The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-09-09
A CELEBRATED DUEL.
The Fatal Encounter Between Jack
son and Dickinson.

II UELEBKAlEU UUEL.
The Fatal Encounter Between Jack
son and Dickinson.
[From the New York SUM-
Jackson's most severe wound, and the
one that finally caused his death, was
received in his duel with Charles Dick
inson in 1906. This fatal fight grew out
of projected horse race. Gen. Jack
son was the owner of Truxton, a re-
nowned race horse, named after Com
modore Truxton, who, six years before,
had captured the French frigates LIN
surgente and La Vengeance. This horse
was matched against Capt. Joseph En-
WINS Plowboy for the Nashville races
In 1906, The stakes were $4,000, paya-
bic in notes which, it is understood,
were to become due on the day of the
race; forfeit $500. A schedule of the
notes was made. Truxton was backed
by Gen. Jackson, Maj. W. p Anderson,
Maj. VerreI and Capt. Pryor, and Plow-
boy by Capt Erwin and his son-in-law,
Charles Dickinson. Before the day APP
pointed Plowboy was withdrawn, Erwin
and Dickinson paying forfeit. In pay
ing the forfeit Capt. Erwin offered Gen.
jackson some notes that were not due.
The General declined to receive them.
He said that Maj. Verren and Capt.
Pryor were about to leave the country,
and they wanted notes that could be
turned into cash without discount.
Capt. Erwin SAID that they were the
scheduled notes. When asked for the
schedule he put his hands in his pockets
and said that he had lost it. He added
chat Mr.. Dickinson hal memorandum
of the schedule, al al for him. Dick
inson produced theA 4orandum. Jack
son insisted that the schedule notes were
to become due on the day Of the race,
and Dickinson and Erwin were confident
that they were Offering only notes that
were on the schedule. Finally Erwin
executed his own note on the house of
King Il Carson for one drawn by Robert
Thompson, which was not due, and the
matter was satisfactorily arranged.
Soon afterward Gen. jackson heard
that Charles Dickinson had spoken dis
paragingly of his wife. Dickinson was
lawyer, well connected, possessed con-
siderable property and had large circle
of friends. He was rather wild, and he
had the reputation of being the best shot
in Tennessee. Jackson took him to
task for his language, and Dickinson
apologized, saying that if he had used
such language it must have been while
he was drunk. They separated in q
friendly manner A second time Jack
son heard that Dickinson had uttered
offensive words respecting Mrs. Jackson
in a Nashville hotel. The General Wis
tied Capt Erwin, and urged him to re-
rel with him." he said, "but even in his
cups he ought to comport himself like
gentleman. My enemies in Nashville
ere urging him to pick quarrel with
me. Advise him to stop in time" Dick
inson grew more cautious, but did not
wholly restrain his tongue. Enmity
grew between the two men.
In December, 1905, Patten Anderson.
q warm friend of Gen. jackson, willie
oonversing in store in Nashville. said
that the notes offered in settlement of
the forfeit on the horse race were differ.
emit from those which Gen. jackson
agreed to receive. Dickinson heard of
this through one who was present. His
informant referred him to Thomas
Swami, Virginian, who had heard An
derson's statement. Swami confirmed
1t. A day or two afterward Swami met
Gen, jackson, and questioned him about
the notes. Swami told Dickinson that
jackson said the notes offered by Dick
nson We're schedule notes, but that
some OF those offered by Erwin were not.
On Dec. % Erwin and Dickinson called
ON Gen. jackson in Nashville. The
General denied that he cast any stigma
on Capt. Erwin, and denounced any man
who said so as a g. liar" On Jan.
3, 1906, Swami wrote jackson, saving
that Dickinson had informed him of the
offensive expression, and demanded an
explanation. jackson replied on the 7th.
Following is an extract:
"There are certain A~eits that always
accompany the gentleman and man of
truth. The moment he hears harsh ex-
pressions applied to friend he will i'm
medlately communicate it, that expla-
nahon may take place, while the base
poltroon and cowardly tale-bearer will
always act in the background. You can
apply the latter to Mr.. Dickinson. and
see which best fits him. write it for
his eye, and the latter 1 emphatically
intend for him. When the conversa-
ton dropped between Mr.. Dickinson
and myself, / thought it was at an end.
As he wishes to blow the coal, I am
ready to light it to blaze, that it may
be consumed at once and finally ex-
tinguished. The subject of the notes
was introduced by Mr.. Dickinson as an
apology for his conduct, the subject of
conversation. In Justice to Mr.. Dickin-
son request you to show him this. Be
assured L hold myself answerable for
any OF my conduct, and should any
thing herein contained give Mr.. Dickin-
son the spleen, will furnish him with
an anodyne."
Swami showed the letter to Dickin-
son, who was on the eve Of fiat-boat
voyage to New Orleans. He wrote to
jackson on January 10. Among other
things he said:
"Do you pretend to call "a man a tale
bearer for telling that which is truth and
can be proved? Mr.. Swami gave me
liberty to make use of his name. fused
it, and when ne asked what you had
said told him. The word coward is as
applicable to yourself as any one [ know.
shall be glad, when the opportunity
serves, to know in what manner you
give your anodynes, and | hope you will
take In payment one of my most mod
crate cathartics.p
On the rext day Dickinson started
down the Cumberland river on his way
to New Orleans. On Jan. II, Swami
sought an interview with jackson. As
the interview was not satisfactory. the
Virginian threatened challenge. The
General replied that If he sent him q
challenge he would cane him. Swami
declared that if he attempted it he would
instantly kill him. On the same day
Swami sent challenge by the hands OF
Nathaniel A, McNairy, The latter re-