The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-02-21

last Minstrel" .I.rH
About three miles north of Go
lumbia, on the road which rum
parallel with the river, in a lovely
spot near the road, is a spring, Civ
ing forth then as now, "a copiou.
flow of water, which had at tha,
time acquired celebrity for its min
eral and curative properties. Al
soon as the seat of government was
located at Columbia, All arrange
ment which, though it proved to he
only temporary, was thought by
many to be permanent, an enter
prising and thrifty citizen by the
name of Stoval conceived the idea
of making that place y fashionable
resort, and in pursuance of his de
sign built at Columbia a large, and
tor that day, an elegant hotel, one
wing of which was occupied by the
Legislature during it's session ut
that town. He also about the same
time bought the plantation At the
Springs, aud erected, u short dis.
tunce from the Springs, a largo
! frame hotel and the Outbuildings
necessary for watering place, the
whole fronting and overlooking the
river. The fame of "Columuia:
Springs" or "St0vall's Springs !"
as they were sometimes called,
spread through the country, and
the attraction of the waters, and
more than that the superb deer
hunting and fishing facilities OF the
place soon attracted large numbers
of summer visitors, most of whom
came from the region liear the
Mississippi river, between Baton
Rouge and Wick sburg, incluing the
counties of Wilkinson, Adams, JEFF
ferson and Claiborne and many
from the cities Of New Orleans and
Natchez. Nearly all came iu their
own conveyances, which during
their stay afforded facilities for
driving over the level roads in the
vicinity of the Springs. Many la
dies were there, and the crowd
passed their time iH feasting, dan
cling, driving, rowing, billiards, ten,
pins, hunting, fishing and other
gayeties and amusements.
lu the summer of 1926, when the
season was at its height, the crowd
at the Springs was unusually large
and brilliant, there being quite a
number of distinguished persons
there, and, for the better preserva-
ton of order and decorum in the
social arrangements of the place,
the guests formed themselves into
sort of social organization, aud
by one of its acts a Well known
gentleman planter of high position
living near NatcheZ was made mas
ter of ceremonies at the table, and
to him were referred all questions
of precedence rs to seats, etc.
Among the guests was Judge Rich
ard Stockton, of Natchez, who, AS
will be seen, is the central figure of
this tragedy. He was the son of
the Richard Stockton, of New Jer
sey, who signed the declaration of
independence, had been a Judge of
the superior court of Mississippi,
and was at the time of these events
attorney general of the State. His
family name and illustrious descent
gave him prest which was tul.
ly sustained by his splendid scho
lastlc and judicial attainments, aud
his brilliant and amiable social
qualities. Another visitor was a
of New Orleans by the
name of Payson, who was accom-
panied by his wife. One day lady
friend OF the PaysOns arrived from
New Orleans, associating at once
with them. In taking seats at the
dinner-table, the PaysOns took the
seats tisualls occupied by them, aud,
without consulting the proper an.
thOrity or any one else, aud, as Mr..
PaysOn afterwards declared, with
out intending or even thinking of
any improperly, seated their visl.
tor by their side, thus crowding
others of the company lower down
the table. The mistake was at
once noticed, and Stockton, who
sat near Payson, made spirited
remark about it which called out
from Payson a sudden, angry and
response. The master of
ceremonies in vain called them to
order. The excitement in a mo-
pent infected the whole company
1t the table, aud both Stockton and
PaysOn were about drawing pistols
1t each other, when IA distinguished
ady threw herself between them,
md with vehement and wild pro-
estations besOusht them to desist,
which after some further persuasion
hey did, aud the company went on
With the dinner, eating, however,
hastily and in silence, tue recent
disqualifying them for
he enjoyment of their accustomed
vine aud cheerful conversation. AS
he guests were retiring, Stockton
made a remark to the effect that he
would have satisfaction from Pay
OH, which, being overheard by the
after, he gave back words which
.reatly aggravated the quarrel.
All was now intense excitement,
nd the talk was entirely of redress
Inder "the code of hofior,' which !
vas considered the proper thing at {
hat day. Stockton must of course '
I,allanna DarSot. huf hara =, dif6 I