The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-16
He NEVER SMILED AGAIN
The Father of the Man Killed Was
Clouded in Sorrow
DISASTER AND TROUBLE TO SURVIVOR
He Lived Alone, Was Blind and Everything
His About Home Had an Air of DesoIa-
ton. His Wife's False Step
Made Her Insane.

MADE her insane.
The most dramatic saddest and most
tragic event that has occurred in this vi
cinity was the duel iorrht at Bladens-
burg in the fall of the 50. by I. r
Jones and d. e. johnson within Iiviag
memory. All of the circumstances were
of such a delicate character and the con-
nectons family and other, of the dis
tinguished combatants were so numerous
and so highly respectable that contem-
porary chronicles could not relate the
circumstances in detail for fear of wound
ing loving hearts already broken with
grief But now, that the grave has clos
ed the ears of their kindred. one who
knew and loved them both with the ten
derness of intimate friendship can tell
the sad story with unreserved planness.
Thomas +. Jones and Dr. Daniel 4.
Johnson were the two leading men in the
town of Hertford. Leaders in society, in
influence, in business, in public senti-
ment. Jones had young and pretty wife
who was the mother of an interesting
family. johnson was bachelor, young,
intelligent handsome, attractive. Jones
was a leading lawyer Both had follow
ing OF devoted friends. Johnson was
Jones family physician To both Of them
our family relation was a school boy
friendship, strengthened by an attach
ment which had grown with mature
manhood.
In an evil hour note, confidential
was found by laundry woman in john
sons pocket. 1t was too valuable fnd
for her curiosity. She showed it to a
friend that friend told ii to another and
the public soon got il in their keeping
rival physician, hostile to Johnson,
wrote an anonymous note to Jones,
warning him, and exaggerating the hid
eous reports. Jones, a proud loving and
sensitive husband, was maddened. He
determined to investigate. He said moth
ing. Went to Camden court as usual.
Left there on Tuesday, not as usual Got
home at once after leaving his horse at
the hotel. Went in. found Johnson in the
parlor in conversation with Mrs. Jones.
In burst of passion and with profane
words, he ordered Johnson out of the
house. Johnson bowed himself out, say
ing only. in dgnified manner, 1T is your
house, SIR" and left He went to his Of
flee and Immediately sent a note inviting
Jones to mortal combat. 1t was immedi-
ately accepted. Afterward, at the sug
gestion of Col. Paine. of Edenton, with
drawn, and Jones then challenged john
son. Accepted by Johnson. They soon
arranged for a meeting at Bladensburg,
near Washington, d. c. They met at
sunrise on a cold morning in November.
Johnson was killed at the first fire, shot
through the head. Jones was arrested
and in the preliminary examination the
body of Johnson was laid out on table
in the court room. Jones was convicted
and admitted to bail for appearance at
the regular term of the circuit court.
He afterwards appeared at the term
of court. and the Governor of Maryland,
upon representation made to him by
the bar OF the Edenton circuit, ordered
the proceedings quashed.
There were other incidents of this
tragedy, some of which were given us by
MIR. Jones in nights conversation at
Camden court where we both stayed
over night, during a session of the court.
The conversation was exciting. interest
ing and confidential. Jones loved the wo-
man, even after the occurrence. who had
so grievously wronged and wounded him.
He regretted having ordered Johnson out
OF his house when he met him there
when he came back unexpectedly from
| Camden court He said there was moth
| ing improper in appearances when he
came in unexpectedly He said they were
/ sitting apart. on opposite sides Of the
/ room
When the duel was over and Johnson
| killed, Johnsons pistol was found not
discharged and some of Johnsons friends
/ said Johnson told them he did not inteUd
| to fire at Jones at the first fire. because
he had wronged him, but if Jones insisted
on a second fire. he meant to kill him
/ ii he could. That seemed to trouble
| JoGcs. 9e tried 10 convince US. from
CIRCUMSTANCES that occurred on the
ground that morning that his purpose had
changed, IL he ever Durposed TO withhold
| his Gre. He told us that he was on the
| ground with his friend and second Nixon
| White and his surgeon. DR.. Francis y.
Mullen, first He got there at day break.
a few minutes before Dr. Johnson arrived
| with his friend Dr.. A. N. Henderson and
his surgeon, DR.. Gibson. of Baltimore.
They arrived in a carriage just before
sunrise. 1t was very cold morning. For
| warmth, Jones was walking up and down
on the ground. The carriage containing
Johnson and his friends, drove up not
far from where Jones was walking. When
the carriage stopped Johnson cleared his
| throat, as if to attract attention. and
] then bowed TO Jones. custom then in