Gilpin observer., 1900-03-29
THE JACKSON DUEL.
WAS FOUGHT NEAR NASHVILLE
IN 1906.
Forced by His Political Euemles Into n
Contest with q Professional Duellst
He Killed His Man After Receiving
Dangerous Wound.

The duel between Andrew Jackson
and Charles Dickinson, Nashville
corporation attorney, occurred May 30,
1906, at Harrison Mills. a point thirty
miles from Nashville, on the Kentucky
line. Jackson's opponent was noted
for his extraordinary skill with the
dueling pistols and was feared by the
bravest.
1t does not appear that Jackson
shared this fear, though he admitted TO
friends at the time that he expected
to die, his only hope being that he
would carry with him to the grave the
man who had made the duel neces-
sary. The causes leading up to the
fight were as remarkable as the duel
itself proved to be, though the result
was very material surprise to Dick
enson and the men who urged on the
affair. 1t seems that Jackson's political
enemies had been looking around for
some one to provoke duel with him
and kill him. The man they at last
selected was Charles Dickenson. The
plan was to have Dickinson deliberate
ly slander Jackson's wife as the most
street fight, in which Jackson would
be killed. 1t was alarmingly success
full. but Jackson did not hurry into the
affair fast enough to suit his enemies,
who did not realize how thoroughly he
was preparing for the fight he knew
was being deliberately provoked. He
had important business to settle in
view of his possible death. He hardly
hoped to escape, so he deliberately
made his arrangements to that end,
then he challenged Dickinson.
The challenge was accepted and pis-
tolls named the distance 80 feet. This
indicated the purpose of both to have
fatal termination of the affray, but
Jackson insisted on making the dis
tance as short as possible. This rather
alarmed the professional duelist, for he
understood readily that any man at all
familiar with firearms could become a
dangerous opponent at this distance.
He preferred so feet, for at that dis
tance he could kill Jackson with little
danger to himself. He was forced how
ever. to agree to the shorter distance
OF admit his cowardice. and this would
have spoiled everything.
When the two parties arrived at the
place of meeting Jackson was as cool
as an iceberg, but SO was Dickinson.
The latter, confident of his ability to
kill his man before Jackson could
shoot, was quite unconscious of the
fate about to overtake him. Gen. Over
ton was Jackson's second. Together
fhav 1iSpucSp1 fhn SitIatinD
quite agreed that Jackson had but
slight hope of escape. AS the best
means of being sure to carry Dicken-
son with him, however, Jackson con-
cluded to hold his fire until he could
take deliberate aim at his man. Dick
enson was known as the quickest shot
in the south. Under the code a man
could fire the moment the word was
gi zen, and with the hair trigger pistols
Used quick shot usually fred before
the full word fire" had been pro-
nounced by the second giving the COM
mand. Therefore it was clear that
Jackson would have to receive Dicken-
son't fire and then take chances on
living long enough to kill him. This
was a desperate chance, and that it
was taken by ''Old Hickory" illustrates
the strong determination of the man.
The men faced each other with heavy
dueling pistols. Fate was still against
Jackson, for he drew the position with
the sun against him, and Dickenson
smiled significantly. Then the men
took positions. The seconds stood by
to see that each had fair play. "One,
two, three-fre!" came the signal, and
scarcely had the word fire" been
heard when Dickensons pistol explod-
ed and Jackson whirled around, but in
an instant Strengthened up and with an
effort prepared to fire. Deliberately he
raised the great dueling pistol. Dick
enson, seeing he was caught staggered
back with a cry, but Gen. 0verton in
stantly drew revolver and command
ed him to toe the mark and receive his
opponents fire. Slowly the Nashville
lawyer took the position from which he
had shrunk when he saw Jackson cool
ly preparing to kill him. Blood was
running In stream from Jackson S
left side and he was evidently hit hard,
but nothing could stop the determined
man. Slowly he raised the pistol until
it came to the proper range. Diclten-
son, 30 feet away closed his eyes. There
was an explosion. and the man fell
dead with a hole in his head large
enough to put a silver half dollar in.
"Old Hickory" dropped at the same
time, being badly wounded. 1t was n
narrow escape. but looked like ds-
pensation of Providence.