St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-01-10

MOULDING BULLETS BEFORE DAYLIGHT
AND FIGHTING AT SUNRISE.
bowling Green Intclligcnccr.1


enough in these latter days, was in its
that have passed into history. Within
its borders, or adjacent thereto, the
hot-blooded Tcnncsseeans were wont
to settle their affairs of honor, and the
crack of the duelists' pistol not unfre-
qucntly resounded in its quiet forests.
Near Auairviilc, in the edge of Logan
county, General Jackson fought Dick
son for the honor OF the woman he loved,
and stood like a statue after being
struck by his antagonists shot. 1t was
on this occasion that he proved his iron
will by telling his second that had he
been shot Though the heart, he would
have lived long enough to kill his
antagonist"
Six miles south of Franklin, on the
farm Of Ii. j. Duncan, two hundred yards
from the Tennessee line, was fought IL
duel which created widespread excite
mcnt throughout the union, owing to
the reputation of the principals. In
1926 Gen. Sam Houston was Il member
of congrcss from the Nashville district
in Tennessee, and sending home, for
distribution among his constituents, q
number Of public documents, he claimed
that Curry, the postmaster at Nashville,
and denounced him as a scOunarel. For
this Curry sent him IA challenge by Gen.
White. Houston refused to receive the
message, as he stated, from such a
contemplate source" throwing it on
the ground and stamping on it.
Gen. White said he was not surprised,
as no one expected Houston to fight.
To this Houston re sorted, "Do you try
me-" OF course IL challenge followed
from White which Houston promptly
accepted. The terms and conditions
were, Fifteen feet distance; holster
pistols; time, sunrise" The place chosen
as stated, was in Simpson county. On
the esd day of September, 1896, the
parties met at the designated point with
their seconds. The fact that Il duel
was to be fought had gone abroad, and
Il number OF persons had secreted them
selves near the field to witness the affair,
Il fact unknown to either principals or
seconds. After the first shots had been
exchanged and White had fallen to the
ground the people rushed to the spot.
Houston seeing them, and fearing an
arrest, started toward the State line
with view OF crossing and escaping.
General White called to him, General,
you have killed me-"
pistol still in hand, and inquired il there
we're any officers of the law among them,
and being answered in the negative he
advanced to the side of his late antagO-
mist, and kneeling by him took his hand,
saying, am very sorry for you, but
you know that it was forced upon me-"
Gen. White replied, IL know it and
forgive you" White had been shot
through just above the hips, and the
surgeons to cleanse the wound OF blood
took one OF their old-fashioned silk
neckerchiefs through the wound. Gen.
White recovered from his fearful wound
as much to the joy OF Houston as to
himself.
During the week preceding the duel,
Gen. Houston remained at the home of
Sanford Duncan, near the field, practic-
| ing meanwhile with pistols. At this
temporary home were two belligerent
young dogs named for their pusnacious
disposition Andrew jackson and Thomas
Ell. Benton. These were continually
fighting, Houston's political sentiments
| leading him to espouse the cause OF the
jackson pup, who very much to his de-
light was a constant winnerin the trays.
| The hour for arising and preparing for
| the duel Oh the arrival Of the day was
| $40 "a. IN. just before that hour Gen.
jackson barked beneath the window
| of his admirers room, awakening him.
| Houston arose without disturbing his
| attending friends, and began the task
of moulding bullets with which to fight
| Gen. White.
! AS the first bullet fell from the mould
game-cock, which lie admired scarce
ly less than he did the dog, crowed a
GOnd, clear note. Houston, with that
element of superstition which finds a
pl; e in nearly every mind, accepted the
early greeting OF his friends as happy
omens, and making the bullet on one
side for the dog and the other for the
chicken, made up his mind that his
pistol should be loaded with it, and that
lie would first fire that particular ball al
Gen. White.
He afterward said that g he was not
superstitious, but these two circum-
stances made him feel assured OF sue
cess" thus disproving his own words
The bullet was used and White Eel
at the first fire, as stated. After the
duel Houston selected as a coat 0f-arms
. a chicken cock and dog" and many
were the comments made by those -un.
familiar with the facts in after years
when, as president Of Texas and sena.
tor in congress, he sported SO strange 9
crest. These facts are authentic, haV.
ing been related by General Houston
to Sanford Duncan, Jr., late Of Louis
vile, while the two were en- route tt
Washington City during Illusions tern
as senator.