of Florida. Like the young
hercules, she founght her way from the
cradle. Her first civilization was millet
seed dropped in wilderness. An infant
colony or two, setting white faces and
Christian souls against an illimitable
forest that teemel with savages-hemmed
in by four powerful nations, when
the other States were in comparative
peace-fghting from between the plow-
shares, up and down every furrow, and
COMPRISING the staple for an epic into
the life of every day. Every man was
a hero then. The alternative was sim
ple-it was hcroism or emigration. In
those rude and gallant days no man
could succeed who was not absolutely
fearless.
To refuse to fight was to court disgrace.
doubt if there ever was enkindled on
this side of the Atlantic spirit 20 near
akin to the naughty stubbornness that
moved the English bosoms, as that which
lived in the breasts Of the earlier Geor-
gians.
There is one figure that stands out re-
freshingly cool and unique during these
troublous times. This was John NJ. Doo-
ly, the man who announced that he would
not fight under any circumstances. He
was probably the most brilliant man pro-
duced in that era, prolific Of giants. He
was the peer Of Crawford on any field,
and his superior in the legal forum. His
abilities were transcendent, and his fail
ure to make national reputation arose
doubtless, from no other cause than his
refusal to fight on any and all occasions
A non-combatant could not hold his head
up in those turbulent times. Dooly had
! the most delicious humor, and shar,
tongue, withal. He was continually get
ting into trouble because of his satiraca
sayings. He was perfectly fearless oil
speech. Judge Gresham once threatened
to chastize him. Dooly replied:
"You can do it if you like. You will
get no credit for it, however. Anybod,
can do it, and great many have done
it."
He was once knocked down by a gen
tleman that he had introduced as the in
terior Judge of an inferior court of thu
inferior county of Lincoln. He calico
Justify on the spectators for help, and
when rescued from his antagonist, rubbed
his head and remarked, dryly: "Well tina
is the forty second fight have been en-
gagged in, and it ever got the best of {
| single one l do not now remember it,
Before Dooly's peace proclivitics we're full
~ known he was challenged to morta
combat by Mr.. Tate, who came to tn,
field with Mr.. W. H. Crawford as his sec
ond. Dooly accepted the challenge. Tat,
had lost one leg and wore wooden ono
When he and his friend reached the tielt
they found Dooly alone, sitting on +.
stump.
"Where is your friend?'' asked Craw
ford, in some surprise. HE is in thu
woods, sir"
"And will be present in a moment, sir
I supposc?' said Crawford. Eyes, as soor
as he can find a bec-gum."
inlay inquire what he wants with ;
bee-gum?' why, want to put my lee
it it. Do you suppose l can afford t
risk my leg of flesh against Tate's leg O.
wood! II l hit his leg, he will get an
other tomorrow and peg away as usual
If he hits mine, he may kill me, or com.
pei me to stump it like him for the bal
ance Of my life. No, sir; 1 must have
gum. Then I will he Just as much
wood as he is, and he will be on equa
terms"
II understand you, Col. Dooly; you d.
not intend to fight" "Why, really, Col
Crawford, I thought everybody knew
that"
VERY we'll, sir; but remember, Colonel
your name in no enviablc light will FL
the columns of a newspaper morrow
II assure you, my dear sir, I had rather
fill every column in every newspaper il
Georgia than one coffin"
This precedent served for a duel il
Georgia only few years since. A cal
lenge passed between Col. Farrow an6
Mr.. NJ. A. Nevin. The latter was one
legged man, and the former objected te
meeting him on that Accountant taking
however, the same practical view of tn,
matter that Dooly did. He objected il
accordance with a provision Of the code
MIR. Nevin, therefore, offered to allow Col
Farrow to enclose one of his legs ina bee
gum. The matter was finally adjusted by