The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-28
The Intricacies OF the Code OF Honor.


BY the following account and correspondence it will be
how very intricate and NICE and we might say how
very childish and foolish the various points qub-
bles which sometimes arise between individuals who re-
cognse the code Of honor present established n the
Southern and Southwestern States.
appears by this that newspaper controversy arose
between Mr. Victor W Thompson, editor of the Lexington
Missouri Advocate, and Mr. J. j. Denson editor of Hills
boro paper at the conclusion Of which the latter sent
challenge to the former, through Mr. H. Purdom editor
of the Jackson Miss, Eagle Of the South. Mr. Thompson
refused to meet benson, the ground that he did
up to the standard of gentleman recognized by the
code, and thus it was rendered, by the law oblga-
tory the part Of Purdom call Thompson out and the
challenge was accepted.
The fight was TO have taken place Arkansas opposite
Memphis, Tenn at 10 O'Clock the morning of the 18th
inst; but his way to the field Thompson was arrested
and beld In custody This certainly annoying; but
prevent disappointment the part of Purdom who
on the ground at the appointed time, another omp
son, brother Of the first principal TO take his
place, by which event. the code had been strictly
red out, deadly conflict would have ensued between
Samuel N. Thompson and r. II. Purdom, without a par
tce of bitter feeling the part Of ether while the real
Of difficulty which would lead TO il between "
W. Thompson and j. j. benson But Mr.. Purd0m refused
to fight Thompson number two and with his friends le
the ground The details of the affair will be found in the
following
The friends of Mr. Purdom, Latham and j. B. McAnee,
publish the correspondence leading 70 the difficulty, and
We reached Memphis on Saturday morning last for the
purpose of meeting Mr. Thompson at his appointment
Apprehendng an arrest we employed sks last night and
crossed the MISSISSIPPI river this morning before sunrise
and at the place long before and for hour after
the time appointed Mr. Thompson failed to appear ac
cordDg 10 appointment II was either his fault his
fortune No matter what was the reason,
ieved by the code from any blame in the premises the
time and place were both Of his selection.
On the other side the following card appears
In accordance with previous arrangement, my friend
Colonel Victor W. Thompson, repaired To Memphis on Sa
turday last Mr. Purdom and friends arriving in advance
Of us. The intelligence that hostile meeting take
place between Mr.. r. II. Purdom and Colonel Thompson
had proceeded and II well under stood that such a
meeting was to come of before reached the city. On
Sunday following four OF the prominent citizens Of Mem
phs applied 10 myself and Dr. Latham-the friend OF Mr.
Pwdom-requestng us 70 suspend hostilites, with the
view and hope Of settling the matter between Mcssrs
Thompson and Purdom, which request assented by
parties, that the interview should take place n.Arsansas
opposite Memphis, at ten clock, on Monday 18th inst.
The rumors OF the pending difficulty which had reached
Memphis before our arrival put the public authorities
the alert, and accordingly my friend Colonel V. W.
leaving this city for the Arkansas shore. He taken
before Esquire Horne with view Of binding him to keep
The peace; but the evidence not being sufficient 10 justify
such proceeding he was discharged at hafpast ten
o'clock and Immediately proceeded Arkansas shore
when he met AIR. PuTdom in the act Of leaving.
Col Thompson stepped upon the bank and proclaimed
aoua iha be was then upon the ground and ready to
meet Mr. Pursom; and that " he (Purdom) left without
gving him (rbompson) satisfaction he denounced him
furoom) as cowardy poitroon; after which Col
lhompson went aboard the boat and insisted upon Dr.
Iaiham that be and his principal should remain--to
which urgent request he received no reply.
IL hh proper 10 state here that Col Thompson, at the
time Of hs arrest, finding impossible for him 70 meet
MI Furdom al the time stipulated, sent message by Dr.
W Bryan, from Mr.. Samuel NJ Thompson stating that
his brother was under arrest but that he was ready TO
take ms (Col v W. Thompson 81 place, and autho-
rized 10 act for him but Mr. Purdom replied through Dr.
Latham his friend that uDknd feeling existed between
Mr. Samuel NJ Thompson and himself and refused 10
make any reply TO such message.
The citizens OF Memphis who present on the occa
sion wfl testify TO the correctness Of th8 statement
have no comments TO make. The public will determine
upon whom ress the charge Of "equivocatonr or the
honor OF rendering the olive branch.