The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-06-27
ANDREW JACKSoN'S FIRST DUEL
His Life Spared by the Magnamity Of
His Antagonist on the Field.

His Life Spared by the Magnamity Of
His Antagonist on the Field.
None of Gen. Jackson's biographers
give the details Of his first duel, and he
himself never cared to speak of the
matter in later years, but some years
ago a granddaughter of Col. Waitstill
Avery told me the full story.
Waitstill Avery was a Massachusetts
man who went to North Carolina, car
rying with him letter of recommended
ton from no less a parsonage than
Jonathan Edwards. He soon acquired
reputation and influence, and in time
became Attorney General of the State.
1t was his custom to take students of
law into his family who became tutors
Of his children.
In 1884 when Andrew Jackson was
but II years old, and ambitious to be-
come lawyer, he applied for this stu
alton. The tradition is that he was re-
fused because. a daughter Of Avery's
took dislike to his appearance.
Young Jackson next applied to
Spruce McCay, lawyer in Salisbury,
N. c., in whose office he was fitted for
the bar, and he shortly made his ap-
pearance in the courts. When jack
son was q years of age he and Avery
met in the trial of case at Jonesboro,
Tenn.
1t was Jackson's habit to carry in his
saddlebags a copy of ''Bacon's Abridg-
ment," and to make frequent appeals
to it in his cases. This precious book
was always carefully done up in coarse
brown paper such as grocers used be-
fore the neat paper bags of the present
day We're invented. The unwrapping
of this much-priZed volume before a
court was q very solemn func-
ton as performed by Jackson.
Now, Avery had by this time drop
ped whatever Of Puritan sedateness
had commended him to Jonathan Ed
wards, and was uncommonly fond Of a
joke. He procured piece of bacon just
the size of the book, and while jack
son was addressing the court he slip
ped out the volume from it's wrapping
and substituted the bacon.
At length Jackson had occasion to
appeal to Lord Bacon. 1t was an i'm
portant case and he would not trust
to his memory. He would confound his
opponent by reading from the book it
self While still talking he raised the
~ a,r a ,{r lIn har 1,ax
out the brown paper package, carefully
| united the string, unfolded the paper
| with the decorous gravity of a priest
| handling the holy things of the altar
and then, without looking at what he
held in his hand, exclaimed trium-
phantly, 1--WE will now see what Bacon
says" "
The court, bar, jury and spectators
were convulsed with laughter before
Jackson saw the trick that had been
played on him. OF course he was furi-
Gus. He snatched pen and on the
blank leaf of a law book wrote a
peremptory challenge which he deliv-
cred then and there. He asked for no
apology-nothing but blood would do.
He commanded Avery to select a
| friend and arrange for the meeting at
once.
Avery made no answer to this
peremptory demand, thinking his pep
perry antagonist would laugh rather
| than fight, as he grew cool. But he did
not know the young man. Jackson
| grew hotter instead of cooler Next
| morning he sent this note, which was
| full of bad spelling. My North Carolina
| friend had seen the original and In
copying, it had corrected the orthogra-
| ply; but these are the exact words:
| August IL, 1888.
"Sir: When mans feeling and
character are injured he ought to seek
| a speedy redress. You received few
edly you understand me. My character
| ly you understand me. My character
! you have injured and further, you have
| insulted me in the presence of the
| court and a large audience. I there
| fore call upon you, as a gentleman, to
| give me satisfaction for the same. And
| I further call upon you to give me an
| swer Immediately without dinner until
| the business Is done, for it is consistent
| with the character of gentleman
| when he Injuries another to make a
speedy reparation. Therefore, I hope
| you will not fail in meeting me this
| day. From your obt. ST.,
1 Andrew Jackson.
| "P. S.-This evening after court ad-
| journs."
| Avery concluded to accept this chal-
| lenge, and so in the dusk Of the sum-
mer evening the duel came off in a
| hollow north Of Jonesboro, in the pres
| ence of the same crowd that had
| laughed at Jackson's predicament.
When the word was given Jackson
fired quickly, and his ball fiicked Av-
| ery's ear, scratching it slightly.
| Now was Avery chance to change the
later history of his country, but his
Puritan blood asserted itself. He fired
| in the air, then advanced and offered
| Jackson his hand, which was accepted.
| Youths Companion.