Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-22
GENERAL JACKSON'S FIGHT WITH
THE BENTONS IN 1918.


In his eventful life Andrew Jackson
received wounds in personal encount-
ers similar to those received by Presi.
dent Garfield. His arm was shattered
in an afiray with Col. Thomas II. Ben
ton in 1913, and he was shot through
the body in n duel with Charles Dick
inson in 1906.
The afiray with Col. Benton srigin-
ated in an act of good nature on the
part of Gen. jackson. Gen. William
Carol, then a young man, had been
challenged by Jesse, n brother of
Thomas II. Benton. Despairing of
finding a suitable second in Nashville,
Curroll rode out TO the hermitage and
solicited General Jacksous services.
Jackson had been Judge of the Su-
preme Court of Tennessee and mem
ber of Congress. At first he demurred.
Carroll assured that it was no ordina-
ry quarrel. lie asserted that there
was a conspiracy to run him out of
the country. jackson made inquiries
and found that to preserve his honor
Carroll was forced to accept the chal-
lenge. He oficiated as Carroll's sec
ond. Jesse Benton was wounded a.
ingloriously as Mr.. Eesthupp in Mid
shipman Easy"
At the time of the duel Col. Benton
was in Washington trying to save
Jackson from bankruptcy. The Col.
onel, however, was enraged 20 hear
that Jackson had befriendcd his broth.
er's antagonist. He wrote him de-
nouncing his conduct in the most of.
fensive terms. The General replied
that before addressing him the Colonel
ought to have written for an expIana.
tion and not have listened to the tales
Of interested parties. Benton wrote
still more angrily, accusing Jackson
of conducting the duel il savage,
unequal, unfair auC -
Jackson heard of it apse ffT
censed. Benton's mta been
good to him when he q bov in
North Carolina His Watitude had
already prevented a encounter be.
tween the two hot-heads. This time.
however, he took fire. lie swore by
the Eternal he would horsewhip Tom
Benton the first time he met him. All
Nashville witnessed the vow.
Benton reached the city bursting
with wrath and defiance. Hearing Of
Jackson's threat he resolved to pre-
serve the peace. He would neither
seek nor fly the threatened attack.
His brother Jesse joined him before
he reached Nashville. Instead of go-
ing to the Nashville Inn, their usual
resort, they registered ut the City
Hotel. Jackson always put up at the
Nashville Inn. BY stopping at the City
Hotel. Colonel Benton fancied that he
would avoid jackson, unless he chose
to go out of his way to seek him. lie
arrived in Nashville on September 3.
1913. jackson and his friend, Col.
Coffee, rode into town that same after.
noon, and put up at the Nashville
Inn. Colonel Coffee smilingly re-
marked that they had come to get
their letters. About Q o'clock on the
next morning the Colonel proposed to
General jackson that they should
stroll over TO the postoiFice. They
started. The General had n riding
whip in his hand. There we're two
ways of reaching it from the Nash.
vile Inn. One way was across the
angle of the square, and the other
way was TO keep the sidewalk and go
around. Coffee and Jackson took the
short cut. When about halfway be-
tween the inn and the postoffice, Cof.
fee observed Colonel Benton standing
in the doorway Of the City Hotel. lie
was drawn up TO his full height, and
was looking daggers at them. do
you see that fellow 2" said Coffee to
jackson.
"Oh, yes" the General replied with
out turning his head, II have my eye
on him."
They went 20 the postofiice and got
their letters. On their return they
kept down the sidewalk. Col. Benton
had posted himself at the front door
of the City Hotel. His brother jesse
stood near him.
Parton describes what followed
"On coming up TO where Col. Ben.
ton stood, Jackson audaciously turned
toward him, whip III hand, saying
Now, you did rascal, I'm going 10
punish you. Defend yourself
Benton put his hand In his breast