Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-05-09
A Famous Encounter.
Graphic Account of a Thrilling His
tOrical Event.
The Jackson Dickinson Duel, as Re
called by a Writer for the
Philadelphia Press.

Last week the Philadelphia Press Of
! fered prize for the best story of personal
/ brewery. The following is one of the
/ contributions: | have always considered
the famous duel in 1906, between Gen.
Andrew Jackson, afterwards president
OF the United States, and Charles Dickin
son, of Nashville, Tenn, as an unparal-
leled exhibition of courage and fortitude
on the part of the former.
Dickinson was a dashing young blood
of Nashville, and considered the best pie
tol shot in the state. He had fought
several duels and always killed his oppon
ent. The cause of the duel is immaterial
here, bat Jackson being the challenging
party pistols we're of course named by
Dickinson, and the distance eight PAGES
The dueling ground lay q good days
journey from Nashville, and early upon
the appointed day Dickinson set forth
accompanied by a chosen party of sport
ing friends, and was followed a few hours
later by Jackson and his second.
All during that long days travel the
general was constantly RECALLED (Y) at the
different inns and taverns upon the road
with such evidences of Dickipson's con.
I y
hanging from tree boughs with papers
attached stating that they had be II cut by
Dckinson's bullet at eight PAGES. Just
before rfc"hing the ground he fired four
balls. each at the word of command, into
a silver dollar at the same distance, and
tossed it to the landlord as he rode
away, with the request that it be given
to Gen. Jackson wien he arrived. The
] 10 - FTr al - nd
contemptuous nonohalance was even more
ierceIy sweet than poets dare TO fancy,
as the sequel will show.
The conditions of the duel we're that
the combatauts should face ta h other at
| eight PAGES, thereby making the largest
pos sibls target of their bodies; the pis-
tolls to be held downward until the word
was given to fire, when each man was to
shoot as will The chances Of success
thus lay entirely with the party who
combined in the greatest degree quick
ness and accuracy. Dickinson was not
only a marvellous shot in state not I'd
! for itb good mark5men, but he required
no aim, firing at sight, and it was in view
of this that Jackson suddenly horrlfied
his second with the announcement that
he intended holding his tire until Dlckin
son had taken his shot, and all expostu-
lations failed to turn him from this sui
cIdal course.
The principles reached the ground and
took their positions without evidence of
trepidation on the part of either. At this
stage of affairs bets we're btutally mede
by the spectators on the result, rs if they
were at a cooking main or a deg fight,
great ODDS being placed on Dickinson,
who pointed out TO his friends certain
button on Jackson's coat, over his heart
by tho side of which he proposed TO place
his bullet; and like his friends, eagerly
bet in his own favor.
"Are you readyY" was asked of each
"Firep and Dickinson quickly raised his
pistol and fired. a puff of dust was seen
to Il ~ from Jackson's coat and his left
arm was raised and pressed across his
breast, but otherwise not muscle moved
His gaurt face became as Whitley set as
chiseled marble, and his eyes remained
fixed on his antagonist with a supernRt-
ursl glare.
MY God!" cried Dickinson, starting
back and dropping his pistol, shave
N Used him?' "Staud up to the MARK
shouted Jackson's second drawing his
pistol! JsoAson's pistol arm slowly rose
without q tremUr, and aiming deliberately
he fired. Dickinson fell mortally wound
ed. The General immediately walked
away, followed by his second and the
surgeon.
They had p~U oeeded but short distance
when the surgeon observed that one Of
Jackson's shoes was filled with blood
Then nature gave way but not until ne
had demanded that all knowledge or the
wound be kept from the dying Dickinson,
so deep was his revenge. As the time of
the duel Jackson was dressed in loose
fitting frock, and being q very slender
man, Dickinson was deceived "a to the
exact location of his heart. His aim
however, had been perfect, the ounce ball
breaking two ribs, SCATTERING the breast
bones and inhctiug wound from the
effects of which Jackson ever tually died
twenty years later.
The Incidents of this tragic affair,
tEoughtfully considered, represent to the
writer's mind the most exalted type Of
physical bravery, devoid though it may
be of those higher moral qualities which
marked Jackson's subsequent career aud
which made his entire life powerful il.
lustrstion of the fact that desperate
COURAGE may make one majority"