The Osceola times., 1880-01-17
SAM Hot ST0N'S nj lEL.
Bullets Before Daylight aud
Fighting at sunrise.

SAM HUI STUN y III Eb.
Moulding Bullet. Before Daylight aud
Fighting at sunrise.
Bowling Green InteliecDcer,
Simpson county, thongh peaceful
enough in these latter days. was in its
earlier history the scene of rencounters
/ that have passed into history. Within
/ lis borders, or adjacent thereto, the hot
blooded Tenncsseeans were wont to set
tie their affairs of honor, and the crack
of the duelists' pistols not unfrequently
resouned in its quiet forests. Near Ad-
airville, in the edge of Logan county,
Gen. Jackson fought Dickinson for the
honor of the woman he loved, and stood
like a statute after been struck by his
antagonists shot. II was on this occa-
sion that he proved his iron will, by tell
ing his second that had he been shot
through the heart, he would have lived
long enough to kill his antagonist"
Six miles south of Franklin, on the
farm of III. J. Duncan, 200 yards from the
Tennessee line, was fought duel which
created wide spread. excitement through
out the Union, owing to the reputation
of the principals. In 1926, Gen. sam
Houston was member of Congress from
the Nashville district in Tennessee, and
sending home for distribution among
his constituents number of public docu-
ments, he claimed that Curry, the post
master at Nashville, suppressed and fail
ed to deliver them, and denounced him
as a scoundrel. For this Curry sent him
a challenge by Gen. White: Houston
refused to receive the message, AZ he
. 81 .fab IA a
source" throwing il 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-
torted, "Do you try me-" OF course a
challenge followed from White, which
Houston promptly accepted The place
chosen, as stated, was in simpson county.
On the 23d day of September, 1926, the
parties met at the designated peint with
their seconds. The fact that duel was
to be fought had gone abroad, and a
number of persons had secreted them
selves near the field to witness the affair,
a 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 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 and inquired i
there were any officers of the law among
them, and being answered in the mega
tive he advanced to the side of his lat,
antagonist and kneeling by him took hi
hand, saying, 81 am sorry for you. IN
YOU know that it was forced upon me.
Gcn. White replied, "lknow it, and for
give YOU" White hadsbeen shot through
Just above the hips, and the surgeons L
clensc the wound Of blood took one q
their fashioned silk handkerchief
through the wound. Gen. White re
covered from his fearful wound a. u dcl
to the ioy of Houston as to himself
During the week preceding the due
Gen. Houston ramained at the home o
Sanior Duncan, near the field, prlcticin;
meanwhile with pistols. At his tempo
rary home were two belllgeren
young dogs, named for their pugnaciou
dispositions Andrew Jackson and Thos
Ii. Benton. These were continual,
fighting. lIouston's political sentiment
leading him 10 espouse the cause of th'
his delight was a constant winner in tn,
frays The hour for arising and prepar
ing for duel on the arrival of the day wa
$40 a. IN. Just before that hour Gen
jackson" barked beneath the window o
his admirers room, awakening him
Honston arose without disturbing his at
tending friends, and began the task q
moulding bullets with which to fgh
Gen. White. As the first bullet fell from
the mould game-cock, which he I'D
mired scarcely less than he did the dog
crowed loud, clear note. Houston aros,
with that element of superstition which
finds place in nearly every mind, ac
cepted the early greeting of his friends
as happy omens, and marking the bulle
on one side for the dog and the othel
for the chicken, made up his mind tha
his pistol should be loaded with it, ant
that he would first fire that particular
ball at Gen. White. He afterward sale
that he was not supcrstitous, but thes,
two circumstances made him feel ASSURE
of success, thus disproving his owl
words. The bullet was used and White
fell at the first fire, a. stated. After the
duel Houston selected as a coat-of-arm
"a chicken cock and dog" and man,
were the comments made by those un
familiar with the facts in after years
when, as president of Texas and senator
in congress, he sported 30 strange I
crest. These facts are authentic, having
been related by Gen. Houston 10 San
ford Duncan, yr., late Of Louisville, whil'
the two were en- route to Washington
city during IIoustons term when sena
tor.