The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-04-15


among their friends, which was increased
when 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
following poem. A loving swain, who,
doubtless, has been kicked by his sweet
heart:
When Mary's queenly form press,
In Strauss'es latest waltz,
| would as we'll her lips caress,
Although those lips are false.
For still with fire love tips bis darts,
And kindleup anew,
| The flames which once consumed my heart
When those dear lips were true.
OF form so fair, of faith so faint,
If truth were only in her,
TIL ough she'd then be the sweetest saint,
I'd still feel like sinner.
MoRDEcAI's DENUNciArIoN.
In discussing this eflusion at tho. Rich
mond Club, the suggestion was made that
McCarty was the author and that he re-
ferred to Miss Triplett Morde cal said
that if this was the case, the author was
ga poltrool., coward and scoundrel.'
1t was not for several days that this re-
mark reached McCarty's ears and then it
was coupled with reflection on his courage
in not having taken it up sooner.
He at once sent note to Mordecai, an
nouncng that he was the author Of the
poem, that there was no intention in it to
reflect on Miss Iriplett, and demanded
rctraction of-the offensive remark.
The retraction was not forth coming
and arrangements were made fol- duel.
The police got wind of the affair, b owever,
the principals were arrested and finally a
court of honor drew up "cartel O. truce, y
which both men signed, agrcein g to let
the matter rest and providing tina t, under
no circumstances, should eth er man
speak to or in any way recognize the 9TH
er.
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, be said there had
been good deal OF gossip about the affair,
that his courage had been questioned,
and that in future he should hold to a
strict accountability anybody who trifed
| Win his SOOu Haulc.
LAM GENTLEMAN.
Willie he was talking iIordecai came
into the room. He overheard part Of
McCarty's remarks, and, walking up to
him, asked:
care those remarks meant for me, sir?''
"And who are you, sr2" asked Nc
Carly, sneeringly.
II no
swer, in voice trembling with passion.
"Ah" returned mccarthy, contcmptu-
ously.
The insulting tone was too much for
Mordecai, and he hoored NIcCarty with a
heavy blow in the face. He was much
heavier man than his op ponent, and in
the fight which followed McCarty got
much the worst GIFT, and was so badly done
I'D that he was confined to his bed for
several days.
Both men came OF fighting stock, were
in the highest class of Virginia society,
and after such an affair duel was abso-
lutely necessary in 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 | will"
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 E. Meredith was associated with him
; and VIM. 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
panied by Drs. Hunter Mcclure, who had
been Stonewal Jackson's medical d.
] rector, and j S. D. Cullen, who had filed
the same position on Longstreet's staff,
: appeared on the duelling ground.
!, At the first shot both missed, and Col.
t Tabb asked McCarty if he was satisfied.
. WANTED ANOTHER SHOT.
: MOL want another shot," came the
J quick response.
At the second fire both men fell, Nc
! Carly with bell in the hip and Mordecai
with bullet through the stomach.
Before the smoke had cleared away
Chief Of Police Roe came up on gallop.
: He was only III time to put the seconds
$ under arrest and assist in taking the
4 wounded men home.
While Mordecai lay on the ground he
Z said to his seconds: ''He can have another
Z shotif he wants it.
e The principals were taken toa their
homes and a lew days later Mordecai died
e from the effects of his wound. The Sec
Z l'onds were in jail for several weeks and
9 a guard was placed over McCarty until he
d recovered sufficiently to stand trial. He
: was found guilty of involuntary man
Y slaughter and fined $500.
8 The ffaircreated intense excitement in
Q Virginia and the position Of Miss Triplett
9 was extremely uncomfortable.
{, Some time after the duel she married
. IA iresi ha mi witt, h