Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-02-25
VOLUME VII

the lividness of death, as a melancholy exam
pic Of the effects of false pride and false honor.
While the public mind was most excited on
this subject, who should drop in upon the good
citizens Of Columbus, Mississippi, but Shocco
Jones! Ye Gods what sensation in small
town! Only think Of il. The news was pas
sed from car to car in a low whisper, and as
secret too, until every man, woman and child in
the town and surrounding country was appri-
sed of his arrival The greatest anxiety was
manifested by all to sec this great sire eater"
even the ladies', notwithstanding their horror of
such terrible man, wished to see what he
looked like Their curiosity was soon gratifi-
cd, when it was ascertained to their great sur
prise, that there was not much of the horse or
the alligator either about him, notwithstanding
the press had generally pronounced him anon
ster In certain circles too, where bowie
knives and pistols are as common as tooth picks
after dinner in bar-room ola northern hotel,
he was acknowledged a lion'' of the first
water for having, in his cant phrase, ''drawn
his manhood to six feet, the lowest notch on re
cord in any country.
Notwithstanding the native suariier IN mo.
do of Shocco's character, there was an air OF
recklessness about bIIn, on his first appearance
in Columbus, that well accorded with the feel
ings Of the principal actor in such tragic
scene! Occasionally toe, he was Observed
particularly towards the close of dinner parties,
given for the purpose of drawing off his mind
from brooding over the death of Wllson--tou ut
ter incoherent sentencesl This tendency to
hallucination was observed 10 increase to such
an alarming ex tent as to induce more thor.
ough investigation of its cause, when it was
found to arise moro from excessive indulgence
in "the ardent than the melancholy event"
Many we're the pious CALCULATIONS uttered by
hls friends and the religious portion ofthecom
munity, over the wreck of /" so mach PROMISE
once embodied in young Jones, now alas =
blighted fLrever by that accurscd CUSTOM
Many a moral lecture and sermon was deliv-
cred to the young men OF Columbus and its VI
entity against duelliug and its effects, to which
Shocco furnished the text.t' 1t would not do
that Jones should be lost without an effort to
save him; no,-relgion, morality, humanity,
demanded that an effort should be made. a
consultation was, therefore, heldby al actua-
led by such laudable sentiments,and the result
was, that certain individuals were from time
to time to fan in company with Mr. Jones, as it
were accidentally, and endeavor by their con
versations to check the current of his thoughts
and restore his mind to its former happy condi-
ton. They, in accordance with the dOies as
signed them, did so, and in the course of a few
weeks wore gratificd with the conviction that
they had succeeded almost to the utmost ex-
tent Of their wishes. a marked change had
come over the spirit Of Shocco's dreams; he
mingled more IN society; talked on such sub
jccts as those around him felt interested IN ;
and, in place of beng monster, The ladies'
found out that he was "a very clever and a
greeabc fellow"
About the period when ii was fully establish
ed that Shocco was himself again, it was ascer-
tanned that he was a man of business, and that
he came to Mississippi clothed with power TO
arrange or collect the debts due by the Plant
ers and Agricultural Banks fthis State. to the
General Government; and in addition TO this,
that he had a large amount oil money in his
possession, belonging TO the Bank OF Cape
Fear, (North Carol'na) which he was author
lied to invest in Mississippi on ccl oln condl-
tons. Ills connexion with the Government
was ascertained through the United states
District Attorney, TO whom b0 gave notice,
that his services might be required, aud there
fore he must hold himself in readiness. He
also informed hun that he had letters from I'll
: Woodbury., the Secretary of the Treasury
His connection with the Cape Fear Bank was
ascertaincd through gentleman formerly 81
North Carolina, now connected with The
Real Estate Bank of Columbus" to whom he
communicated the additional fact, that if GER
tain arrangements among the officers OF then
Bank could be effected, he would grant a loaT
to them.
Although Shocco received much attention
on his arrival, still there was degree of cold
ness and restraint, that in all probability, was
|, not always agreeable; but since 1t became
! known that he had recovered from the shocl
occasoned by the fatal affalr-that he was ;
= Government officer, and above ALL that he wa
an agent to lend money for the Cape Fea
= Bank, he was viewed and treated very differ
: emily from what he had been on his debut il
! Mississippi, He was loolzedupon by the EN-
! borrassed gentlemen as sort of god-send Il
: hard times---by the kaOloilg ones as perfec
. oracle on all matters relating to-financc, an
: by g he hoods" it was believed, that he wa
the very pink Of chivalry. The opinions OF tn
|, ladies' 100 underwent some change, for the
J found out Mr. Jones was the very paragon
g perfection, and therefore a brisk competltlo
I. sprung up among them as TO which shout
= make the most favorable impression. Til
he could not avoid perceiving, and in return fC
this extrcme;cordialty he repaid them by tn
most polite aud marked attention, leaving th
!, matter perfect enigma as to which he mo;
: admired. " VIII leave Shocco for the pre-:
Il ent going the round of hospitality for who
Columbus is celebrated, whilst we give som
9 account of "The Real Estate Banb" an
IS matters relevant thereto. This Bank is notl
ING more than company of gentlemen VIII
{ associated themselves together (witlout
n charterl after the suspension of 1877, for Ii
n purpose Of banking themselves and their pa
3 ticular friends out Of their pecuniary diffictie
2, first pledging real estate, hence ther derive
81 the coonomen of " Real Estate Bank" The
e in accordance with the custom OF Mlssissip
Is Banks issued profuse'y unavailable paper,
7 and about the time Of Shocco's arrival, the
q found themselves in ticlllish condition. The
D. could not pay their honest debts, and mar
e suits had been commenced against them. 1
70 ret a loan. on almost any terms, was therefor
Of a great dcsidcraium: Il came through vaI
10 Gus channels to the gentlemen interested, til
Is If Mr. Gordon (Shocco's step-father) was a
e pointed president Of the concern, he (Shocc'
o. would negotiate on favorable terms. NEE
y ing Of the stockholders was therefore called
N take this matter into consideration. ThI
I, met and discussed the subject thorough
y when il was asccrtaincd that Mr. Waltiall, q
G, pwsident Of the Bank, whom they bad be-
~ putting for two years previous as great
~ nancief, knew rOthing OF the sublccb but I'll
Mr. Gordon did know all about #. They, ther
~ fore, without any ceremony, gave Mr. W.
g thai his walking papers and appointed n
~ Gordon President, with asalary OF three tho
us sand dollars q year! This preliminary hayi
= been taken Sh0cco commenced the negotiate
y m good earnest. The leading points oft We