The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-06-03
A VIRGINIA DUEL IN 1873.
Twice the Trouble Was Averted Be-
fore Gossip Forced II Out.

(FTom Some "reminiscences" by Will
liam l.. Royal OF Richmond)
One Incident of the year 1873 In
which | played leading part made
great noise at that time. Miss Mary
Trlplett, one OF the most beautiful
women ever created by the Almighty,
was at that time reigning belle in
Richmond. Page McCarty, an attrac-
tive, deyilmay-care sort Of fellow. fell
desperately in love with her and it
was generally understood that they
had become engaged to be married.
All at once Miss Mary broke off with
him and went to Europe. where sac
stayed possibly year. When she re-
turned she would not speak to Nc
Carty and would never afterward have
anything to do with him. We had q
German club that met once In two
weeks. The club was usually led by
reckless, bright, audacious fellow
named Sprigg Campbell. At one of
their meetings Campbell contrived a
figure that would throw McCarty and
Miss Triplett together for dance. 1t
was wanton act, intended Cor clever
ness. They met and commenced to
dance, but after turn or two Miss
Triplett disengaged herself and walked
to her scat. Every one knew that she
intended II as a slur on McCarty. 1t
threw nim into desperate rage.
Nj Amongst the young men of Rich
mond at that time was one named
John B. Mordecai. He was six feet
two. about thirty-three years Of age
and one Of the handsomest men |
have ever seen. He had served gal
1antly through the war as private
soldier In the Richmond Howltzers,
was fellow Of the most delightful
wit, and. take him all in all, l think
he was about the most charming com
panion have ever known. Handsome,
gallant chivalrous, affectionate and
witty, l nave never seen his like. He,
too. was desperately In love with Miss
Triplett.
The night of the german and after
1t was over McCarty went to the En-
quirer newspaper Office and offered
them the following verses, whica the
paper published next morning:
When Mary's queenly form l press
II Strauss latest waltz,
1 would as well her lips caress
Although those lips be false
For still with fire love tips his dart,
And kiDdles up anew
the flames that once consumed my
heart
When those dear lips were true
OF form so fair. of faith so faint.
IL truth were only in her;
Though she'd be then the sweetest
saint,
I'd still feel like a sinner.
! was bacaelor then and took my
meals usually*at Gerot's restaurant.
The next morning after the german
L was In Gerot's getting my breakfast
and had just read those verses In the
Enquirer when John Mordecai came
In. He took up the paper and his
eyes fell on the verses. He under
stood the whole situation at once and
] saw his face gel as black as mid
night. Laying down the paper be
said, perceiving that understood the
case: Il shall kill that fellow"
l demonstrated with him. telling
him 1t was matter that he had no
right to interfere with; that Miss
Triplett had grown brother who
would do wantever was proper to be
done In such case, and that he did
not know whether she or her family
wanted anything done. He would not
be quieted, however. but went off to
our mutual and very dear friend. VIII
lie Trigg. to consult with him. Trigg
told him exactly what had told him,
and between US we got him to prom
1se to let McCarty alone.
That night l met him at the Rich
mond club and being seated together
on sofa he proceeded TO denounce
McCarty in the most unmeasured
terms A relative of McCarty over
heard him and reported the denuncla-
tion to McCarty. At tnat time duel
ling was dying in Virginia, but ii
was very far from dead McCarty
sent friend to Mordecai, demanding
retraction and apology, which Nor
uecai refused to make / knew that
MoCarty said he had, not written the
verses about Mary Triplett, but an.