The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-07-18
ANDREW JAOKSON'S DUEL.
HE WAS "A DEAD SHOT AND
KILLED HIS ANTAGONIST.
The Fight Was Forced on Him by Il
Famous Marksman-DctaiI of the
Extraordinary Affair.

|
Famous Observation-Disclosures of the
Extraordinary Affair.
Henry Austin in Illustrated American.
Andrew jackson was the representa-
tive Of the American epoch. Whcl
the history Of this country shall b(
written by someone who has beer
enough of q man among mon tt
be a wise weigher OF all kinds Of cvi
dence and who is possessed OF that inn
aginative power which enables min(
to reincarnate itself amid the events
and personalities whose tendency anG
purpose it aims to depict and whose
meaning and motives it ossuys to ex
plain, it 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 II Nashville
lawyer Of some mark in his profession
and in politics, though chiefly as Il
pistol shot. He considered himself
the best shot in the world. Perhaps
he was. But the pitcher ;hat goes 10
the we'll too often, says the pr0vcrb,
gets broken at last. Like most Ten
nesseeans Of that crratic era, Dicki in
son drank hard at times, and in his
cups threw all discretion and dcccncy
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 Jacxson's mar
riage with Mrs. Rachel Richards,
which was, Of course, Il sore point with
the General, who loved his excellent
wife devotedly.
| Still jackson was not Dloodthirsty to
fight Dickinson. TO that gentleman s
futhcrin-law he said:
would fain have no quarrel. My
political enemies, | believe, arc using
this young man a., an instrument To
get me out of their way. do not wish
TO fight, but | will, 10 the death, il
crowded. Bid him pause in time"
The suasiOns of Dickinsons father
in-law temporarily prevailed, and al
apology followed, but tie smouldcrins
, spark Of hostility was famed into
lame soon after.
Some reports Of alleged remark.
concerning certain horse racing ,nt
betting transactions caused Dickinson
to repeat his insults and to say that il
ever such q cowardly cur" rs Jack
son cou Id be whipped or spnrred into
a meeting on the field Of honor" he
!
of the "pcstilent poltr0on.'
Dickinson about this time must have
been mcditating an attack Of II similar
nature to the murdcrOM onslaught
| which the Benton brothers made on
| the General years after, for he brag-
ged that he was going to force u fight
on jackson.
Thus it began to be IL public opinion
that Il duel must ensue, and Jackson
finally challenged Dick ins0n, which
was exactly what the latter had plot
led, because Il challenge gives the re-
cciver the choice of weapons.
AS Dickinson's cavalcadc went along
stopping now and then at 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, whore q bit OF
string was hanging from q tree, he
shot of the lover half and said with 8
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. Ovcrton. They gave yer,
grave, though, Of course, a brave con
sideration to the matter. Both knew
Il. that very hour the Nashville gam
bling fraternity, having wind of the
coming event that had cast 80 man,
shadows before, were laying heavy
odds on Dickinson.
You will surely hehit, General,
said Overton rather testify.
Beyond II reasonable doubt" re
! piled jackson "but what of that?
shall wing him, too, never fears
"I'vc been thinking" said Ovcrton
t that perhaps It would be best for yo,
} to let him fire first"
1 You mean to receive his fire ant
reserve minc?'
= eyes, General If You should IT,,
. to fro simultaneously ON the signal AM
l he should hit you Il second before yol
pull the trigger that might spoil you
t aim. Better let him fire hastily. YO,
, take deliberate aim. Your will ca
t control your pain, even ii hit. Wha
= think you ?"
think You arc right" siad Jack
4 son, land | will do as you say"
t That night, at the inn where the
stopped near tho chosen ground, Jack
= son ate hearty supper, smoked hi
: corncob, and conducted himself like a
t ordinary, genial traveller, the land
lord, however, divining his errand, an
' wishing him q safe return.
: Remounting early noxt mornin
, they found themselves compelled t.
+ swim their horses across o. ford as II
t ferryman was visible to convey them
Into the open heart of the popla
/ forest thcy came, and found Dickinso
, with his second, surgeon and friend
! awaiting them.
The usual civilites of polite bloc
5 spilling were duly performed, coin
= were tossed for choice OF position
e which was won by Dickinson's second
3 and the giving Of tho word, which h
It especially valued, fell to Gen. Ovcrtor
n As the sun was yet quite low in tn
+ cool heavens, position could not hav
{ been codnted for much in the way c