The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-01-29
SAM HOUsrON,s DUKL.
MoIding Bullets Before Daylight and
Fighting ag Sunri6e.

Simpson county, though peaceful
enough in these latter days, was In ITS
earlier history the scene OF rencountIes
that have passed into history. Within
its borders, or adjacent thereto, the
hot-blooded Tennesseeans were wont
to settle their affairs OF honors, and the
crack of the duelIsts' pistols not unfre.
quently resounded IN its quiet forests.
Near Adairville, in the edge of 'Logan
county, General Jackson fought Dlci-.
enson for the honor of the woman BE
loved, and stood like statue after
struck by his antagonists shot. Il was
on this occasion that he proved his iron
will by telling his second that s'had he
been shot through the heart he would
have lived long enough to kill his an-
tagonist."
Six miles south of Franklin, on tha
farm of Fl. j. Duncan, 200 yards from
the Tennessee line, was fought due.
which created wide spread excitement
throughout the Union, owing to the
reputation of the principals. In 1890
Gen. Sam Houston was member 81
Congress from the Nashville district of
Tennessee, and sending heme for dit
tribution among his constitueuts num-
Der of public documents, he claimed
that Curry, the postmaster at Nashville.
suppressed and failed to deliver them.
and denounced him as q scoundrel..
For this Curry sent him challenge by
Gen. White. Houston refused To re-
ceive the message, as he stated, "from
such contemplate source throwing
1t on the ground and stamping on IT,
o0u. WhIt0 said nv Was not sur ]@.z
as no one expected Houston toh96t.
To this Houston retorted, 'Do you tf1
me-" OF course q challenge followed
from White, which Houston prompil4
accepted. The terms and Conditions
were: ''Fifteen feet distance; holster
pistols; time, sunrise" The plaza
chosen, as stated, was in Simpson
county. On the twenty-third Of Sep
tember, 1925, the parties met 81 th1
designated point with their seconds.
The fact that a duel was to be fougAf
had gone abroad, and number OF peg
sons had fecreted themselves near the
field to witness the affair, fact IN
known 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. Housfon
seeing them, and fearing an arrest.
started toward the State line with =
view Of crossing and escaping. Gen.
White called to him, General you have
killed me-" Houston then faced the
crowd, with pistol still in hand, aud
inquired il there were any otficefa 0
the law among them, and being In-
swered in tue negative he advanced TO
the side Of his late antagonist, aod
kneelIng by him took his hand, saying.
Il am very sorry for you. but goo knoH
it was forced upon me-" Gen. WhIte
replied, II know it ana forgive you.
White had been shot through just
above the hips, and the surgeons, 10
cleanse the wound OF blood, took on6'
of their old-fashioned silk handkcfs
CHS through the wound. Gen. White
recovered from his fearful wound, e.
much to the joy Of Houston as 70 him.
self.
During the week preceding the duel
Gen. Houston remained ct the home Of
Sanford Duncan, near the field. prsc-
ticing meanwhile with pistols. A.
this temporary home were two beIijRef.
ent young dogs, named for theif pug
nacious dispositions Andrew Jacksoa
and Thomas II. Benton. These were
continually fighting. Houston's poiii-
zeal sentiments leading him 10 espouse
the csuse OF the Jackson pup, who vcfy
much to his delight was constant
winner In the frays. The hour for aFIs.
ing and preparing for the duel on tbe
axr,g.f ~ tha Iaw ~vsa q .l0 T..
before that hour ..Gen. Jackson bark.
ed beneath the window o. HE admirel'l
room, awakening him. Houzron nrre7'
without disturbing his ttfendant
friends, aid began the task Of moldine
bullets with which to fight Gen. White.
As the first bullet fell from the mold
geme-cock, which be admired ncafceIf
less than he did the dog, crowed 3 lcu1.
clear note. Houston, With that ele-
ment Of superstition which fnds place
IN nearly every mind, accepted It4
early greeting Of bis friends ns hap
py omeDs, and, marking the bullet %
one side for the dog and the other ~
the chicken, made up bis Mid that
bis pistol should be loaded with Il, and
that he would 6rst FIRE that paflIc1|ef
ball At Gen. White. He affefwaEd sid
that she wac not supersiticua. b1
these two circumstances made him lei
assured Of success, thus proving bic
own words. The bullet was ufed and
White fell at the FIRST Ere, as lf1sc1.
After the duel Houston selected ne
coat-of-srms "a chicken cock sd
dog, " and many were the commenls
made By those unfsmsliaF with tbs iacl6
IN after years, when, as Pfesident 81
Texss and Senator in Congress. BE
sporsed 90 ssrahee cretf. These fkftt
are suthentie, having been related b7
Gen. Houston 70 Sanford Duncan. r..
late Of Louisville, while the two were
en- route 70 Washington City dnrIn4
Houston's term - senstoF.