The times., 1898-06-26
JACKsoN'S FIRST DUEL.
Andrew Missed. and HIS Opponent
Fired in the Air.
(From the Youths Compauion.)

(From the Youths Compauion)
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. Waitst.H
Avery told me the full story.
Waitstiil Avery was a Massachusetts,
man who went TO North Carolina, car
rying with him q letter Of recommenda-
tion from no less a parsonage than jon
athan Edwards. He soon acquired rep
utation and influence and in time be
came attorney general Of the State. It
was his custom to take students of law
into his family, who became tutors OF
his children.
In 1874, when Andrew Jackson was
but seventeen years old. and ambitious
to become a lawyer. he applied for this
situation. The tradition is that he was
refused because a daughter OF Avery
took dislike 10 his appearance.
Young Jackson next applied to Spruce
Mckay. a lawyer in Salisbury. y c..
in whose Office he was fitted for the bar
and he shortly made his appearance in
tilt NbhA - W 4iNll osA'rfA1p4A ''tAS ~ 1AANs
one years of age he and Avery met in
the trial of a case at JOnesboro, Tenn.
1t as JacksGn's habit TO carry in his
saddlebaes a copy Of ''Bacon's Abridge-
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 Srocers used be-
fore the neat paper bags of the present
day were invented. The unwrapping Of
this much-priZed volume before a court
was a very solemn function as perform
ed by Jackson.
Now, Avery had by this time dropped
whatever Of Puritan sedatenesS had
commended him to Jonathan Edwards,
and was unCOmm0nly fond of a joke.
He procured piece of bacon just the
size of the book, and while jackson
was addressing the court he slipped out
the volume from its wrapping and sub
stituted the bacon.
At length Jackson had occasion to
appeal to Lord Bacon. II 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
bearskin flap of his saddlebags, drew
out the brown paper package, carefully
united the string, unfolded the paper
/ with the decorous gravity of priest
/ handling the holy things of the altar,
I and then without looking at what he
/ held in his hand. exclaimed triumphant
! ly, 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 fu-
rious He snatched a pen and on the
!
emptory challenge. which he delivered
! then and there He asked for no apol-
ogy-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 per-
| emptory demand, thinking his peppery
antagonist would laugh rather than
fight, as he grew cooler But he did
not know the young man. Jackson grew
grew hotter instead Of cooler. Next
morning he sent this note:
August u. 17as
Sir: When a mans feelings and character arc
injured he ought to seek speedy redress. You
| received a few lines from me yesterday. and un
! dOubtedly you understand me. Ny character rGG
have injured, and further. yOu have insulted me
in the presence of the court and a large audi
! ence. therefore call upon you, as gentleman
to give satisfaction for the same. And
further call upon you TO give me an answer i'm
mediately without equiyocation, and | hope You
can do without dinner until the business Is
done. for it is consistent with the character Of
gentleman when he Injuries another to make
speedy reparation. Therefore, | hope you viii
not fail in meeting me this 3,sI, day From YOU
| obt Sc, ANDREW JACKSON.
p. S.-This evening after court adjourns.
Avery concluded to accept this chal-
| lenge, and SO in the dusk Of the Sum
mer evening the duel came off in hol-
low north of Jonesboro in the presence
of the same crowd that had laughed al
Jackson's predicament When the WORD
was given Jackson fired quickly, and
his ball f1icked Avery's ear, scratching
IL slightly.
Now was Avery's chance to change
the later history of the country, but his
| Puritan blood asserted itself. He fired
in the air, then advanced and Offered
Jackson his hand, which was accepted