Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-03-30
THE JACKSON DUEL.
WAS FOUGHT NEAR NASHVILLE
IN 1900.
Forced by HE Political Eaemiss Into .
Contest with = Professional Duoiiss
-ns Killed Hts Man After Receiving
Q Dangerous Wound.

Tho duel between Andrew Jackson
and Charles Dickinson. . Nashville
corporation attorney. occurred May 80.
1906. at Harrison Mills. q 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.
II 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 tho
fight were us remarkable as the duel
itself proved to be. though the result
WAS a very material surprise to Dick
enson and the men who urged on the
affair. II seems that Jackson's political
enemies had been looking around for
some one to provoke duS with him
and kill him. The man they at last
selected was Charles Dickenson. The
plan was TO have Dickinson deliberate
ly siandcr Jackson's wife aS the most
certain way to provoke duel or
street fi.ht. In which Jackson would
be killed. II was alarmingly success
full. but Jackson did not hurry Into the
affair fast enough to suit his enemies.
who did no, realize how thoroughly he
was preparing for the night he knew
was being deliberately provoked. He
had Important business to settle In
viov OF his possible death. He hardly
hoped to escnpe. so he deliberately
made his arrangements TO that end.
then he challenged Dickcnson.
The challenge was accepted and p!s-
tolls named. the distance 20 feet. This
Indicated tho purpose OF both to have q
fatal termination OF the aifrny. but
Jackson insisted on making the dis
tanee as short as possible. This rather
alarmed the professional duclist. for he
Understood readily that any man n; all
familiar with firearms could become a
dangerous opponent at this distance.
He preferred 80 feet. for at that dis
sanee he could kill Jackson with little
danger TO himself. lie was forced. how
ever. TO as,cc TO the shorter distance
- admit his covardicc. and this would
have spoiled everything.
When tho two parties arrived At the
place Of meeting Jackson was a. cool
rs an iceberg. but so was Dickcnson.
Tho latter. confident, of his ability TO
XIII his man before Jackson could
shoot. was quito unconscious OF the
fate about to ovcr;akc him. Gen. Over
ton was Jackson'a second. Together
they discussed the situation and were
quito agreed that Jackson had but
slight hope o! escape. As tho best
means OF being sure to carry Dickcn-
son with him. however. Jackson con-
ciudcd TO hold his fro until he could
take deliberate aim at his man. Dick
cnson was known as tho quickest sho;
in the south. Under the code a man
could nrc the moment the word was
given. and with the hair trigger pistols
bscd n quick shot usually fred before
the full word fire" had been pro-
nounccd by the second giving the COM
mand. Therefore Il was clear that
jackson would have TO receive Dickcn-
son't firc and then take chances on
living long enough 20 kill him. This
was a desperate chance. and tina. Il
was taken by "old Hickory" illustrates
tho strong determination of the man.
The men faced each other with heavy
duelinE 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-fircl" came the signal. and
scarcely had the word fire" been
heard when Dickcnson's pistol cxpiod-
cd and jackson whirlcd around. but in
an instant Strengthened TIP and with an
effort prepared to FIRE. Deliberately he
raised the great ducling pistol. Dick
enson. seeing he was caught. staggered
back with a cry. but Gen. Overton in
stantly drew a revolver and command
cd 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
Il came TO the proper range. Dicken-
son, 80 feet away closed his eyes. There
was an explosion. and the man fell
dead with hole in his head large
enough to put silver half dollar In.
"old Hickory" dropped at the same
time. being badly wounded. 1t was a
narrow escape. but looked like n ds-
pensation of Providence.