The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-05-29
FAMOUS DUEL IS RECALLED.
Story of Fight Between Benton and
Jackson RetO1d.

luncheon other guests persuaded the
speaker of the house to tell one of his
favorite stories-the tale of the Draw
between Andrew Jackson and Thomas
| Hart Benton, of Missouri.
He wasn't Thomas Hart Benton ot
Missouri, in those days, but Colone
Benton, of Tennessee, a state which
| has been the scene Of a great many
famous duels and gun fights The
fight took place in 1913, and curious
combination of circumstances led uI
to it. Benton had been one of Jack,
sons aides and had been sent tc
| Washington by Jackson to straighten
ont the generals financial affairs with
the Federal government. This Ben
ton did and did we'll.
In the meantime Benton's brother
Jesse Benton, quarreled with William
Carroll, one of Jackson's officers. The
quarrel proceeded in the conventional
manner, arrangements were made for
a duel. Jackson consented to act as
Carroll's second after he had tried
unsuccessfully to patch up the quar-
rel. Well, the duel took place and
both men were wounded.
Colonel Benton, away in Washing
ton, got news of it and came home
across the mountains, breathing out
threats of vengeance against Jackson.
Now Andrew Jackson, whatever his
shortcomings may have been, was not
the person to pull in his horns be-
cause of threats. Instead, he got his
''shootin' irons in order and was
waiting impatiently in Nashville for
Benton to come back.
They met on a Nashville street in
front of the City Hotel, September 4,
1918, and Jackson at once drew his
pistol. There are various accounts of
just what happened then. So many
things happened and in such rapid
succession that it is hard to give a
wholly accurate account of the ARRAY
that followed. Anyhow, Jackson gave
his adversary no time to draw gun,
but forced him into the hotel and was
backing him down hallway, a pistol
held close to his heart, when Jesse
Benton appeared. Jesse had a pistol
that at close range was almost as ef-
fective as a Gatling gun. He emptied
two bullets and slug into the fu-
ture president at short range, Jackson
fell, his left shoulder mangled and
his right arm shattered, and at that
moment up rushed John Coffee, one
of Jackson's aides. Coffee believed
Colonel Benton had laid his chief
low, and he began firing at him. Ben
ton fell down stairs and was out of
the combat.
In the meantime Stokely Hays, a
nephew of Jackson's, had drawn a
dagger and grappled with Jesse Ben
ton, whose right arm he finally pinned
to the floor with the knife. At this
stage of the fight innocent bystand-
ers," one or two of whom had been
wounded in the meantime, took a
hand and pulled the combatants
apart.
Everybody recovered from his
wounds, but the result of the duel was
that Benton was dead politically in
Tennessee. "Old Hickory" was al
ready a tremendous faverite IN the
mountain state, and shortly after he
had recovered from his wounds, he
won the battle of New Orleans. There
was not much popularity for the man
who tried to kill him, even though
the attempt may have been justifi-
able.
Benton struck out for pastures
new, duu IQS pcSIul Go AiS NhioSS wa -
those of Missouri. Eight years after
the fight in Nashville, Thomas H.
Benton went to Washington as the
first senator from Missouri. He serv-
ed for thirty years.
Jackson arrived as member of the
senate in 1928. His desk was next to
Benton's and there was considerable
breathless curiosity as they sat silent
and refusing to recognize one anoth-
er the first day Jackson took his
place. The quarrel, however, was
speedily forgotten. "Old Hickory
sent his card to Mr.. and Mrs. Ben
ton, and within an hour received
their cards in return. The next day
the two statesmen shook hands and
there was general applause in the
senate chamber as they did so.
During Jackson's two administra-
tions the senator from Missouri was
one of his most loyal adherents and
the two men were great friends. They