McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-07-31

| space That Wouiu De covered Dy nall
dollar. At q wayside inn he cut
string at q good distance with pistol
ball, and instructed the landlord, should
Andrew jackson pass that way, TO
point it out to him. 1t was also said
that he wagered $500 that he would
come within half an inch of o certain
button on General Jackson's coat, and
had several thousand dollars wagered
on the result of the fight, betting he
would kill his antagonist at the first
fire.
General Jackson's demeanor was en-
tirely different. His second, General
Oyerton, and himself conversed solemn
ly together on the prospects. They
knew the opponent to be sure shot,
and counted every chance. The men
were to stand at eight PAGES, with pis-
tolls down, and fire ut the simple word
without further ado. The two parties
passed the night at country taverns
about two miles apart. jackson had
determined to let his adversary fire
first, as he knew him to be the quicker
and surer, and then take his chances
later. Jackson was dressed in loose
frock coat, which concealed the slen-
derness of his physique and rendered
the exact position of his vital parts
somewhat uncertain. Dickinson was
the younger and handsomer, Jackson
being more commanding and superior.
There was still intensity in his man.
ner that rendered him grand as he
stood under the tall poplars on that
bright May morning, awaiting the
crack of doom.
The word s'ready" was repeated by
both men, and General Overton shouted
the signal, s'Fire!" Dickinson almost
instantly fired. There was puff of
dust from Jackson's coat, and he raised
his hand and clasped it to his breast.
His friends waited to see him fall, but
he stood calm and implicable as fate.
Astounded at his failure, Dickinson re-
coiled a step or two, saying, "Great
God! have missed him?"
"Back to the mark, sir!" shrieked
Overton, with his hand on his pistol.
Dickinson recovered his composure
and stood with eyes averted. General
jackson took deliberate aim and pulled
the trigger. The pistol neither snap
ped nor went off. 1t stopped at half
cock. Carefully he cooked it, and a
second time took aim and fired, Dick
inson reeled and was caught by his
friends. A deadly pallor came over his
face, and his trousers became crimson
from the life blood that trickled from
his breast. The ball had entered one
side and came out at the other.
Jackson was joined by Overton, and
they hurried from the field. Looking
down, Overton saw that the Generals
shoe was full of blood. 1t was the
first he knew that his friend was
wounded. 'sMy God! Are you hit?"
he exclaimed.
81 believe he has pinched me little,
but say nothing about it," jackson re-
piled.
Dickinson's aim had been perfect. He
struck the mark where he thought he
would pierce Jackson's heart, but the
slender figure and deceptive dress OF
his adversary rendered the would not
fatal. The bullet raked the breastbone
and broke two OF three ribs. jackson
was laid up for weeks, and, though he
lived to ripe old age, the wound was
the eventual cause of his death. 1t was
a case in which one or the other had to
be killed, and Jackson was to blame no
more than the other man. Dickinson
died the following day, before his wife
arrived at his bedside.
The next encounter of Importance IN
which General Jackson was engaged
was in 1918. 1t was no fault of his.
A young captain named William Car
roll, who later became general, was
favorite of jackson. Jesse Benton,
brother of Colonel Thomas Fl. Benton,
challenged Carroll to fight duel for
some imaginary offense. Carroll sue
ceeded in getting jackson to be his
second, though the general did all ne
could to make q pleasant settlement.
Jesse Benton was untamed and fiery,
and would fight. They met, and Car
roll wounded him. Jackson, who was
aggravated that the fight should take
place at all, made light of the affair all
round. Jesse Benton then poured into
the ears of Thomas Benton wonderful
tale, and Thomas at once denounced
Jackson as an migrate, traitor, etc.
Jackson said he would horsewhip him
on sight, and every one believed it.
On the Sd of September all the parties
were in Nashville. Jackson, with his
friend, Colonel Coffee, went to the
postoffice, where they saw the two Ben
tons standing.
"Now, you id rascal, l am 60
ing to punish you," said jackson to
Tom Benton, advancing, riding-Whlp
in hand. Benton made a movement
to draw pistol, and Jackson drew his,
still advancing, whip in hand. Jesse
Benton then discharged pistol loaded
ed with slugs at Jackson, literally tear
ing up one OF his shoulders. Jackson
fell, weltering in blood. 4 running
duel then commenced in the street,
though without effect. Coffee shot at
Thomas Benton and knocked him down
flight OF stairs, and friends OF Jack
son tried to kill Jesse Benton, who was
wounded with q dirk. Jackson came