The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-03-04
Sam TJouSton's Duel.

simpson comfy, lnOu1N IlCiNClul
enough in these latter days, was in its
earlier history the scene Of rcncountcrs
that have passed into history. Within
it's borders, or adjacent thereto, the hot
bIooded Tenncssenaus were wont to s,t-
tie their affairs Of honor, and the c.a,i,
Of the duelists pistol not untrclneuty
rcsounded in its quiet forests. Near
Adlirvillc, in the edge of Logan county,
Gen. jackson fought Dickson for che
honor of the woman he loved, and stood
like Il statue after being struck by his
antagonists shot. 1t was on this occa-
sion that he proved his iron will by tell
ING his second that chad he been shot
through the heart he would have lived
long enough to kill his antagonist"
Six miles south of Franklin, oil the
farm of VI. J. Duncan, two hundred
yards from the Tennessee line, was
fought duel which created widespread
excitement throughout the Union, ow-
ing to the reputation of the principals.
In 1926 Gen Sam Houston was Il mem
Der of Congress from the Nashville
district, in Tennessee, and sending home
for distribution among his constituents
number of public documents, he
claimed that Curry, the postmaster at
Nashville, had suppressed and failed to
deliver them, and denounced him as Il
scoundrcl. Curry sent him a challenge
bv General White Houston refused to
receive the message, as he stated, " from
such contemplate source, throwing it
on the ground and stamping ON it.
General White said he was not surprised,
as no one expected Houston to fight.
10 this Houston rctorcd, d" DO you try
me OF course challenge followed
from White, which Houston promptly
accepted. The terms and conditions
were: " Fifteen feet distance Ao,s ,cr
pistols; time, SUNRISE The place chosen
as stated, WAS in Simpson county. On
the 23l day OF September, 1895, the
parties met at tha designated point ,.Jh
their seconds The fact that u du Was
to be fought had gone abroad, aud a
number of persons hal sccretcd them
selves near The field to witness The affair,
/ % tac. unknown to either principals or
seconds. Allrr the first shots 'tl been
,Hc,aue., and White Lau Il,leu
to the ground tie people rushed o.
| Oh. suo. Houston s.ing ,aom Wi
fearing an ato-t started toward
/ Gle Sta ..ur visa u view oi cra in-
and escaping. General White cl"
/ ID him, "irucrj, you haye bjilci W..
4 liol,t.a then facet The crowd witA 4. ,'i
/ ST j in hand, anal iuguiriug i tatc ",r
any officers OF The Iuw among Il. n, and
being answered ia the negative, Ae a.-
yauovd 60 tAc side Of his ,A.e antagonist
and ,ucelng 10y him took his hand, say
inc, Il am very sorry for YOU but YOU
know it was forced upon me- Cen
! White replied, 81 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-fashioncd silk neckcrchicfs
and passed it through the wound. Gen.
White recovered from his fearful wound
as much to the JOY OF Houston Us to
himself
During the week preceding the duel
General Houston remained at the house
of Sanford Duncan, near the field,
practicinG meanwhile pistols. Al his
temporary home were two belligereut
young dogs, named for their pugnlcious