Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-04-09
He Had a Mania For DueIing.

sippi, was telling the other day OF
some of the early duelingin Misslssip-
pi. He told the story of the expert
ence of young man who went to
Ticksburg from somewhere eaSt-New
England or Pennsylvania-some time
before the war. His name was Rob
bin. He was matter-of-tact business
man, young and of quiet, gentleman
" manners, not used TO southern
ways, but disposed to let people alone.
He came there to be cashier Of one Of
the banks, position which carried
with it good social standing
In the spirit of the time it was de-
termined by the men Of the circle
with which he might be expected to
associate to make a test of his mettle.
They began by one of their number
picking quarrel with him. He
avoided the quarrel and did not see
its purpose. One after another tned
to get him embroiled, without sue
cess. Then they began to put ndlG-
mites upon him and to insult 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 ostucised. lie thought he was
ostracising them He seemed 10 be
entirely unconscious Of any loss Of
dignity OF standing in the community
and 70 look upon his isolation as SIM
ply his own voluntary retirement
from what he considered bad compa-
nv. Meanwhile he had become an
object of contempt among the cava-
lers. and finally it began to reflect
upon the bank. One day, after some
particularly gross insult had been
passed over by him with his accus-
toned silent contempt, the president
of the bank took him aside and eX-
plained the situation, adding that he
must regain public respect OF he
would have to sever his connection
with the bank. Robin asked what
was expected of him, and it was ex-
planned that he would have to chal-
lenge one oc the offenders to fight u
duel.
oh" he said, Il can do that If
necessary.
He sent Immediately a challenge
to the man who had put an indignlty
upon him. This man was one who
had fought before, and was regarded
as an most accomplished duelst. He
accepted the challenge promptly they
fought with pistols, and both were
dangerously wounded. As soon as
Robin got well be took up hls tor
mentors in order, challenging them
Systematically and deliberately. He
fought eight or ten duels, killing some
and wounding others Of his antag-
onists.
The ostracism was declared of and
he was made lion of He prospered,
became wealthy aud prominent, but
had the reputation of being 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
foupbt them. 1t became his chief de-
light and pleasure He built mas
sive stone castle on the heights over
looking Vicksburg, which cost him an
immense amount Of money, and was
Lrown as Robbin's Falls In this he
bad a long room fitted up as a library
and armory. Here he bad all sorts
of weapons which might be used in
dueling. Hung about the walls were
broadswords, foils, pistols, etc, la
beled with the particular duel they
had been used in. The spintlesa
Yankee had become terror. No one
dared to offend him. He was just
looking around all the time for some
one to fight
His extravagance finally brought
financial reverses upon him. A suit
was going to be brought against him
in the courts for large sum Of mon
ey owed by him to some parties out
side the State. When be was notI-
fek oft he wrote note to each one
Of the Vicksburg bar notifying him
that any lawyer who took the case
would have to fight duel. But one
lawyer could be found willing to take
the case. He was promptly chal-
lenged by Robin. They fought, and
both were 50 seriously wounded that
they were confined to their beds for
many months. Then It was discoy-
cred that Robin was insane. When
forced into the first duel the sight Of
his fallen antagonist had unbalanced his
mind and made a uaouOmanlac Of him.