San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-07
Old Hiekory's Challenge.

A curious relic Vi hnuioW Juchbon
INST found its way into print
iaS as the New York Ledger, to
rh;cb paper it was sent by a grand
sanshter of Jackson's antagonist. II
y rSIated in Parton's Life of Jack
IN" that when Old Hickory was a
W. Hickory, just 81 years of age,
~ fought the first duel of his life
18th Colonel Wrightstill Avery, n
Vsry distinguished member of the
hsr of North Carolina. Young Jack
s"n had a criminal case before the
sOnrt at Jonesboro, in which he was
Sseply interested, Colonel Avery being
Snunsel on the other side. In the
Sonrse of the trial, Avery was severe
IN his comments upon some of the
leaal positions taken by the young
LAWYER, and used language which he
afterward admitted was too personal
and sarcastic.
On the second morning of the
trial, Jackson, acutely mortified by
tbe repetition of the offense, tore a
Hank leaf from a law book, wrote a
challenge upon it and gave it to his
antagonist with his own hands.
This challenge, yellow with it's
ninety-fve years, is as follows:
AUGUST IL, 1888.
"SR-When a mans feelings and
character are injured, he ought to
seek speedy redress. You reed a
few lines from me yesterday, and un-
doubtedly you understand me. My
character you have injured, and fur
tber, you have insulted me in the
presence of a court and large audi
ence. l therefore call on you to give
me an answer Immediately without
equivocation, and hope you can do
without dinner until the business is
done; for it is consistent with the
character of a gentleman, when he
INJURIES a man, to make immediate
reparation; therefore hope you will
not fail in meeting me this day from
VI. Hbl. st,
ANDREW JACKSON.
Sol. Avery.
"P. S.-This evening after court is
adjourned.
The duel was not fought before
dinner as the impetuous young advo-
cate desired, since Col. Avery could
not immediately "fnd a friend" 1t
occurred just after sunset. Fortu-
nately, neither was hit, and they left
the ground good friends.
The Great Cattle Ranches of Texas.
Thoroughbred Stock Journal
Very few of our readers will con-
ceive the Importance Of the Texas
trade in cattle and magnitude of her
ranch system without the aid Of the
statistics. The following from the
Chicago Tribune furnishes key to
the Importance of the Texas cattle in
terests: The Northwest Texas Cattle
Raiser's Association has been in ses-
sion for three days at Fort Worth.
The organization has q membership
of 223, who own from 1000 to 10000
cattle, and represent q grand total of
100000 cattle. There are several
who can boast of the ownership of
from 100000 to 10000 head, and four
teen who lay claim to over 10000.
Among the first from the North to
embark in the ranching business in
Texas were the Harold Bros, who
went from Bloomington, Illinois, In
the fall of 1875.-The aggregate of
their worldly possessions amounted
to $4,000. This sum they invested
in Greer and Tom Green counties,
starting out with $500 cattle. To-day
they are owners of 10000 head, and
are reputed to be worth at least
Sl,50O,O00. During the season OF
1882 they sold 10000 and this year
they expect to brand $4,000 calves.
For the last six years they have been
grading up with Shortho1ns and Here
lords, and have now one of the best
herds in the State.
The largest ranch in the State is
that of Charles Goodnight, located at
the head of Red river. He began
buying land four years ago, securing
10000 acres at 30 cents per acre.
In the meantime the price has ad-
Vanced from 81 to 81 per acre, but
ne is still buying, and now CONTROLS
100000 acres. To inclose his landed
possessions, $50 miles of fencing is
required. Mr.. Goodnight has a herd
OF 10000 cattle. 1t is not the largest
IN the State, but is generally conceded
to be the finest, having been graded up
up with usual care.-The superiority