The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-07-14

the other day OF some OF the early duel
Ing In Mississippi. Now a man loses
bis citizenship for dueling In that
State, but there was q time when 1t
was regarded as quite the natural aud
proper thing to settle that
way.
Catchings told the story Of the ex-
perience OF q young man who went 10
Vicksburg from somewhere East, New
Epgland or Pennsylvania, some time
before the war. His name was Robin.
He was o matter OF fact business man,
young and OF quiet, ~gentlemanly man
ners, not, used TO Southern ways, but
disposed to let people alone. He came
there to be cashier OF one Of the prinei-
pal banks, o position which carried
with IL good social standing. In the
| spirit Of the times, IL was determined
by the men OF the circle with which he
might be expected to associate to make
q test OF his metal. They began by
one OF their number picking q quarrel
with him.
He avoided the quarrel and did not
SEQ its purpose. One after another
tried TO got him e%mbroiled, without
success. Then they began to put in
dignities upon him and TO insult him.
His only mode OF resentment was to
say that they were blackguards and
hat he would nave nothing to do with
them. In u short. time they had him
ostraciaed. He thought he was ostra-
ciZipg 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 become an object OF contempt
among the cavaliers, and finally it be-
gan to reflect upon the bank OF which
he was cashier. One day, after some
particularly gross Insult had oeen pass
ed over by him with his accustomed
silent contempt, the president OF the
bank took him aside and explained
the situation, adding that he must
regain public repect or he would have
to sever his connection with the bank.
Robin asked what was expected Of
him, and 1t was explained that he
would have to challenge n of the Of
tenders and fight q duel.
"Oh," he said, 81 can do that. IL 1t
is necessary" He sent Immediately q
challenge to the mar who had last put
an indignity upon him. This man was
one who had fought before, and was
regarded as a most accomplished
duelist. He promptly accepted the
challenge +; they fought with pistols
and both were dangerously wounded.
AS soon as Robin got well he took up
his tormentors in order, challenging
them systematically and deliberately.
He fought eight or ten duels, killing
some and wOunding others of his
antagonists. The ostracism was de-
clared off, and he was made q lion of.
He prospercd, became 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 provo
cation 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
V%icksburg, which cost an immense
amount OF money, and was known as
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 broad-swords, foils,
pistols, etc., labeled with the particular
duel they had been used in.
The spiritless Yankee had become 9
terror. No one dared to offend him,
He was just looking around for some
one to fight. His extravaganza finally
brought financial reverses upon him
Suit was going to be brought against
MIN In Inc courts lOr d cargo sum o.
money owed by him to some parties
outside the State. When he vas mott
fed Of it he wrote a note to each one
OF the members Of the Vicksburg bar,
notifying him that any lawyers who
took the case would have to fight 9
duel. But one lawyer could be found
willing to take the case. He was
promptly challenged by Robin. They
fought and both were 80 seriously
wounded that they we're confined tt
their bed for several months.
Then it was discovered that Robbir
was insane. When forced into the
first duel the sight Of his fallen antag
onist had unbalanced his mind anC
made u m~0nomanic Of him. Sane or
all other subjects, he had become en-
tircly irresponsible on this, and hi:
career had been simply that of a duel
ing maniac. He ended his days in al
asylum.