The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-27
MECKLENBURG COUNTY.

TIE TRUTH OF HIST0RY-A VISIT TO RAN
DoLPn'S GRAvE-CONFLIcTING ACCOUNTS
TWO VERSIONS OF THE DUEL-RECOLLEC-
TONS OF AN OLD CITIZEN. ..
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa:ch.l
BUFFALo SPRINGS, Va, May 81. 1879.
John Randolph, OF Roanoke, was such
remarkable and distinguished parsonage
that everything written in regard to him is
usually read with great interest. 1t was
Sir Walter Raleigh who said that human
testimony was so unreliable that no two
men could sec the same occurrence and give
the same report OF Ii. So historians and
traditional accounts are frequently at va
rance and not often In accord. Recent OBJ
seryation impressed me with the correct
ness OF Sir Walters assertion. In Bouldin's
"Hcme "reminiscences Of Randolph" pub
lished in 1878, it says "the grave OF Mr.
Randolph was near bis dwelling house. at
the foot OF tall pine-trce, the shadows OF
which, together with the unfriendly soil,
Weyented The growth OF grass upon it,"
Gsriand, in his biography u Randolph pub
h.ded in 1854, says: Gle. was buried at
Roanoke. in the midst Of that 'Doundless
ronilguily of shade where he spent 50 many
hours Of anguish and solitude. The squirrel
may gimbol in the boughs above, the par
ridge may whistle in the long grass that
waves over that solitary grave, and none !
Shall disturb OF make them afraid.'' The |
writer was q! the grave few days ago, and it |
N situated amidst few small oaks, and there !
Il not pine tree in one hundred yards Of |
IL, and only two OF any size that observed |
N TIE lawn, and no grass OF any conSe-
qHence. There is large wbitish Stone Of |
irregular shape at the east end, and dark
colored ordinary one at the west end Of the |
grave. IL the large one indicates his head, |
then it rcvcrscs the usual mode OF inter-
ment, and the feet point to the west. Old |
people have tradition that he so requested |
10 be buried, 80 that at the day OF reSurrec-
uon he might rise facing Clay OF the West.
Now, in regard to the celebrated duel,
4arland quotes as authority Genera! james
hamilton, who states there was but one eX-
changc OF shots, and :. on the word being
gwen Mr.. Clay fired without effect, Mr..
randolph discharging his pistol in the air."
me momen, Mr. Clay saw that Mr.. Ran
aoiph had thrown away bis fire, with a
E'h OF sensiblty he instantly approached
Nc. Randolph, and said, with an emotion ]
Tan never forget: II trust in God. my dear
st, You are untouched; after what has oc-
, ,te would not have horned you for a
thousand worlds, Mr.. Benton's account,
, Salea Dir. Clay is reported to have saiG
MA, MAS strictly correct, states that there
we're two shots by both principals.
AT The first lire "Mr. Randolph's bullet
cruck the stump behind Mr. Clay, and Mr..
rtAys Knocked up he, earth and gravel be.
a,nd Dir, Randolph, both. bullets having
tone SO true and close that it was marvel Fl
~. W" ibey missed.1 At the second fire. he
ss saw him receive the fire OF Mr.. l.
s,ay saw the gravel. knocked up In the
n ysae place. saw ar. Randolph raise bis
sss Discharges it, in .thel air; heard him
n.y. ~, DO not fire az you, Mr.. C!ay, and
b ~ advancing aud offering his
n ssau. lie was met,in The same spirits They
sas, shook hands As, RandblplI''
f a5,as, laeoseiy, .oasepae1d cot,
~ ~ t we bullet bad passed through the
~ q 'sss coat very near the hip 10 bich Il