The record-union., 1894-02-22
Rnnul zsnkffta 3nnlpoer.

were well over in the right side of the
coat, while the left side had room to
spare. This garment buttoned to the
chin, leaving no white of collar or craVat
to tease a bullet with. 1t had but one
row of buttons, and these, polished like
small loOking-ClaSses, were set well over
on the deceitful left breast of the coat
These buttons were meant TO draw Dick
inson's eye, and anyone who ever used
pistol will know what bullet trap these
cleaning buttons would prove.
GRIM JOURNEY TO THE GROUND.
The two parties by the same road trav-
eled all day to spot in Kentucky. Dick
inson and a crowd of friends-for the
coXcomb made a gala day of the affair
took pains to precede Jackson and the
stern Overton. This last had method.
All day with the skill Of fiend Dickin-
son INDUCED in displays of pistol prac-
tice. Wherever some farmers house
brought them to halt for a glass Of milk
or water from the spring Dickinson
would do some hair-line work with his
pistols and leave the gaping rurallst to
point Jackson and OvertOn to the miracle
later on. This meant to break Jackson's
nerve. 1t might provoke a gloomy
thought or two were one to toll all day
along a road which every mile produced
the gentleman who was to fire at you
next morning. II it affected Jackson he
never showed 1t.
They were to fight at ten PAGES. 1t was
early IN the morning in the general un-
touched forest. Overton and Dickinson's
seconds measured the ground and drove
two pegs. The men were to toe" these
pegs. Dickinson laughed and chatted
with his friends and told them which of
ba NJ
Dickinson supposed it was squarely above
Jackson's indomitable heart. He felt cer-
tain OF killing Jackson at flash. He was
mistaken. jackson had still to whip
Packenham at New Orleans and battle
with Henry Clay for two Presidencies.
Overton won the word. The men stood
up, Jackson grim, Dickinson confident.
The call was to be:
-one-two-three-stO ~
The men were to raise their pistols and
fire anywhere between the first and last
order. Overton began:
"Firei"
"Bang I"
With the quick ness of light Dickinson
had raised his weapon and exploded it,
His bullet struck the button he had Sc
lected, flattened and in a ragged, tearing
way, broke two of Jackson's ribs. jack
son stood like tree. Not a muscle of his
face twtched or moved. Only the pain
lighted hell lamps in his gray eyes.
"My God, | missed him !" exclaimed
Dickinson, and the horror of the thing
made him fall back pace.
MORTALITY WOUNDED THE FIRST FIRE.
''Stand back to your place, sir ~ or
dered Overton, in such stern tone, as he
covered Dickinson with his own prompt
pistol, that Dickinson without further
word obeyed.
He stood back to his position with his
right hand toward Jackson, his head
with his count, which was to be deaths
one that day:
"One-two''
"Clickp'
Jackson's pistol caught at half-cock
Overton paused. Jackson recocked it
with his thumb in an instant, and with
out lowering his weapon or losing his
sight.
"Bangr'
Dickinson fell to the ground shot
through the stomach. He died the same
day.
Il should have stood until 1 killed
him." gritted jackson through his teeth,
in talking OF his wound. Il should have
killed him If he had shot me through the
heart"
And I reckon he would.
When Jackson stepped up to fight that
day the onlookers noted him to put some-
thing in his mouth. They supposed it
was a consolidating piece of tobacco. 1t
wasn't. 1t was bullet, as he after ward
told Sam Houston.
Just before you step out to fire." said
Jackson to Houston as the latter was
about to shoot matters TO an adjustment
with General White of the army, put
hull of int
good and hard with your back teeth. It'll
steady YOUR nerve like a rock.u