The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
DUELIST ROBIN.
Forced Into the First One, He Fought
on Every Occasion Afterward.

Washington Star.
Catchings, of Mississippi. was telling the
other day OF some OF the early dueling in
Mississippi. Now, man loses his citizen
ship for dueling in that State, but there
was time when Ii was regarded as quite
the natural and proper thing to settle diff
culties that way
Catchings told story Of the experience
OF young man who went to Vicksburg
from somewhere East New England or
Pennsylvania, some time before the war.
His name was Robin. He was a matter
of-fact business man, young and of quiet.
gentlemanly manners, not used to South
ern ways, but disposed to let people alone.
He came there TO be cashier of one of the
principal banks, position which carried
spirit OF the times it was determined by
the men of the circle with which he might
DC expected to associate to make a test
OF his metal. They began by one of their
number picking quarrel with him.
He avoided the quarrel and did not see its
purpose. One after another tried to get him
embroiled, without success. Then they be-
gan TO put indignities upon him and TO in
suit him. His only mode of resentment was
to say that they were blackguards. and
that he would have nothing to do with
them. In short time they had him ostra-
cised. He thought he was ostracising them.
He seemed to be entirely unconscious OF
any loss OF dignity or standing in the COM
munity. and to look upon his isolation as
simply his own voluntary retirement from
what he considered bad company. Mean
while he had become an object Of contempt
among the cavaliers, and finally II began
TO reflect upon the bank of which he was
cashier. One day. after some particularly
with his accustomed silent contempt, the
president of the bank took him aside and
explained the situation. adding that he
must regain public respect he would
have to sever his connection with the bank
Robin asked what was expected of him,
and II was explained that he would have TO
challenge one Of the offenders and fight a
duel.
'Oh," he said. ct can do that If it is
necessary" He sent mmediately a chal-
lenge to the man who had last put an in
dignity upon him. This man was one who
had fought before. and was regarded as a
most accomplished duelist. He promptly
pistols and both were dangerously
wounded. AS soon as Robin got well he
took up his tormentors in order. challeng-
ing them Systematically and deliberately.
He fought eight or ten duels, killing some
and wounding others of his antagonists.
The ostracism was declared off. and he
came wealthy and prominent. but had the
reputation of the most dangerous duelist
in the State.
He simply devoted himself to the code.
Right and left for little provocation or for
none, he challenged men and fought them.
1t became his chief pleasure in life. He
built a massive stone castle on the heights
overlooking Vicksburg. which cost an i'm
mense amount of money, and was known
as Robbins folly. In this he had long
room fitted up as a library and armory.
Here he had all sorts of weapons which
might be used in dueling. Hung about the
walls were broadswords. .foils. pistols. etc.
labeled with the particular duel they had
been used in.
The spiritless. Yankee had become a ter
ror. No one dared to offend him. He was
just looking around for some one to fight:
His extravagances finally brought financial
reverses upon him. Suit was going to be
brought against him in the courts for a
large sum of money owed by him to some
parties outside the State. When he was
notified of lit, he wrote a note to each of the
members of the Vicksburg bar. notifying
him that any lawyer who took the case
would have to fight a duel. But one lawyer
could be found willing TO take the case He
was promptly challenged by Robin. They
fought. and both were so seriously wounded
that they were confined to their beds for
several months.
Then it was discovered that Robin was
insane. When forced into the first duel
the sight of his fallen antagonist had un-
balanced his mind and made a monomaniac
of him. Sane on all other subjects he had
become entirely irresponsible on this, and
his career had been simply that of duel
ing maniac. He ended his days in ar
asylum.