The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-04-14
She Caused a Terrible Dnel.


belle in Virginia in the early seventies,
and was innocently the cause of the
. bloodiest duel of modern times in the
State N Virginia-that between Page
Mccarthy and John B. Mordecai-whch
was fought in May, 1878, and which re-
suited in the death of Mordecai and the
desperate wounding of Mccarthy,
Mccarthy had been engaged to Miss
Triplett. but the engagement had been
broken off. In February, 1878, german
was given by the Richmond Club, one of
the most exclusive social organizations
in the city. Mccarthy and his former
fianceeswere placed viz-a>viz in one of
the figures, and as the only alternative
was for them to make a scene or dance.
they danced
There was some talk about the matter
among their friends, which was increas-
ed when few days later there appeared
in one of the local papers little poem.
In discussing this effusion at the Rich
mond Club the suggestion was made
that Mccarthy was the author and that
he referred to Miss Triplett. Mordecai
said that if this was the case the author
was "a poltroon, a coward and scoun-
drel.n 1t was not for several days that
this remark reached McCarthys ears,
and then it was coupled with reflections
on his courage in not having taken it
up sooner. He at once sent a note to
Mordecai, announcing that he was the
author of the poem, that there was no
| intention in it to reflect on Miss Triplett,
and demanding a retraction of the often
siye remark
The retraction was tnot forthcoming
and arrangements were made for a duel.
The police got wind of the affair, how
ever, the principals were arrested, and
finally a court of honor drew up a "car-
tel of truce which both men signed
agreeing to let the matter rest, and pro-
viding that under no circumstances
should either man speak to, or in any
wise recognize the other. They lived up
to the cartel until May 5. On that day
Mccarthy was in the billiard-room of
the club house playing billiards with IL
friend The subject of his trouble with
Mordecai came up, and he saidAthat
there had been a good deal of gossip
about the affair, that his courage had
been questioned, and that in the future
he should hold to strict accountability
! anybody who trihed with his good
name.
While he was talking Mordecai came
into the room. He overheard part of
McCarthy's remarks, and, walking up
to him, asked:
Are those remarks meant for me,
sir ~
"And who are you, sir?" asked Nc
Carthy, sneeringly.
I'm gentleman, sir" came the am
swer, in q voice trembling with passion.
'Ahm returned Mccarthy, contempt
uously.
The insulting tone was too much for
Mordecai, and he floored Mccarthy with
heavy blow in the face. He was a
much heavier man than his opponent.
and in the fight which followed McCar-
thy got much the worst OF it, and was so
badly used up that he was confined to
his bed for several days. Both men
came of fighting stock, were in the high
est class OF Virginia society, and after
such an affair duel was absolutely
necessary in the then condition of Rich
mond society.
While he was confined to his room
Mccarthy expressed to his mother the
fear that his friends might not be willing
to carry his challenge Do not let that
worry you, my son. said the Virginia
matron. If they will not carry it
will" This was not necessary, however,
for when Colonel w. b. Tabb was called
in he readily agreed to undertake to ar
range for the meeting on behalf of Me
Carthy. John s. Meredith was associat-
ed with him, and William L. Royal and
W. r. Trigg acted in behalf of Mordecai
The ground chosen was near lakewood
Cemetery, and the men were to fight
with navy revolvers at ten PAGES. Early
on the morning of May 8, 1878, the party,
accompanied by Drs. Hunter Mcclure,
who had been Stonewall Jackson's medi-
cal director. and J. s. d. Cullen, who
had filled the same position on Long
streets staff, appeared on the duelling
ground. AT the first shot both missed,
and Colonel Tabb asked Mccarthy if he
was satisfied.
mo, l want another shot, came the
quick response.
AT the second fire both men fell, Mc>
Carthy with ball in the hip and Morde,
cal with bullet through the stomach.
Before the. smoke cleared away Chief of
Police Poe came up on q gallop. He
was onlyin time to put the seconds under
arrest and assist in taking the wounded
men home.
The principals were taken to their
homes and few days later Mordecai
died from the effects of his wound The
seconds were in Jail for several weeks.
and guard was placed over Mccarthy
until he recovered sufficiently to stand
trial. He was found guilty of involans
tary manslaughter and fined $500 The
affair created intense excitement in Vir-
ginia, and the position of Miss Triplett
was extremely uncomfortable. Some
time after the duel she married Mr.
Philip Haxall and lived happily with
him.
The Virginia members of Congress, all
OF whom favor free coinage of silver, or
a 70 cent dollar, do not represent the
people of the State. They want sound
currency settled policy and durable
values, as the basis of business. and q
sound foundation upon which to build
They have had an instructive experience
within the last is months in inflated
values, and they know that when II
cents is swollen to represent 100 cents, il
is lust 30 cents of deception and fraud.
Miss Cora Moore, of Memphis, Tenn
drowned herself last Friday She was
to have been married soon, and anxiety
over it crazed her, with the result stated
Pitchers Castoria.