The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-31
CAPT. PAGE xccARTY,
Who Died at the Retreat for .he Sick in
Richmond.

men in Virginia and was an able and
fearless Democratic writer.
Capt MoOarty was born In Fairfax
county, about sixty years ago. He was
a son Of Colonel William McOnty, a
prominent man In his day. An uncle
Of Captain McJarty. Mr.. John Mo-
Oarty, fought the celebrated duel with
Hon Armistead Mason, In Loudoun
county, many years before the war
| Oapt. MoOarty was great grandson OK
the celebrated George Mason, author Of
the Virginia Bill Of Rights.
Young Page MoOarty grew mp on his
fathers estate. his life similar 60 that
Of other Virginia country boys OF
wealthy paientage in the days before
the war. There was school and read
ing. and very much riding, and racing.
ard shooting, and fishing The free
and active life OF his boyhood marked
his character TO the end OF his life He
was always quick, energetic, generous,
and fearless
IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY.
After completing his preparatory
course In the schools Of Richmond
| Capt. MoOarty entered the University
| OF Virginia, where he was when the
| war between the States broke out. He
at once entered the Confederate army,
and served as adjutant Of an artillery
battalion. Captain McOerty was a
soldier OF undaunted courage and great
dash.
After the war Capt McOariy went
back 10 Richmond TO reside, and soon
became great social favOrite. He was
one OF the leading spirits In the most
brilliant circle, and enjoyed wide pop
ularity. His wit, splendid address and
| brilliant attachments made him an
ideal companion.
The law, for which he was educated,
became only one Of bis accomplish
ments. and he took up literature as
diversion. He was a musician OF rare
ability.
THE MORDECAI DUEL.
While at the University Of Virginia
his fast friend and desk mate was John
Mordeoai. Each came Of q family
prominent in Virginia's social aud
business world. and each. by reason OF
many talents, played a leading part
wherever he was placed. The two
completed the law course at the univer-
sity, Mordecai graduating with dis
tinction, McOarty whose bent was to-
wards journalism, taking a course In
accordance with his predictions.
The friends returned to Richmond to
begin their life work. and MGR.
decai formed a partnership with Dol
John b Young, the celebrated crimi-
nal lawyer Of that day. MoOarty tr n
ed his attention TO newspaper anc
magazine work.
The reigning beauty Of the day In
Riobmond was Mary Triplett. one OF
the most charming Of Virginia. daugh-
ters Hundreds worshiped at her shrine,
and she was known az the belle Of
the South " Mingliug In the best OF
society. Mordecai and MoOarty con-
stantly met Miss Triplett. and soon
were rivals for her favor, outstripping,
IL is said. all the rest. The two, once
such fass friends, became estranged,
although not exactly hostile to each
other.
Matters went on until great ball
was given, at which the exclusive por-
tions Of Richmond's social world was
present Miss Triplett was, as always.
the centre Of attraction. and among
her devoted cavaliers were Mordecai
and McOarty. The former was the
favored sutton that night, and the pa.
thence Of the high-spirited McOerty
was severely tried. Finally Miss Trip
lett sighted him In such a marked
manner that he left the ball thorough
ly enraged
A few days later local paper pub
lished an anonymous verse OF poetry,
which read
When Mary's form divine l press
In Strauss's sweetest waltz.
Those lips /, too, would fain caress,
Although those lips be false.
The piece met the eye OF Mordecai.
The event at the ball flashed through
his mind and in a fury he swore that
the author, whom he believed to be Nc
Oarty. should answer to him for the in
suit 10 Miss Triplett The advice OF
friends, however, dissuaded him from
his pu?p use, and IL was arranged by the
friends OF both that in order TO avert a
duel thst McOarty and Mordeoai we're
10 be strangers TO each other ever after
The matter, however, weighed upon |
the minds of both, and when some time |
later Mordeoai met McOarty in the cafe |
of the Richmond Club he was In mood |
for quarrel. The men had been drink.
ing and soon a dispute arose. Mordecai |
struck McOarty In the face, knocking |
him down.
The blow was not returned, for when |
McOarty, calm and cool, declared that |
blood only could avenge the insult, all |
present understood what must follow.
A challenge was sent by McOarty and |
promptly accepted. IL was to be duel !
10 the death. The spot selected was |
near OAkWood Cemetery, where sleep |
the remains of twenty thousand Oonfed- |
crate soldiers
Ona beautiful afternoon In May, 1873, |
two carriages left the city by different |
routes bound for the place chosen.
Mordeoai was accompanied by William |
Tabb and John s. Meredith as seoonds,
while the the surgeon was DR.. Hunter |
MoGuire, famous az the physician who |
attended Stouewall Jackson IN his dying |
hours. McOarty's seconds were VIM. |
r Trlgg, now head of the W. K Trigg |
Shipbuilding Company, OF Richmond, |
and w. L. Royal, now leading law
yer there. The men were placed in po.
sition, both cool and calm. At the
word both fired Neither man was
struok. When the smoke lifted after |
the second shot, each lay on the ground
apparently lifeless.
A hurried examination by the sur
geon revealed wounds Of terrible ma
ture. McOArty's right thigh had been
shattered. while the bullet from his PTS.
tol had pierced Mordecai's abdomen.
The duel took place On Wednesday,
and on Friday Mordecai died, peritonitis
having set In, while MoOarty was con
fined 20 his bed desperately III. The
seconds we're arrested and lodged IN
iail. where they remained for six weeks.
At the end Of that time McOasty, hav-
ing partially recovered Yves placed |
on trial All concerned declined to
testify except DR.. MCGUIRE. McOarty
was convicted aud sentenced to pay q
fine of $500, a. we'll { sci 20 a sentence