Humpday History Highlight
By Wyatt Earp | June 24, 2009
Instead of the usual clip from History.com, I decided to post another installment of It is fast becoming one of my favorite books.
Richard Lawrence (right) fires at President Jackson (third from left).
January, 1835 – 125,000 To One
On a gray Friday in January, President Andrew Jackson attended a funeral service at the U.S. Capitol. Richard Lawrence was waiting behind a pillar as Jackson walked out. The president was just eight feet away when Lawrence pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired at point-blank range.
He was so close he couldn’t possibly miss. But the pistol misfired. Much to the horror of everyone present, Lawrence pulled out a second pistol. But the second pistol misfired.
There was nothing wrong with the pistols. They were loaded correctly. They just didn’t go off. It was later estimated that the odds against both pistols misfiring was 125,000 to 1.
Wow, with luck like that Jackson should have done a lot more Mississippi riverboat gambling.
Topics: HHH | 7 Comments »
June 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Cool. Wool lint on the flint striker? Percussion caps wouldn’t come along for a few more years.
Andy had the luck, Teddy had the brass cajones. After taking a .32 round thru the pocket bible in his vest pocket, and an inch or so into his into his chest cavity, watching the would be assasin get subdued, he then continued speaking off the back of the train for 45 more minutes with the round still in his chest:) LOL Now thats a guy I could vote for.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Someone was looking out for Jackson that day.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Aw, you left out the best part, about how Jackson (aka, “Old Hickory”) proceeded to use his cane to deliver such a massive ass beating to his assailant that by-standers had to physically restrain him to keep him from killing the guy.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Interesting bit of history! Thanks!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
That’s why Jackson is my president of choice in the quarter slots! Heh.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Jon – TR is far and away my favorite president. If you get the chance, read Theodore Rex, by Edmund Morris. It is fantastic.
RT – Agreed.
TCK – 100% correct. I probably should have put that nugget in.
Old NFO – You’re welcome!
Proof – Well played!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Andy was a tough old S.O.B.