The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-06
,,NocENrLY CAUSED A DUEL.
Mrs. Haxall's Death Recalls the Fight
Between McCar:y and Mordecai.
rIrop, the Ne1p York Herald


From the Nel1 York Herald.
RICHMOND, VA, April 3.-Mrs. Philip
uar.ll died in this city this morning. She
r,s before her marriage, Miss Mary Trip
,.,t reigning bell in Virginia In the early
-os and was lnnocently the cause of the
,Ioodiest duel of modern times in this state
that between Page McCarty and John
p Vordecai-which was fought in May,
1s-3 and which resulted in the death of
Mordecai and tide desperate wounding OF
McCsrty.
,att but the engagement had been broken
Of In February, 1878, german was given
nv the Richmond Club, one Of the most ex~
ciusiye social organizations in the city.
WoCarty aud his former fdncee were
DIsced Uts-G-uiS in one of the figures, and
~ the only alternatives were for them to
make scene or dance, they danced.
There was some talk about the matter
among their friends, which was increased
when a few days later there appeared in one
OF the local papers the following:
THE FIRST FIGURE IN THE GERMAN.
We have received for publication the follow
ing poem. loving swain, who, doubtless, has
been kicked by his sweetheart:
When Mary's queenly form press,
In strauss latest waltz.
would as well her lips caress,
Although those lips De false.
For still with fire Love tips his darts,
And kindles up anew
The flame which once consumed my heart
When those dear lips were true.
OF form so fair. OF faith so faint,
II truth were only in her,
Though she'd been the sweetest saint,
I'd still feel like q sinner.
MORDECAI's pENUNCIATION
In discussing this etfuSion at the Rich
mond Club the suggestion was made that
McCarty was the author and that be re-
ferred TO Miss Triplett. Mordecai said that
if this was the case the author was "a
paltroon, coward and a scoundrel.n
1t was not for several days that this re-
mark reached McCarty's 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 Mordecaf, an
pouncing that be was the author of the
poem that there was no intention in it to
reflect on Miss Triplstt and demanding a re-
traction of the offensive remark.
The retractlon was not forthcoming and
arrangements were made for duel. The
police got wind Of the affair, however, the
principals were arrested and finally court
of honor drew up cartel of truce" which
both men signed, agreeing to let the matter
rest and providing that under DO circum-
stances should either man speak to or in any
way recognize Ln6 QbQers
They lived up to the cartel until May 5.
On that day McCarty was In the billiard
room OF the club house playing billiards
with friend. The subject of his trouble
with Mordecai came up and he said that
there had been a good deal Of gossip about
the affair, that his courage had been CUES
toned, and that in future he should hold to
q strict accountability anybody who trified
with mis- good name.
AM A GENTLEMAN.
While he was talking Mordecai came into
the room. He overheard a part OF Mo
Carty's remarks, and, walking up to him,
asked:
"Are those remarks meant for me, sirg'
And who are you, sir9" asked McCarty,
sneeringly.
I'm a gentleman, air" came the answer,
IN q voice trembling with passion.
"Ahw returned McCarty contemptu-
ously.
The insulting tone was too much for
Mordecai. and he foored McCarty with
heavy blow in the face. He was a much
heavier man than his opponent, and in the
fight which followed McCarty 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 fighteng stock, were in
the highest class OF Virginia, and after such
the then condition of Richmond society
While he was confined to his room Nc
Carly 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 l will.n
This was not necessary, however. for
when Col. W. B. Tabb was called in he
readily agreed to undertake to arrange for
the meeting on behalf of McCarty. John
s. Meredith was associated with him, and
William r. Royal aud 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 9, 1873, the party, accom-
panied by Drs. Hunter Mcclure, who had
been Stonewall Jackson's medical director,
end j. s. d. Cullin, who had filled the same
position on Longstreet's staff, appeared on
the duelling ground.
At the first shot both missed, and Col.
Iabb asked McCarty il he was satisfied.
WANTED ANOTHER SHOT.
No, I want another shot," came the
quick response.
At tho second fire both men fell, McCarty
with ball IN the hip and Moredcal with a
bullet through the stomach,
Before the smoke had cleared away Chief
OF Police Poe came up on gallop he was
only in time to put the seconds under arrest
and assist in taking the wounded men home
While Mordecai lay on the ground he
SAID to his seconds. He can have another
shot If he wants it."
The principals were taken to their homes
and few days later Mordecai died from
the effects of his wound. The seconds we're
In jail for several weeks. and a guard was
placed over McCarty until be recovere
sunicisntly to stand trial. He was found
fined $500.
y, he affair created intense excitement in
virginia and the position :of Miss Trtplet5
was extremely uncomfortable.
some time after the duel she married
mr.. Philip Haxall and lived happily with
THE RIVER AND HARBOR.