The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-08
A M E. r &c A N s
Andrew jackson Carried His Pistols
for Twenty-four Years to De-
fend the Good Name of
Rachel Donelson

should have satisfied himself as to the
status Of the suit before proceeding to
Natchez to get married. Mention Of the
matter by a man made him furious. but
knowledge Of his carelessness only added
to his consideration for his wife and to
the tenderness OF his love for her.
Through all the thirty-seven years
that they lived together he sought to
make amends for the sorrow he had
brought to her through his careless
ness. The very fact that he was 90
foroeful and climbed so high magnified
the importance of that error In regard
to the Richards divorce. Successful men
make enemies. Imperious ones like Jack
son make many OF them.
In 1895 Tennessee applied for state.
hood. Jackson was "a member OF the
constitutional convention. II was he
who gave the name Tennessee to the
state. He was elected as Tennessee
first Representative in Congress. He
had been a Representative only a short
time when he was appointed United
states Senator. He resigned that Office
N 1898 to become Judge If the Supreme
Court OF Tennessee and to be near his
wife. who would not leave her home and
to whom the supposed splendors OF life
in the national capital had no attractions
Above everything else while he was
either In public life or in private life
jackson was a politician. lie ruled
Tennessee. but his wife ruled him. The
surcst way to his favor was to win the
good opinion Of Aunt Rachel"
His enemies In their bitterness against
him referred by innuendo or indirectly
to the irregularity OF his marriage
John Sewer. the greatest Indian fighter
Of his time. sinned I'm this way twice
The first time brought a challenge from
jackson. SEWER declined duel. He
was thirty years older than Jackson and
had proved his bravery on many fields
The second time Jackson announced
that he would horsewhip Gen. Sewer on
sight. When they did meet Jackson at
tackled Sewer with his cane but by
stinders interfered.
Then came the duel with Dickinson.
In this affair Jackson was wholly justi-
fled. according to the standards Of the
day. Dickinson. who was eager for
political recognition. publicly branded
Jackson as a coward and attacked the
reputation OF Jackson's wife. Dickin-
son was famous marksman and had
killed his man. Jackson was poor
shot.
The duel was on Kentucky soil.
Dickinson fired first and shot to Kill.
When Jackson did not fall Dickinson
was amazed and possibly bit terrified.
He stepped hack from the mark. The
seconds ordered him to take his position
again.
Jackson took deliberate aim and fired.
Dickinson fe:l shot through the intes-
tines. Dickinson died that night. Jack
son walked OF the field slowly and
without any sign Of emotion. Not until
several minutes later did he inform his
seconds that he was desperately
wounded. He had been shot through
the upper breast and one OF his boots
was fun Of blood lie was laid up a
month.
His affair with Thomas II. Benton
was even more serious. Jackson was
shot in the shoulder. The bullet re-
manned there nineteen years. While he
still was laid up with this wound the
Creek war came on. He as Ma jor-
General OF the Tennessee militia took
command. He was so weak that he
had to he lifted on his horse.