The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-02-22

per tnlng AT tnat DAY. STOCKTON mus
Of course challenge Payson, but her
the difficulty arose. As Mr.. PaysoI
a. had few if any acquaintance at thu
Springs, his social status was not salts
r. factorily defined, and, as he was no
known byJudge Stockton to be a gentle
man, the friends of the latter insisted
that he should not compromise himself
by sending challenge. Payson signi-
fled his assent to this mode of arbitra-
ment; but, for the reason just given,
no arrangement could be made Thus
i with the feeling augmented by delay
il the matter remained in suspense for
/ two or three days and nights, when, to
f the relief of all concerned, General Rip
e ley, OF New Orleans, arrived Payson
s said he would refer the question to Gen
/ eral Ripley, whose civic and military
renown, so well known to the readers
: of the history of our second war with
. Great Britain, would give to his decis-
ion character beyond question. On
being inquired of General Ripley said
in substance that he knew Mr.. Payson
well, that he knew him to be gentle
f man, and that whereverhe was known
, he was so recognized. On one of the
friends Of Stockton suggesting that he
had heard something disparaging of
Payson, General Ripley promptly re-
, piled, ~ have said Mr.. Payson was a
gentleman. If it is disputed, profess
myself to be one" Finding that the
old soldier "meant business" the ques-
ton was treated as settled, the chal-
lenge to fight was accepted, arrange
ments We're made, and by the cartel
some time was given for arrangements,
when the parties were to meet and fight
at New Orleans.
While negotiations were going Oh ut
the Springs, quarrel on the all en-
crossing topic arose between two young
gentlemen named Ross and Gibbs, the
one q wealthy planter and the other Il
young lawyer residing in Jefferson
county. This dispute at the Springs
eliminated in a duel between the two |
| young men, which was fought shortly |
afterwards, on the west bank of the |
Mississippi river, opposite Grand Gulf
The weapons used were muskets. At
the first fire both parties fell MORALLY
wounded. They were Immediately
brought across the river to the house of
friend and placed in the same room.
forgiveness were interchanged and
one died in few hours. The other
languished several months aud then
died of his wound.
AT the time designated for the pur-
pose, Stockton and Payson met al New
Orleans and fought with pistols. AT
the first fire Stockton was shot through :
the head, and in moment the gifted .
scion of an illustrious house lay dead !
upon the field of honor! Before leav-
ing the ground the seconds found a I,
paper in the pocket of Stockton, written
by himself stating in substance that q
his own conduct had been. rash and u
wrong from the beginning; and that it
was his intention, if he should survive |!
the first fire, to acknowledge his error II
and make the 0nlel,2e hOROru5e But,
alas His good intentions came too
ate. Mr.. Payson, the survivor, lived
year or two and was accidently drown
ID in the Mississippi River at New Or ty
cans. dc
Here the reader will permit an cpl pa
ode which may prove interesting. yG
Imong the lady guests at the Springs to
t the time of the events above narrat- sa
d, was a wealthy, elegant and accom-.
lished middle aged widow, who was
ecogniZed as a leader in the society of
he place. Stockton, who was bach
lor, was thought to be sutor for her
and. In the year 1912, when she was
ute young, she was engaged to be no
larried to brilliant young lawyer, of
wealthy family. He became inv0Iy- ge
4 in a quarrel which led to a duel in
,hch he was killed. The next wear. rOl
3l3, at which time we were at war with
treat Britain, his antagonist, who had pin
military command, was assigned for
uty at Fort Mimms in Alabama In a +
lie memorable Indian attack and mas rat
lcre at the Fort, he was killed. The cal
dy, some time after the affair at dal
lie Springs, married worthy and tai toy
tied gentleman, who was afterwards wa
United States Senator. This lady dis rs
lguished herself by noble act of NH
nthropy; which has become a part of VI
e judicial history of the State, She
ID her gifted husband are long since
ad and have left honored memories nr1
The thrilling events here narrated J'H
lid not be forgotten, but continued -
olive in awe-struck minds of men y
| would not "down." The "seasonu III
-he Springsnever opened again. and It's
M thenceforward, the place, as n It's
resort, became deserted and "i ~ i
uin. It's
soon after the Springs closed ms a :, It
bic resort, the property was purchas- ' Its s.
for cultivation by planter named tons
rtin Lewis, whose name is given nv lully
writer of this article as tribute 70
moral worth, and as token of ID ID re
titude for the kindness of which he ''''"'
been the recipient in his hospitable r..
ne many days and nights in the PEr u
rs gone by when planter hospitality The
, something worth realizing. This Cor'
client old man died many wears '' Kin ',S
, and was buried in the family grave. inslru
i near the Springs, where a marble eontor
with the epitaph, az know that nv ~ -.
eemer liveth," marks the Iast ny u
ing place of Matin Lewis. Peace to =,
lshes and honor to his memory. 6 N% NJ
II the buildings erected for the nse Asa
ne watering place have long since
yed or been removed, except the The
n building, large two-story house Two
IA is still there and occupied bv a '''''
ly. The large hall on the first floor
its high brick fireplace and elnb- send ar
Fly carved wooden manteIpiece. * CouEr
there, a ghOstly reminder of the II 70
thrOng who once flOated through Ain
may dance. But now, per.
'Tts lights are fed, its garlands dead
the place is desOlati1n. The That
Is herein described were once mat
j Wen known public history. but A spe
ing witnesses only "a few survive. Tree 10 a
in few years more all will I've -
The spring is still there near fine
idle, occasionally visited by = W
Ter, with that wierd interest which w
ay suppose 10 attach To the sprino II you
bill Grey so beautifully Described
,ar1lio ~ sun gIrgles up from 4 larg
= down its gravelly descent To the
ch" below, unchanginr tvcr