The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-17

Regarding the challenge. Judge Guild and Col Purvis greatly differ. Col. Purvis says Jackson challenged Dickinson at once, but 1t was months before the duel was fought
 If Dickinson had been possessed of an hundred lives Jackson would have taken them aIi." wrote Col. Purvis. According to Judge Guild. this in- suit had ben explained away to Jack 1 sons satisfaction, but trouble was brought on later by a fellow namtd Swann, young lawyer but just im- migrated from Virginia. During discussion about the abandoned race Jackson said something at which Swann took offense. and he later de- manded an explanation. He got 1t promptly by being denounced as a i, damned liar" Swann demanded a retraction and Jackson refused it. He also informed Swann that if he chal- lenged him he would be caned for his impudence. Swann sent a challenge and Judge Guild thus explains the outcome: S
 "Gen Jackson kept his word and on receipt of this message politely caned Mir Swann.' 4
 Dickinson Was a aCrack shot"
 Tn the sourse of correspondence with Swann. Jackson made reference to a base poltroon and cowardiy tale bearer, who always acts in the dark" and gave him permission to apply the latter to Mrf Dickinson" and add ing that, In justice to the latter, he wished that the letter be shown to him.
 Dickinson was q noted -crack shot. with the pistol. Maj Truman Says he fired four balls, each at the word of command into a spaee which could be covered by q silver dollar. at the distance of twenty-four feet. He cut a string in two at the same distance while standing. near a tavern, and re- quested the landlord, ine case Gen. Jackson should pass along that road to call his attention to it.
 This swagger did not have the effect of unnerying Jackson to any percepti- bie degree as his adversary soon learped.
 The duel was fought May 90. 1906. Judge Guild does not mention the place of meeting. but says 1t was long days ride from Nashville. Maj Truman says 1t was near "Adairsville. Tenn" The Cincinnati Commercial account say the place was on the Red river. in Logan County, Ken lucky. and the date May 2s. 1sos. It had been agreed that the combatants 
 ing their pistols down. and at the word they should fire at their pleasure Overton, who was Jackson's second. won the right to give the word and with characteristic old county ac. cent he gave command. Fl
 "FIREr,s
 Dickinson fired at once. Dust was seen to fly from the breast of Jack sons loose-fitiDg coat, and he placed his left arm across the spot with a tight grip,
 exclaimed Dickinson.
 Pack to the mark. sir" sternly commanded overtop. placing his hand on his pistol Dickinson resumed his place. Jackson deliberately raised his weapon, took careful aim and pulled the trigger, but the lock stopped at half-cock.
 Here was The Crucial Test.
 That was crucial indded a cruel test of Andrew Jackson's nerve. The average man would have i,been un- strung by the u1toward Incident. and missed the mark. But not Old Hickory Not By the Eternal" He re-cocked the pistol again took deliberate aim and fired. Dickinson paled, reeled. and was caught by his friends while sinking. He had fired his last shot. After day of intense suffering he died at o'clock that night. "My God. Gen Jackson! Are you hit?" cried the surgeon as Jack son and his party were walking from the field He had noticed blood oozing from one of Jackson's shoes.
 sAh. I believe he pricked me a | little. Let's look at it., responded Jackson, "But say nothing about # there" pointing to the house they were approaching. He afterwards ex- plained he did not want his enemy to have the satisfaction of Knowing | that, he had hit the mark in the last | test of his skill with, a weapon.