Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-31
DEATH OF A FAMOUS DUELST
Page McCarty Killed Friend
Over q Woman'S Smile.
WAS REMORSEFUL TO THE LAST
His story Was One Unexcelled
In Fiction.
He ouarreIed for Bcauty-Loro, Chai-
leBged John Mordecai, Killed Him, ana
Thereafter Could Not Forget His Crime
Died at Richmond Friday. ,t

Richmond, Va. May 25. The race
of Virginia duelists became extinct to
day, by the death Of Capt. Page. Mo
Cartyt who, q years ago, killed his
fast friend, John Mordecai, III d duel
over the favor OF a woman. t'{} {,3s
The story Is one unexcelled in fiction,
and its circumstances are wildly re-
membered In every Virginia household
Some 80 years ago Page MCCARTHY then
young man, full of ambition aud
hope, went to The. University off,Vir-
ginia to study law. His fast friend
aud OBSTINATE was John Mordecai.i The
two completed the law course at the,
| university and returned to Richmond.
The reigping belle and beauty OF the
day in Richmond was Mary 1riplett,
one Of the most charming and queenly
women ever born in Virginia.
Miugling In the best society MOI deoai
and McCarty cunstanly met Miss Trip
let, and soon were rivals for her favor,
outstripping, it is said, oil the rest.
After several months the event
occurred which was the beginning Of
tho tragedy that ended one life and
wrecked another. A great ball was
given at Richmond, and the queen of
the ball was Miss Mary Triplstt.
Among the most devoted cavaliers who
We'd for her favor were MoCarty and
| Mordecai. st1t Rl
The latter was the fayosed sutton
that night, and the patience OF the
high-spirited MoCarty Was severely
tried. Finally the beauty sighted him
in such a marked manner that he left
the ball thoroughly enraged. ~
| a few days later a local paper PUB
lished an anonymous verse Of poetry,
which read: IT.
When Mary's form divine press
| In Strauss sweetest waltz.
| Those lips I. too, would fein caress,
/ Although those lips be false. 4.
The piece met the eye Of Mordecai.
The event at the ball flashed through
his mind, and In fury he swore that
the author, whom be believed TO be
| MoCarty, should answer to him for the
insult to Miss Triplett.
The men met in the Richmond Club,
and soon dispute arose over trivial
matter. Mordecai struck McCarty In
the face. knocking him down.
The blow was not returned, for Nc.
Carly, calm and COOL, declared that
blood should avenge the insult. All
present understood what must follow,
and the friends of the tive rallied
around them. challenge was sent by
McCarty and promptly accepted. 81
On beautiful afternoon In May,
1878. two ariiages left the city by Diff
ferent routes, bound for the place
chosen. ast tA
Mordecai was accompanied BY Will
liam Tabb and John 8. Meredith az
seconds, while the surgeon was Dr.
Hunter MCGUIRE, famous las the
physician, who attended Stonewail
jackson IN bis dying hours
MoCarty's seconds were William r.
Trigg, head of thew. r. Trige Ship
building Co. Of this, city and William
L. Royal, leading lawyer here,
i The sun was just sinking below the
horizon as the men we're placed In
position. At the word both fired, and
when the smoke lifted ench lay on the
ground, apparently lifeless. yTlJ
| MoCarty's right thigh had been shat
had pierced Mordecai's abdomen.
The dual took place on Wednesday,
and Oh Friday Mordecai died. Nc
Carty was confined 10 his bed, des-
perately Ill. The seconds were arrested
and lodged in Jail where they re-
manned for six weeks. tE
MoCarty was sentenced to pay o fine
Of $500, as we'll as serve u sentopce Of
six months in Jail. t
He paid the fine, but was pardoned a
few days later by Gov. Kemper on the
statement of physicians that he would
die il confined. SA1
Since that day to the time OF his
death MoCarty was miserable man.
He avoided women and was inclined to
shun oil mankind. He re. entered the
newspaper field, doing work for Wash
ington and Alexandria and Richmond
papers. Ht q
| OF late years McCarty had done no
regular work, but walked the streets Of
Richmond an ill-clad, broken, misora-
BILE man.
Miss Mary Triplett, whose fatal
beauty caused the tragedy, married
Capt. Phillip Hexall short time after
tho duel. She died suddenly of heart
disease few years ago. To the last
she was leader Of society.
| 0EGEACEr ri ERGYMEN Fill flCI7Er