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


vicinity of The Springs. Nam
ladies were there, and the crowo
passed their time in feastlng
dancing, driving rowing, billiards
ten-pins, hunting, fishing, ant
other gayeties aud amuscments.
In the summer of 1926, wher
the season was ut its height, tn,
crowd at the Springs was unusual
ly large and brilliant, there being
quite number Of distinguished
lpersons there, and, for the better
preservation of order and deco
rum IN the social arrangements OF
the place, th,gucsts formed thom.
selves INTO sort of social organi.
zatlOn, and by one of its acts ;
wei. known gentleman planter o.
high position living near Natchez
'was made master OF ceremonies al
the table, aud 10 him were referred
all questions of precedence as to
scats, etc. Among the gucsst
was Judge Richard Stockton, OF
Natchez, who, is will be seen, i,
the central figure of this tragedy
lie was the sou of the Richard
Stockton, of New Jersey, who
signed the declaration of indie
pcndence, had been IL Judge of
the Superior Court of Mississippi,
aud was at the time of these evcuts
Attorney General of the Stae.
HIS family name and illustrious
descent gave him prestige which
was fully sustained by his splendid
scholastic and judicial attuinments,
aud his brilliant and amiahlc social
qualities. Another visitor was Il
merchant of New Orleans. by the
name of Payson, who was accom-
panied by his wife. Onc day Il
lady friend of the Paysons arrived
from New Orleans, associating at
once with than. In taking seats
at the dinner-tablc, the Paysons
took the seats usually occupied
by them, and without consulting
tue proper authority or any Que
else, and, US Mr.. Payson after
wards declared. without intending
or even thinking of any improprlc-
ty, seated their visitor by lhcir
side, thus cruwding others of the
company lower down the table.
The mistake was at once noticed,
and Stockton, who sat near Pay
son, made spirited remark about
it which called out from Payson
sudden, angry and insulting re-
spouse. The master OF ceremonies
i'll vain called them to order. The
excltenen IN a moment infected
the whole company at the table,
and both Stockton and Payson
we're about dIawing pistols at
each Uther, when a distinguished
lady threw herself between them,
and with vehement and wild pro-
IeStatlons besought them to desist,
,vsich aftsr some further persua-
siol. they did, and the company
went Oh with the dinner, eating,
however, hastily and III silence,
the recent excite .nent disquaIify-
ing them for the enjoyment of
their accustomed Vino aGd cheer
full conversation. As the e.,ests
We're retiring, Stockton made u
remark to the effect that he would
have satisfaction from Payson,
which, being.oyerhearl by the lat
ter, he gave back words which
greatly aggravated the quarrel.
All was now intense excitement,
and the talk was entirely Of redress
under "thc code of honor" which
was considered the proper thing at
that day. Stockton must of
course challenge Payson, but heIe
a difficulty arose. As Mr.. Pay
son had fe " if any acquaintance
at the Springs, his social status
was not satisfactorily defined;
and, as he was not known by Judge
Stockton to be a gentleman, the
friends of the latter insisted that
he should not compromise him
self by sending a challenge. Pay
son siguified his assent TO this
mode of arbitrament, but, for
the reason just givon, no aprange-
ment could be made. Thus, with
the feelings augmented by delay,
the matter remained in suspense
for two or three davs and nights,
when, TO the relief of all cOnceraed
Gen Ripley, of New Orleans, ar
rived. Payson SAID he would refer
the question of his social standing
70 Gen. Ripley, whose civic and
renown. SO we'll known to
the readers of the history OF our
second war with Great Britain,
would give to his decision chars
acter beyond question. On being
inquired Of, Gen. Ripley said in
substance that he knew Mr.. Pay