Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-23
ANDREW JAcKsoN's DEAD SHOT,

| enables mind to relnCarnate itself amid
the events and personalities whose ten.
dency and purpose it aims to depict and
whose meanings and motives it essays to
explain, it is probable that Andrew Jack.
son and Abraham Lincoln, two children
of the people, born in poverty, will
be accounted not only the two most typ
i5al Americans, but the largest and mob
lest figures in our populous National
Pantheon.
Charles Dickinson was a Nashville law
yer of some mark in his profession and
in politics, though chiefly as a pistol
shot. He considered himself the best
shot in the world. Perhaps he was. But
the pitcher that goes to the well too Of
ten, says the proverb, gets broken at
last. Like most Tennesseans of that
erratc era, Dickinson drank hard at
times, and, in his cups, threw all dlscre-
ton and decency to the winds.
Among other unpleasant things, twas
reported to Jackson that Dickinson had
alluded to the alleged irregularity or IL
legality OF JacksOn's marriage with
Mrs Rachel Robards, which was of
course, a very sore point with the gen.
eral, who loved his excellent wife devot-
edly.
Still, Jackson was not bloodthirsty to
fight Dickinson. To that gentleman S
father-in-law he said:
81 would fain have no quarrel. My
political enemies, l 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 apollo
gy followed, but the smouldering spark
of hostility was famed into flame soon
after.
Some reports of alleged remarks con-
cerning certain horses racing and bet
ting transactions caused Dickinson to re-
peat his insults and to say that if ever
such "cowardly cur" as Jackson could
be whipped or spurrred into meeting
"on the field of honor he would rid
Tennessee and the country of the pes
tilent pOltroon."
Dickinson about this time must have
been meditating an attack of similar ma
Uure to the murderous onslaught which
the Benton brothers made on the Gener-
al years after, for he Dragged that he
was going to force fight on Jackson.
Thus it began to be a public opinion
that duel must ensue, and jackson fl
nally challenged Dickinson, which was
exactly what the latter had plotted, be-
cause a challenge gives the receiver the
choice of weapons.
AS DickinsOns cavalcade went along,
stopping now and then at roadside tav-
erns to bait their horses and refresh them
selves, the hero of the party gave num-
erous exhibitions of his pistol skill, hit
ting half dollars tossed in air, and in one
place, where bit of string was hanging
from tree, he shot off the lower half
and said with a 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 com
rades with his old friend and second,
Gen. Overton They gave a very grave,
though, of course, brave, consideration
to the matter. Both knew Dickinson's
wonderful skill In fact, at that very
hour the Nashville gambling fraternity,
having wind of the coming event that
had cast so many shadows before, were
laying heavy odds on Dickinson.
"You will surely be hiG, General" said
OvertOn rather testify.
beyond reasonable doubt" replied
Jackson; "but what of that? l shall
wing him, too, never fear!"
1--WE been thinking" said Overton,
''tbat perhaps it would be best for you
to let him fire first"
"You mean to receive his fire and re-
serve mine?"
Eyes, General. If you should try to
fire simultaneously on the signal, and he
should hit you a second before you pull
the trigger, that might spoil your aim.
Your will can control your pain, even if
hit. What think you?"
II think you are right" said Jackson,
''and | will do as you say"
That night, at the inn where they
stopped near the chosen ground, Jack
son ate a hearty supper, smoked his
corncob pipe and conducted himself like
an ordinary genial traveller, the landlord,
however, diviuing his errand and wish
ing him safe return.
RemOunting early next morning they
found themselves compelled to swim
their horses across ford as no ferryman
was visible to convey them. Into the
open heart of 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 for choice of position, which was
won by Dickinson's second, and 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 counted for much in the way of
Jackson's having a sun dazzle in his eyes,
which has happened to some duelists,
but it is easy to understand that Dickin-
sons second doubtless posted his man so
that no tree trunk should make a special
one behind HIM as guidepost to Jack
sons aim. Eight PAGES were measured
off and the men were placed.
"Are you ready, gentlemen" cried
OveTtOn. T
81 am ready" replies Dickinson.
II am ready" replies Jackson.
"Fireu'
Overton shoots this word from his
,,,outh will, tho old ruStic accommodation