The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-04-09
ThrHemorraf-s Star
prELISG IN MISSISSIPPI.
col. POWER GROWS REMINISCENT IN
VERY INTERESTING WAY.

9Th. SAYS: Having had occasion to-day
10 make a certified copy Of an act
passed in 1858 in reference to the Mo-
bile and Ohio railroad, | found, a
few pages proceeding, an act granting
full and complete amnesty to GER
tain wcli-kn0wn citizens OF that period
for having INDUCED in the evil prac-
tice of ''ducling, but which was in
reality, considering Il kind Of fashion
able amusement in ante bellum times.
A few of these gentlemen are still Iiv-
ing. and il they ever recall such an in
cident in their experience, they OF
course charge it up to youthful indiS-
C@rction. Here are the names that by
the act were declared capable Of
holding, OIL being elected to, any post
Of honor or profit, or cmolument, civil,
or military, under the constitution
and laws Of this State etc: Henry
l.. Muldrow, OF O%ktibbcha county;
Thomas J. Walton, of Warren county;
Il. II. Purdorn, OF Kinds county;
Nathaniel II. Harrison, Of N0Xabcc
county, William Henry Wood, Of
NoXubee county, 5. 5. Calhoon, OF va
zoo county, NJ. NJ. Smith, of Rankin
county, William Barksdale and ThoS'
G. Blcwett, jr., Of Lowndcs county,
|. NJ. Partridge, W. d. Ray, Walker
Brooke and w. II. McCardle, Of War
rem county, +, L. Bowers, of Madison
county and j. j. Richardson, Of Chicka-
saw county.
Col. Muldrow has become famous as
a lawyer ard member of Congress X,
II. Purdorn published the Eagle Of
the South" in Jackson, just prior t.
the war; s. S, CalhoOn is still one OF
the great legal lights Of Mississippi
William B%arksdale was killed at
Gettysburg at the head Of his brigade
/. NJ. Partridge, w. ID. Ray and W. ii
McC1rdle, were Nicksburg journalists
Partridge is still quill-driying in Ken
lucky, Walker Brooke vas a brilIian'
attorney, and a United States senator
T.. L. Bowers was a lawyer of Canton
Marshall NJ. Smith was a citizen .
Brandon, and held an impOrtan'
foreign appointment under Buchan
ans administration. All these | knew
personally.
A very readable chapter might bC
written on ducling IN Mississippi
Duels were Of such frequent occur
renee that the constitution of lS3.
directed the legislature to pass law
''to prevent the evil practice" and a
far back As 1925 | find that whcl
Samuel G. Woodbridge qualified a
State Treasurer, he subscribed to TIN
following: II do solemnly affirm tina
! have not been engaged in Il duel b.
sending or accepting Il challenge t
fight a duel or by fighting a duel, o
in any other manner, in violation o
that act, nor will | be concerned, di
rectly or indirectly in such duel dur
ing my continuance in Office Bu
the ''evil practice" went IN all tn
same, aud il relief bills were passed
the penalties were seldom, if cvcr en-
forced.
The personal journalism" Of ant
bcllum times, and for some years afte
the war, resulted in many meetings o.
the "held Of honor" Even your peace
loving correspondent had a little e>
pcriCncc in that way thirty-onc ycal
ago, but he and his friend were quit
willing to assent to the arbitratio
that prevented an exchange Of shot
on the Louisiana shore. And it wa
all about nothing; and reminds Ill
very much Cf the little girls detinitio
Of scandal, "NobOdy does nothing
and everybody goes on telling it every
where"
Mr.. Fulkcrs0n, in his Random r,
collections Of Early Days in MiSsisSil
pi,' gives a graphic description Of
duel that took place in July, 1913, be
tween Capt. Harvey W, Allen and ID
Martscllcr, at COtfce'S Point, oppOslt
Rodney, and within II hour atte
their alteration on the street. The
commenced fighting at ten feet, an
fired until each fell badly wounded
Allen was a general in the confedcral
army and afterwards governor q
Louisiana.
Henry s.. FOote and Sergeant
Prcntiss fought two duelS. On on
Of these occasions, when PrcntiS.
pistol had snapped, and Mr.. Foote'
ball had passed over his head PrcDtis
saw, as he vas taking position 70
second shot, a little boy ascending
tree in his rear for the purpose Of Ol
tanning a better observation, an
turning to him he cautioned him 4
his danger, remarking that Ger
FOo.e vas shooting very wildly tha
day.
Col. MCClung was 4 noted duclist
Several men fell under his unerrini
aim One Of his duelS took place jus
across the river in Rankin county
lie said he would shoot his a%ntagOnis.
in the mouth, and he made good hi!
word.
William A. Leakc, one OF tn,
brightest and brainicst men that
Mississippi has produced, fell in I
duel with Hal. Chambers, in 1861
They were candidates for Congress il
the river district, and some heated
discussions resulted in a challenge.