The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-02-21
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PAsCAGoULA, JACKSON COUNTY, MISS: FEBRUARY a. 1879

( challenge. Payson signifi-d bis
assent to this mode of arbitrament
, but, for the reason just gisen, nc
arrangement could be made. Thus
with the feeling augmented by de-
lay, the matter remained in sus
pense tor two or tkee days and
nights, when, to the relief of all
concerned, Gen. Ripley, of New
Orleans, arrived. Payson said he
would refer the question of his so.
cial standing to Gen. 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 decision
a character beyond question. On
being inquired of, Gen. Ripley said
IN substance that he knew Mr.. Pay
son well, that he knew him to be a
gentleman, and that wherever he
was known he was so recognized.
On one of the friends of Stockton
Suggesting that he had heard some
thing disparaging of Payson, Gen.
Ripley promptly repli, d, ~ have
said Mr.. Payson is gentleman. Ifit
is disputed, profess myself to be
one" Finding that the old soldier
"meant business" the question was
treated as settled, the challenge to
fight was accepted, arrangements
were made, and by the cartel some
time was given for arrangements,
when the parties were to meet aud
fight at the city of New Orleans.
While negotiations were going
on at the Springs, a quarrel OIL the
all engrossing topic arose between
two young gentlemen named Ross
aud Gibbs, the one wealthy plan.
ter and the other young lawyer
residing in Jefferson county. This
dispute at the Springs eliminated
in duel between the two young
men, which was fought shortly at,
terwards, 0n the bank of the Mis-
sissippi river, opposite Grand Gulf.
The weapons used were nuskets. AT
the first fire both parties tell mort
ally wounded. They were immedi-
ately brought across the river to
the house of friend and placed in
the same room. Forgivenesses we're
interehanged and one died in a few
hours. The other languished sew
eral mouths and then died of his
wound.
At the time designated for the
purpose, Stockton and PaysOn met
at New Orleans and fought with
pistols. At the first fire Stockton
was shot through the head, and in
Il moment the gifted scion of an it,
lustrous house lay dead upon the
field of honor. Before leaving the
GROUND the seconds fOunda paper in
the pocket of Stockton, written by
himself, stating in substance that
his own conduct had been rash and
wrong from the beginning; and
that it was bis intention if he
should survive the first fire. to ac.
knowledge his error and make the
amende honorable. But, alas. His
good intentions came too late. Mr..
Paysou, the survivor, lived % year
or two and was accidentally drown,
ed in the Mississippi river at New
Orleans.
Here the reader will permit an
episode %hich may prove interest
ing. Among the lady guests at the
Springs at the time of the events
above narrated, was wealthy, ele-
giant and accomplished middle.aged
widow, who was recognized as a
leader in the society of the place.
who was "a bachelor, was
thought o be a suitor for her hand.
In the year 1872, when she was
quite young, she was engaged to be
to u brilliant young lawyer
of wealthy family. He became
involved III u quarrel which led to
!, duel in which he was killed. The
next year, 1913, at which time we
were at war with Great Britain, his
who had "A military com
mand, was assigned tor duty at
Fort Minis, in Alabama. In the
honorable Indian attack and mas
sacre at that fort, he Was killed.
The lady, some time after the at
fair at the Springs, married "A wor-
thy aud talented gentleman, who,
was atterward United States sen.
ator. This lady distinguished her
self by noble act of philanthropy,
which has become part OF the
judicial history of the State. She
and her gifted husband are long
since dead and have lett bOnored
memories. ...... .. 49,.
The thrilling events here nara
ed could not be fOrgOtten,bu but con-
,inued to "live il the awe-struck
minds of men, and would lot
'uown." The season at the
Springs never opened again, aud
rom thenceforward, the place, as
! fashionable resort, became de-
ierted and ruin.
Soon after the Springs were
losed as "a public resort, the pro- ,
,erty was purchased for the culti- ,
alton by planter named Martin
ewis, whose name is given by the :
writer of this article as a tribute to
lis moral worth, and as token of
,ratitude for the kindness of which
e has been the recipient in bis ,
Iospitable home many days aud b
lights in the years gone by when a