The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-07-16
ANDREW JAoKsoN's DUEL.
HE WAS A DEAD SHOT AND
KILLED HIS ANTAGONIST.
The Fight Was Forced Oh Him by q
Famous Marksman-Details OF the
ExtraOrdinarY Affair. 4.

Andrew jackson was the representa-
tive OF the American epoch. Whel
the history OF this country shall b,
written by someone who has beef
/ enough OF q man among men t,
| be wise weigher of all kinds of evi
dence and who is possessed of that inn
aginative power which enables mint
to reincarnate itselfsamid the event.
and personalities whose tendency ant
| purpose 1t aims to depict and whose
meaning and motives it essays to ex
plain, 1t is probable that Andrew
Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, two
| children of the people, born in poverty
will be accounted not only the two
most typical Americans, but the larg,
est and noblest figures in our populous
national Pantheon.
Charles Dickinson was u Nashville
lawyer of some mark In his profession
and in politics, though chiefly as O
pistol shot. He considered himself
the best shot IN the world. Perhaps
he was. But the pitcher that goes to
the well too often, says the proverb,
gets broken at last. Like most Ten
nesseeans of that erratic era, Dickin-
son drank hard at times, and in his
cups threw all discretion and decency
to the winds.
Among other unpleasant things it
was reported to jackson that Dickin-
son had alluded to the alleged irregu-
larity or illegality of Jackson's mar
riage with Mrs. Ruchel Rohards,
which was, of course, q sore point with
the General, who loved his excellent
wife devotedly.
Still Jackson was not bloodthirsGy to
fight Dickinson. 10 that gentleman's
father-in-law he said:
would fain have no quarrel. My
political enemies, | believe, are using
this young man as an instrument to
get me out of their way. do not wish
to fight, but | will, to the death, if
crowded. Bid him pause in time"
The suasions of Dickinson's father
in-law temporarily prevailed, and an
apology followed, but tire smouldering
spark Of hostility was famed into a
flame soon after.
Some reports of alleged remarks
concerning certain horse racing and
betting transactions caused Dickinson
to repeat his insults, and to say that If
ever such cowardly cur" as Jack
son could be whipped or spurred into
u meeting on the field of honor" he
would rid Tennessee and the country
of the pestilent poltroon."
Dickinson about this time must have
been meditating an attack OF a similar
nature to the murderous onslaught
which the Benton brothers made on
the General years after, for he brag-
ged that he was going to force fight
on jackson.
Thus it began to be public opinion
that duel must ensue, and jackson
finally challenged Dickinson. which
was exactly what the latter had plot
ted, because u challenge gives the re-
ceiver the choice Of weapons.
AS DickinsOn's cavalcade went along,
stopping now and then ut roadside tav-
erns to bait their horses and refresh
themselves, the hero of the party gave
numerous exhibitions OF his pistol
skill, hitting half dollars tossed in the
air, aud in once place, where u bit of
string was hanging from tree, he
shot off the lover half and said with
savage laugh: "Show that to Gen.
jackson when he comes along this
way"
Far different was the temper of the
other party, the tall, gaunt, slender,
stately soldier, riding in front of his
comrades with his old friend and Sec
ond, Gen. Overton. They gave very
grave, though, of course, bravo con.
sideratiOn to the matter. Both knew
Dickinsons wonderful skill. In fact,
at that very hour the Nashville gam
bling fraternity, having wind of the
coming event that had cast so many
shadows before, were laying heavy
odds on Dickinson.
You will surely behit, General" !"
said Overton rather testify.
Beyond as re asonable doubt" re-
piled jackson "but what OF that?
shall wing him, too. never fear!"
I've been thinking" said Overton,
that perhaps it would be best for you
to let him fire first"
You mean to receive his fire and
reserve miner"
Yes, General. II you should try
to fire simultaneously on thesignal anC
he should hit you second before you
pull the trigger that might spoil your
aim. Better let him fire hastily. You
take deliberate aimt Your will can
control your pain, even III hit. What
81 think you are right" siad jack
son, land ] will do as you say"
That night, at the inn where they
stopped near the chosen ground, Jack
son ate hearty supper, smoked his
corncob and conducted himself like an
ordinary, genial traveller, the land
lord, however, divining his errand, and
wishing him safe return.
Remounting early next morning
they found themselves compelled to
swim their horses across q ford, as no
ferryman was visible to convey them.
Into the open heart of the poplar
forest they came, and found Dickinson
with his second, surgeon and friends
awaiting them.
The usual civilities OF polite blood
spilling were duly performed, coins
were tossed Tor choice of position,
which was won by Dickinson's second,
and the giving of the word, which he
especially valued, fell to Gen. Overton.
As the sun was yet quite low in the
cool heavens, position could not have
been codnted for much In the way OF
Jackson's having sun dazzle in his
eyes, which has happened 10 some
duellist, but 1t is easy to understand
that Dickinson's second doubtless
posted his man so that no tree trunk
should make q special line behind him
as guide-post to Jackson's aim. Eight
PAGES were measured off and the mer
! were placed.
80 am ready" replies Dickinson.
| am ready" replies Jackson.
Fire !"
Overton shoots this word from hi,
mouth with the old rustic pronuncia
tion coming back to him In his intense
excitement, 1t being common phe
u0menon that seconds are not half 50
cool as their principals.
Hardly had the word left his lip