Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-07-20
A TRAeEDY REcALLEp.-Mr.

Wheatlsy to-day removed the remains
of the late Major Henry T. Dixon from
the Union cemetery in this city to Ar
iington, where they will be inferred in
che National cemetery. The tragic
death of Major Dixon, which occurred
nearly thirty years ago in this city,
caused considerable excitement here
and throughout the surrounding coun-
try where the principals in the rencon-
ire were so we'll known. The difficulty
which resulted in the majors death
dated back to 1857, when son of the
deceased got into some trouble in Eau
ouier county, where the family lived at
that time. The sheriff of the county,
who had a warrant for the arrest of
young Dixon, for some reason did not
serve it, and DR.. T. Clay Maddux vol
unteered to make the arrest. 1t was
we'll known that the elder Dixon was
Of warlike nature, and would doubt
less resist the doctor should he under
take to arrest his son, while it wss
equally we'll known that DIR. Maddu1
was also of a determined nature. A
conflict WAS therefore apprehended,
and one occurred which came near
proving fatal to the doctor. When
Major Dixon saw him on his premise
and became aware of his errand he
brought out gun and discharged its
contents into the breast and shoulders
of DR.. Maddux. The latter's wounds
were exceedingly dangerous, though
not necessarily fatal, and after long
and tedious convalescenceh he recovered.
Major Dixon was subsequently tried fl r
malicious shooting and got Oft without
ducurring any serious penalty. The
war came on several years late r
and the major and doctor saw no mol Q
of each other until 1865. Major Dixie
waa 8 paymsster in the United Stat 8
army and DR.. Maddux was practicirg
his profession, and the friends of both
had hoped the two would never resume
hostilities. The bitterness, however,
was, as the sequel proved, as rank as
ever. Mr. Martin Maddux was at the
time proprietor of the Mansion (now
Braddock, House. DR.. Maddux was g
guest, and in October, 1865, Major
Dixon, who CHANGED to be in the city,
registered there. One night during that
month the latter was sitting in the
reading room of the hotel with his eyes
cast to the floor, apparently in de
lected mood, when DR.. Msddux enter
ed unobssrved by the major and walk
ed up to him. Major Dixon raised his
eyes from the floor in order to see who
was IN front of him (the light in the
room being dim at the time) when the
doctor spat in his face. Major Dixon,
who was then an old white-haired man,
but possessing all OF the pugnacity OF
his younger days, arose quickly to
syenge the insult, but was knocked
down by DR.. Maddu1 and roughly
handled. Friends heard the scuffie aud
ehey entered the room and parted the
belllgerents. 1t was then seen that thu
next tims the two men met one or thu
other would be killed, or pro
baby both. They were know
to be determined and Greek VS.. Greel
conflict between them was looked fol-
daily. Two weeks later ION the It'll
day of Now Maj. Dixon was standin:
in front of the old City Hotel, on the
southwest corner Of Royal and Cameron
streets, and DR.. Maddox was passing
up Royal street on the east side. Maj
Dixon LETT an acquaintance with whom
he was talking and crossed to the
southeast corner, close to where DR.
Maddox had stopped to converse with {
lsieno. The latter apprissd the doctor
OF Oi3on.s approach and both men pro
dueed pistols simultaneouslv A hal
the DOCTORS clothing but shot from
the latter which took effect in the mo
ior's abdomen brought the duel 10 ,
close, Major Dixon falling along side a
a flag pole on the corner on which ,
Bell and Everett flag had hoated 6v,
years before. Major Dixon was Car
ried into the City Hotel when it Wal
found his wound was mortal. He diet
that night and his remains were in
tered in the Union cemetery wher
they have remained undisturbed unit
to-day. DIR. Maddux was arrested an
taken before Mr.. Frederick Daw, the
q magistrate in this city. 1t was in
possible to ascertain who fred frs
There had been three shots--one ant
after few seconds interval two in rapi
succession-but the evidence was IN
satisfactory and for some reason th
case meyer got into court. DR.. Mad
dux ten years later died with his boots
,