The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-23
OLD HICKORY's COURAGE.
They Could Shoot at him, but they Could
not mako him Play tho part Of Coward.
Wdshiu0ton Evening Star.

Ii ever man pore CuarWeu LII
that man was "Old Hickory" Tha
he should live to a ripe old age ant
die natural death, despite his many
dramatic, not to say tragic, experien
ces, was remarkable. But of all Gen
Jackson 8 narrow escapes there is ont
which borders on the supernatural
Two bullet-loaded pistols of perfect
construction which at no other tim:
were ever known to miss fire, snapped
in turn at President Jackson's breast
the percussion caps exploding, but the
weapons refusing to shoot /! That the
old hero met not the fate Of two Of
his illustrious successors was little
short of miracle. As it was, the in
cident caused an intense excitement
all over the country.
''I am not afraid |! Let me go! They
can't kill me. I can take care of my
selfr'
So exclaimed President Jackson
one memorable day in January, fifty
nine years ago, as breaking away from
his friends he rushed upon his would
be assassin. The attempt to murd der
Gen. Jackson was made on the 30th
day of January, 1885 the same month
in which, twenty years previously, he
had won his highest renown by his
defeat of the British army at New Or,
leans.
On the afternoon Of the day named
while President Jackson was at the
Capitol, in attendance upon the fu-
neral of Mr.. Warren R. Davis, OF
South Carolina, one Richard Law
renee, a painter, residing in Washing
ton, tried to shoot him. This indi-
vidual was seen to enter the House Of
Representatives during the delivery
of the funeral sermon before its
close, however, he had taken his stand
on the eastern portico near one of
the columns. The President, with
the Secretary Of the Treasury on his
left arm, on retiring from the rotunda
to reach his carriage at the steps of
the portico, advanced toward the spot
where Lawrence stood-who had his
pistol concealed under his coat-and
when he approached within two yards
and half of him, the would-be as
sassin levelled the pistol at the Presi-
dents breast. The percussion cap
exploded with a noise SC great that
several witnesses supposed the pistol
had been fired. On the instant Law
renee dropped the pistolfrom his right
hand, and taking another ready cock
ed from his left, presented and snap
ped il at the President, who at this
moment raised his cane and made fol
his assailant with lion-like energy.
He would have executed vengeance,
but Secretary Woodbury. and Lieut..
Godney at the same time laid hold OF
the man, who was knocked down, the
President pressing after him until he
was secured.
The Presidents friends then urged
him to 90 to the Capitol, which the
old hero did, with great frmness and
and self-possession, though during
the eventful moment his commanding
voice was heard above all others, as.
tearing himself from his friends and
rushing for the assassin, he uttered
the words quoted.
As soon as the act was known to the
crowd they wished to kill the assassin
on the spot. But this was promptly
prevented. Lawrence was forthwith
carried to Jail, after brief prelimi,
nary examination before Judge
Cranch. At this examination Mr.
Randolph, Sergeant-at-Arms of the
House Of Representatives, who at
tended the Marshall to conduct the
prisoner to the City Hall, testified
that the prisoner, when asked by the
Marshal what motive he had to make
the attempt stated that the President
had killed his father. This asser
tion was, however, untrue, as, upor
investigation, it was found that hi
father, an Englishman, had died I
natural death in Washington some
years before. The son was appren
ticed afterward to a Mr.. Clark, will
whom he lived three years. Mr.
CLARK, when called upon; said he wa
man of excellent brains, sober ant
industrious that he had seen hin
very frequently, and was we'll &C
uuainted with him since he had lef
his family, and had heard nothing t.
his disadvantage until of late he wa
informed Of his being quarrelsom
among his friends, and that he ha'
treated his sister badly.
The antira ahsnnna Of any nerSnna