The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1884-07-24

wanted no quarrel. and counSellud
Capt. Erwin to exert his influence to
quiet tho young man down. Mean
time horse race was to come of in
which Jackson and Dickinson were
interested. The stakes were $4,000 n
side. Before the race the horse in
opposition to Gen. Jackson broke
down, and $500 was forfeited. A
young man named Swcnn, in speak
ing Of the notes placed up on each
side, said something that i,npugued
Gen. Jackson's veracity,aud Jackson,
when the matter was brought before
him, promptly said that whoever
made the statement was id liar.
Swami addressed n letter asking for
an explation. The General replied by
referring his language, though he did
not know whom il struck when first
used, and referred to Dickson az n
talc-bearer, q cowardly poltroon aud
liar. Swami then challenged Jackson
who, In accordance with u threat pre-
viously made, caned Swami in II pub
I lie place. Dickinson next wrote II
fierce letter to him, and LEFT on trip
for the South, expecting IN answer
on his return. While he was away
another duel came of between two
gentlemen, Mr.. Coffee and Mr.. Me
Marry, who were mixed up in the
same affair Coffee being wounded.
When Dickinson returned on May 30,
he published n long letter in the
Nashville Iapdrtid, Rcrie'c, full of cut
ting sarcasm. aud branding Gen.
Jackson Ms coward and poltroon.
The inevitable came Before the ar
ticle appeared in print Dickinson was
handed by Gen. OvcrtOn, JNckson's
second, II pcremptory challenge. 1t
was promptly accepted, and ~. lrNr-
risou Cyllet carried Dickinspn's reply,
naming Friday, May 80, 1896, as the
date. Gen. Jackson wanted to fight
at earlier date, but the other side
would not consent. The location Of
the duel was n long days ride from
Nashville, in Kentucky, across the
Red River. IL was the general opin-
ion that the meeting would be fatal to
Jackson. Dickinson was innrksman
of unerring accuracy, and was con
sidered the crack shot of Tennessee.
He was certain he would kill his an
tagonist. The morning before the
duel he kissed his young wife good
by, assuring her he would be home
the following evening, She was in
entire ignorance of his mission from
home. Dickinson was accompanied 10y
party of gay young men. All dis
ported themselves AZ If on II pleasure
tour. On the journey the principal
amused them by giving exhibitions
of his skill with the pistol. At Il dis.
tance OF twenty.four feet he fred at
command four balls into n space that
would be covered by have n dollar
AT wayside inn he cut II string at II
good distance with n pistol ball, and
instructed the landlord, should An
drew 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 Il certain but
ton on Gen. Jacksons coat, and had
several thousand dollars wagetcd on
the result of the fight, betting he
LII hia nj ,niSt nj fhn Erst
Are.
Gen. Jackson's demeanor was en-
tirely different. His second, Gen ,Ov.
erton, and himself conversed solemnly
together on the prospects. They
knew the opponent TO be a sure shot,
and counted every chance. The men
were to stand at eight PAGES, with
pistols down, and fir G at the simple
word without further ado. The two
parties passed the night at country
taverns about two miles apart. Jack
son had determined to let his adver-
sary fire first, as he knew him to be
the qicker and the surer, and
then take his chances later. Jack
son was dressed in loose frock coat,
which concealed the slenderness of
his physique and rendered the exact
position of his vital parts somewhat
uncertain. Dickinson was the young
er and handsomer, Jackson being
more commanding and superior.
There was n still intensity In his man
ner that rendered him grand as he
stood under the tall roplars on that
bright May morning, awaiting the
crack OF doom.
The word "ready" was repeated by
both men, and Gen, Overton shout
ed the signal, fire Dickinson al
most instantly fired. There was a
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 aud i'm
placable as fate. Astounded at his
failure, Dickinson recoiled n step or
two, saying Great God have /
missed him ~
Back to the mark, sir |" shriekeG
Overton, with his hand on his pistol
Dickinson recovered his composure,
and stood with eyes averted. Gen.
Jackson took deliberate aim and pull
ed the trigger. The pistol neither
snapped nor went of. 1t stopped Mt