Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1896-04-24

Strange Infatuation of Young Man who
Lived In Mississippi.

Lived In Mississippi.
Catchings, of Mississippi, was tell
inc the other day of some of the early
dIeIing in Mississippi. He told story
of the experience of a 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-faet
business man, young. and of quiet, gen
tlemanly manners, not used to southern
ways, but disposed to let people alone.
lie came there TO be cashier of one of
the principal banks, a position which
Carried with it a good social standing.
IN spite of the times it was deter
mined by the men of the circle with
which he might be expected to associate
to make test of his mettle. They be-
gan by one of their number picking Il
quarrel with him. He avoided the
quarrel, and did not see its purpose.
One after another tried to get him em-
Lrolled without success,
Then they began to put indignities
upon him and to insult him. His only
mode of resentment was to say that
hey were blackguards and that he
would have nothing to do with them.
In a short time they had him ostrl-
cised. He thought he was ostracising
them.
He seemed to be entirely unconscious
of any loss Of dignity or standing in
the community and TO look upon his
isolation as simply his own voluntary
retirement from what he considered
bad company. Meanwhile he had be-
come an object Of contempt among the
cavaliers, and finally it began to re-
feet upon the bank.
One day, after some particularly
gross insult had been passed over by
him with the accustomed silent con-
tempt, the president of the bank took
him aside and explained he situation,
adding that he must regain public re-
spect or he would have to sever his con-
pcction with the bank. Robin asked
what was expected of him, and it was
explained that be would have to chal-
lcnge one of the offenders to fight a
duel.
"Oh!" he said, 81 can do that if
necessary"
He sent Immediately u challenge to
the man who had last put an indignity
upon him. This man was one who had
fought before, and was regarded as n
most accomplished duelist. He prompt
~ accepted the challenges; they fought
with pistols, and both were danger
ously wounded.
As soon as Robin got well he took
up his tormentors in order, challeng-
ing them Systematically and deliberate
ly. He fought eight or ten duels, kill
ing some and wounding others of his
The Ostracism was declared off and he
was made a lion of. He prospered;
became wealthy and prominent, but
had a reputation as the most dangerous
duelist in the state. He simply devoted
to the code. Right and left,
for little prOvocation or for none, he |
men and fought them. 1t
became his chief pleasure in life.
He built a massive stone castle on |
the heights overlooking Vicl1sburg
which cost an immense amount OF /
money, and was known as Robbins
falls. In this he had a long room fit
ed up as a library and armory. Here
ne had all sorts of weapons which
night be used in dueling. Hung about
The walls were broadswords, foils, pis-
ois, etc, labeled with the particular
luel they had been used in. The spir-
tess Yankee had become a terror
No one dared to offend him. He was
ust looking around for some one to
light.
His extravaganza finally brought
financial reverses upon him. Suit was
.oing to be brought against him in
he courts for a large sum of money
wed by him to some parties outside
i the state. When he was notified of
he wrote a note to each one of the
nembers of the Vicksburg bar, noti-
wing them that any lawyer who took
he case would have to fight duel.
But one lawyer could be found will
lg to take the case. He was promptly
hallenged by Robin. They fought,
nd both were so seriously wounded
hat they were confined to their beds
)r months,
Then it was discovered that Robin
as insane. When forced into the first
uel the sight of his fallen antagonist I
nd unbalanced his mind and made a
ionomaniae of him. Sane on all other n
lbjects, he had become entirely ire I
lonsible on this, and his course had y
zen simply that of a dueling maniac. a
e ended his days in an asylum.-Phila- !,
elphia Telegraph. Il
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