The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1888-04-07


Stockton suggesting That he had
heard something elisparaging of
Payson, Gen. Ripley promptly res
Ipl:ed, II have SAID Mr.. Payson is
Il gentleman. Ii it Is disputed, l
profess myselfto be one" Find
ing that the old soldier "meant
business, !" the question was
treated as settled, the challenge
to fight was accepted, arrange
ments were made, and by the
cqrtel some time was given for
arrangements, when the parties
We're to meet and fight at Tue city
of New Orleans.
While negotiations We're going
on at the Springs, Il quarrel on
the all cngrossing topic arose be-
tween two yonng gentlemen
named Russ and Gibbs, the one Il
wealthy planter and the other Il
young lawyer le>idlng In Jeffer-
son county. This dispute at the
Springs eliminated in / duel be-
tween the two young men, which
was fought shortly afterwards, on
the west bank of the Mississippi
River, opposite Gland Gulf. The
weapons used were muskets. At
the first fire both parties fell, NOR
tally wounded. they were i'm
mediaiely brought across the
river TO the house Of friend aud
placed in the same room. For
glvensses were cnterchanged and
one died in Il few hours. The
other languishcl several months
and then died Of his wound.
At The time designated for the
purpose, Stockton and Payson
met at New Orleans aud fought
with pistols. At the first ire
Stockton was snot through the
head, aud in a moment the gifted
scion of an illustrious house lay
dead upon the field of honor!
Before leaving the ground the Sec
onds found paper in the pocket
ot Stockton, written by himself,
stating in substance, that his own
conduct had been rash and wrong
from the beginning; and that it
was his intention if he should sur
vlve the first fire, to acknowledge
his error and make the amende
honorable. But, alas! His good
Intentions came too late. Mr..
Payson, the survivor, lived YEAR
or two and Was accidentally
drowned IN the Mississippi River
ut New Orleans.
Here the reader will permit an
episode which may prove interest
ing. Among the lady guests at
the Springs-at the time of the
events above narrated, was a.
wealthy, elegant aud accomplished
middle aged widow, who was
recognized as y leader IN the so
ciety ot the place. Stockton, who
was a bachelor, was thought 10 be
"A suitor for her hand. In the
year 1912, when she was quite
young, she was engaged TO be
married to u brilliant yonng law
yer, of wealthy family. Hc;be.
came involved in a quarrel which
led to a duel in which ne was
killed. The next year, 1913, at
which tine we were at war wlrh
Great Gritain, his antagonist, who
had a mfn.ary command, was as
signed for ddt5- at Fort Minis, in
Alabama. In the memorable In
dian attack and massacre at that
fort, he was killed. rhe lady,
some time after the affair at the
Springs, married Il worthy and
talented gentleman, who was alter
wards a United States Senator. |
I his lady distinguished herself by |
u noblc.act of philanthropy, which |
has become part Of the Judicial
history of tho State. She and |
her gifted husband are long since
dead aud have left honored MEM
orics.
The thrilling events here mar
rated could not be forgotten, but
to aliye 10 the awe
struck minds Of mer," and would !
not "down." The ''season" at
the Springs never opened again,
and from thelccforward, the /
place, as u fashionable resort, be.
came deserted and a ruin.
Soon after the Springs were
closed as public resort, the
property was purchased for cul-
tIyailon by a planter named MAJ
tin Lewis, whose nameis gwen by
the writer of this article as tri:
butte to his moral worth, and a5 .
token Of gratitude for the kind-
ness of which he has been the
recipient 10 his hospitabIe home
many days and nights in the years
gone by, when planter hospitality
was something worth reaiziag.