Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-09
FAMOUS MISSISSIPPI DUELS.
Many Affairs OF Honor Down In the
Delta District.

The duel between Charles E. Wright,
editor of the Vicksburg Dispatch, an
afternoon political organ in that his
torlc city, started for the purpose OF
defeating Tha0lac C. Catchings, mem
Der OF Coneesss and Colonel Charles
Scott, ex-chairman of the Democratic
central committee and former presi-
dent of the defunct Rosedale bank,
which took place recently, is
the first affair OF honor under the
Quintero code that has taken place in
this countrymen between gentlemen
since the famous ParkerBurke duel at
New Orleans. more than decade ago.
Wright was slightly wounded and
Scott had his honor satisfied Why
Scott should even taken umbrage al
anything Wright might have said with
reference to his banking affairs at
Rosedale is more than his friends can
understand. Scott is known as the
gray eagle" of the delta. He is a
forceful character in society. In poll
tics, together with the lamented Percy,
he has Kept the delta in Democratic
line ever since the war. The white
people own the Plantations, and the
blacks pick the cotton. In former
times they also tried to pick the
political offices. That was before the
constitutional convention of 1891. 1t
was Scott and Percy who kept the
blacks in line without having to resort
to the shotgun. Scott was never a can
didate for political preferment. His
interest In the success of the Democrats
was because an adverse victory meant
blood. Scott is peaceful man. That
Is, on ordinary occasions On eXtraor-
binary occasions he is as lion. Fear
never possessed his heart. He comes
Of fighting family. He is, moreover,
an aristocrat His kin have dictated
the social Jules of the exclusive delta
society for more than third of a CEN
fury. Scott was a rich man ten years
ago. He would be a rich man to-day
We're 1t not for tho fact that he has
been good to unfortunate friends. In
sl'ng parlance, one would say now that
l. is broke. But he is a comparatively
--oung man and the delta is a<new
country.
The duel with Wright involves n po-
litical story Of national interest because
it involves Thomas c. Catchings, a
prominent figure in current political
history. Catchings and Wright had a
fist fight on the streets of Vicksburg
less than a month ago. Catchings is a
powerful man physically and Wright
is tiaccid of muscle. Wright was sent
home in cab and the doctors sum
mOned.
Wright and Catchings and the Scots
used TO train together in the Lowry
days of Mississippi. Wright was then
editor of the Vicksburg Commercial.
When his interest in that sheet was
bought by McNealy he then switched
about and selected Pat Henry, a de-
scendant of the illustrious Virginian,
TO lead delta politics. And, curious to
say, Henry had been a second Of two
dueling affairs in which Wright had
been formerly eng ged on the other
side.
Wright first came into sensational
public notice through a challenge sent
him by Roderick Dhu Gambrell in 1888
Gambrell was then editor of the Sword
and Shield, the official organ OF the
prohibitionists of the State, Wright was
an anti. There was no duel,
but Gambrell posted Wright in
Vicksburg as coward. He
was not, however, coward,
either then or now. Gambrell was a
mere youth. Wright was an old man.
Gambrell has since been killed, hav-
ing met his death at the hands of Jones
S. HaLiilton, now adjutant general of
the State. Hamilton was then chair
man of the State executive committee
of the Democratic party, chair
man of the State execu-
tive committee of the anti
prohibitionists, president of the Gulf
and Ship Island railroad, Safe Senator
from Kinds county, the Warwick of
delta politics, and the owner of the
most magnificent home in the entire
South Hamilton lay in Jail for year,
was defended by the present governor
of Mississippi, A. J. McLaurin, ac-
quilted. but returned home robbed OF
all political and social honors.
The most ridiculous of all challenges
sent by or received by Mr.. Wright was
one he had delivered to an Italian
count. The count being the challeng-
ed party, of course had the right to
choose weaplns, pace and time for the
,ombat. He selected o'clock the
same afternoon the challenge was re-
eeived. Mr.. Wright was stunned. He
sent word that i. would greatly incon-
venience him tc fight at such an hour.
Could he not postpone the affair until
the following day?
The count sent back word, wanting
to know why he wished the affair to
be put off. Wright replied that he had
note falling due the next day, for
which he h1f made no provision to
meet 1t would be cruel to menace his
life on account OF his family's sake
unless he had squared up all financial
matters.
The answer came: what is the ex-
tent Of your indebtedness"
1t was $1,000.
Twenty minutes later Mr.. Wright got
a certified check for that sum. There
was no longer any excuse for delay
Still there was 10 fight. There were
too many officers Of the law on the
alert.
There have been no duels in the
South for years, for the reason that
public sentiment has opposed them.
The affair between Parker and Burke
created a great scandal and reused the
moral sensibilities Of the people. The
religious institutions attacked all such
tom themselves 70 the daily use OF