Arizona weekly citizen., 1889-07-27
-< -~s~- A FAMOUS DUEL.
Goodness and Bravery Displayed by Cen.
 Andrew Jackson.

Cooiness and Bravery Displayed by Gan
 Andrew Jackson.
 The Philadelphia Press offered
 prize for the best story of personal
 bravery. The following is ore of the
 contributions l have considered the
 famous .duel in 1906, between Gen.
 Andrew Jackson, afterward president
 Df the United States, and Charles
 Dickinson, of Nashville, Tenn, as an
 unparalleled exhibition of courage
 and fortitude on the part of the for 1 ner.
 Dickinson was a dashing young
 blood of Nashville, and considered the
 best pistol shot in the state. He had
 fought several duels and always killed
 hls opponent. The cause of the duel
 is immaterial here, but Jackson being
 the challenging party pistols were of
 course named by Dickinson, and the
 distance eight paces.
 The dueling ground lay a good
 days journey from Nashville, and
 early upon the appointed day Dickin-
 son set forth accompanied by chosen
 party of sporting friends, and was fol
 lowed few hours later by Jacksoa and his second.
 All during that long days travel the general was constantly regaled (0 at the different inns and taverns upon the road with such evidences of Dick lnson's confidence in the result of the duel as strings hanging from tree boughs with papers attached stating that they had been cut by Dickinson bullet at eight paces. Just before reaching tine ground he fired four balls, each at the word of command. into a silver dollar at the same dis, tance, and tossed 1t 10 the landlord as he rode away, with the request that it be given to Gen. Jackson when he ar rived. The latter's revenge for these cruel taunts and contemptuous non- chalance was even more fercely sweet than poets dare to fancy, as the sequel will show.
 The conditions of the duel were that the combatants should face each other at eight paces, thereby making the largest possible target of their bodies; | the pistols to be held downward until | the word was given 10 fire, when each | man was to shoot at will The chances of success thus lay entirely with the | party who combined in the greatest degree quickness and accuracy Dick lnson was not only a marvellous shot i'll state noted for its good marks men, but he required no aim, firing at sight, and 1t was in view of this that Jackson suddenly mortified his second with the announcement that he in tended holding his fire until Dickinson had taken his shot, and all expostula. Llons failed to turn him from this suicidal courSe.
 The principals reached the ground and took their positions without eSi- ience of trepidation on the part of either. At this stage of affairs bets were brutally made by the spectators on the result, as If they were at a cooking main or dog fight, great 'dds being placed on Dickinson, who pointed out to his friends a certain button on Jackson's coat, over his leart, by the side of which he proposed o put his bullet; and, like his friends, ,agerly bet in his own favor.
 Are you readyf" was asked of 'ach. ''Firel" and Dickinson raised | lis pistol and fired. A puff of dust vas seen to fly from Jackson's coat 1 md his left arm was raised and press d across his breast, but otherwise not muscle moved. His gaunt face be anne as whitely set as chiseled mar lie, and his eyes remained fixed on , lls antagonist with a supernatural Hare.
 Ny Godr' cried Dickinson, start ng back and dropping his pistol, have 1 missed him2" Stand up to he mark Y shouted Jackson's second, rawlng his pistol. Jackson's pistol rm slowly rose without a tremor, nd aiming deliberately he fired. : Dickinson fell mortally wounded. he general immediately walked ] way, followed by his second and the ' urgeOn. They had proceeded but a short dis lnce when the surgeon observed that ne of Jackson's shoes was filled with food. Then nature gave way, but ot until he had demanded that all of the wound would be , ept from the daring Dickinson, so eep was his revenge. At the time of ne duel jackson was dressed in a pose fitting frock coat, and being cry slender man, Dickinson was de eived as to the exact location of his cart. His aim, however, had been erfect, the ounce ball breaking two lbs, shattering the breast bone and a wound from the effects of -hich Jackson eventually died. The incidents of this tragic affair considered, represent to , le writer's mind the most exalted ! 7pe of physical bravery, devoid z tough it may be of those higher loral qualities which marked Jack ,n's subsequent career and which , lade his entire life powerful illus ation of the fact that desperate ,urage may make one a majority."-