Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-10

Gibson. the surgeon who had been engaged to
attic nd the party to the field. DR.. Gibson thrust
his arm into mine and hurried me into the
house l Immediately noticed drop of
blood on his gaiter and as soon as we entered
the passage he exclaimed: ''My God Dr.. john
son Is killed." The writer then learned that
shortly after he left the night before the other
side had withdrawn their objections and accepted
the terms precisely as proposed. and insisted
upon an immediate meeting; that they had gone
out at daylight, each party accompanied only
by his second and surgeon, and had sought to
find the famous old Bladensburg dueling
ground, where Decatur fell. not being aware it
had been long since abandoned for such pur-
poses the property having been purchased by
the late JohnC. Rives. and he was at that very
time erecting his fine mansion in the immedi-
ate vicinity OF the old duelling ground. All
the parties were strangers to the neigh
oOrhoOd, and their hackmen were unable to To-
cate the ground, when. finding themselves in
view of the village of Bladensburg they select
ed ground on hill, right in sight of the village,
and proceeded to arrange for the fight. When
at the word ''Firei" Mr.. Jones quickly wheeled,
fired. and hit his adversary in the head, killing
him instantly. OF course, it was purely an acci-
dental shot, as the parties are always instructed
not to aim higher than the knee, as one is la
bic always to hit rather above than below their
aim. In the meantime, they had attracted the
attention of the people of the village and imme-
dately after the fire were surrounded by the
IT.
but DIR. Henderson and Dr. Gibson managed to
reach their hack, and after being hOtly pursued
till they crossed the District line effected their
escape. leaving the dead body and their pistols
on the field. DR.. Henderson was much con-
cerned at the necessity which required his leav-
ing the dead body on the field, and stated that
some years previously Mr.. Badger. then young
man. acted as second in duel in which his
friend was killed, which so OverpOwered him
that he fled. leaving the dead body on the field.
That while Mr. Badger was unquestion-
ably the first lawyer in his state and ranking
among the very first in the whole United States,
this act had materially retarded his advance
ment In life. While his great abilities were con-
coded. yet the people had never conferred on
him any Of the political honOrs his talent so
eminently entitled him to receive. Mr.. Badger
very few years after this ably represented his
state in the Senate of the United States. The
writer endeayOred to alIay DR.. Henderson's ap-
prehensions, and volunteered to 90 out and
bring in the dead body. DR.. Gibson enjoned
him to secure the pistols left on the field. which
had been borrowed by him for DR.. johnson
from a friend in Baltimore, who highly priced
them. Procuring hack. and with an under
taker went to the village Of Badensburg. and
there, stretched on plank, elegantly dressed.
saw. for the first time, the body of DR.. Johnson,
as handsome specimen of mankind as ever
Deheid. Obtaining the permission of the cOro-
ner to remove the body, 1t was delivered to the
undertaken taken to Washington and thence
shipped to North Carolina The pistols
l found in the hands Of the constable, who re-
fused to deliver them up. and only after resort
ing to bride. as the cheapest and least trouble
some mode could they be secured The case
had. fortunately, been left in the hack, and was
safely carried to Washington with the escaping
second and surgeon. Had it fallen into the
hands Of the police 1t would probably have been
the last seen OF it, and proved a valuable prize
TO them, as it was well stuffed with gold. The
currency of that day was not like it is at this
time The bank-noteS Of one state were at
heavy discount in another state; and DR.. j., on
leaving North Carolina. intending to settle in
New Orleans, put his funds into gold, and on
preparing for his position this gold was taken
from his person and placed in the pistol case
which was fortunately put in the hack.
THE LONG-wINDED LAWYER
The trial of MIR. Jones and his party before
the coroners Jury was proceeding at the time
of nv arrival. They had engaged the services
OF the village lawyer. who was taking the op-
portunity to make an effort to display orator.
cal powers, which the writer at once saw was
DOING the party more harm than good. and see
ing that they needed his assistance he intro
duced himself and rendered his services which
were thankfully accepted. At noon the Jury
took recess. the village lawyer not having con-
Guided his speech, the writer took the occasion
to consult with him. and asked the mode of prO-
curing a habeds corpus in case the jury should
commit the parties. He insisted that the only
way would be to send to the county town, 16 miles
distant. andT procure q writ directed
to a judge. This would necessitate the impris-
onment Of the parties till writ could be pro-
cured The cOrOner's jury reassembled, the law
yer renewed his speech. Gladly would his eli
ents have doubled his fee could they without
Ofsense have stopped his harangue The writer
learning that Judge Clement Dorsey lived only
mile from the village and was then at home, pro-
cured horse and rode out to see him. He
found that talented and genial gentleman about
sitting down to dinner. to which a hOspitable
invitation was given Communicating the OBJ
ject of my visit. and asking to be Informed how
to bring the case before him on hdbeds corpus if
the coroner's jury committed the gentlemen to
Jail without bail. which was quite sure they
would. he informed me that all had to do was to
send for him and he would Immediately come to
the village. After dining with the Judge re-
turned to Badensburg and found the LAWYER still
haranging. which he continued to do until near
SHUTDOWN, when the case was given to the jury
who In few minutes brought In verdict Of
willful murder and committed the parties to jail
horse and messenger had been kept in readi-
ness, and Judge Dorsey was Immediately sent
for, who in very short time made his appear
ance and took cognzance of the case He at
once released the principal on bail, myself the
surety. and discharged the second and surgeon.
Judge Dorsey died few years afferward The
village lawyer succeeded him as Judge. And
signal failure. nevertheless he made fair and
upright judge.
At the meeting Of the court, about two
months afterward, Mr.. Jones and myself. In an
sWer to the requirement of the bail bond. pro-
ceeded IN buggy from Washington to Upper
Marlboro, sixteen miles. During the drive q
conversation ensued, in which Mr. J. stated that
he was considering the prOpriety of taking his
wife back. and desired my views on the subject
He stated he had large family Of very young
children; that his father-in-law Mr.. Deveraux,
was one Of the most noble and chvalric Of gen.
tlemen; that be was greatly attached to him. in
deed could not be more attached to an own father.
had previously heard the lady described as a
remarkably quiet, modest, refined and ladyiike
person and that her fail was generally attributed
to the professional relations of Dr. j. as family
physician. Under the circumstances did not
hesitate to advise that If his feelings justified
the act. to disregard any supposed censure of
the world and restore his wife to himself and his
children. The grand jury refused to find q bill
OF Indictment, Mr.. ]. returned to his home and
shortly Afterwards the wife was restored to her
children and his affections
Thus was settled, under the laws OF the Code
OF Honor. fatally to the aggressor, without
undue nOtOriety or shock to the community.
one OF those cases involving what is considered
one OF the greatest wrongs and insults that can
be perpetrated by one gentleman on another.
ff.Ap ont nnI H.