Columbia Springs

Beginnings

Mineral spring retreats and spas were fashionable in the early 19th century and natural springs were abundant in Marion County, Mississippi due to the Pearl River. Just north of Columbia, Mississippi, Charles Stovall constructed "Columbia Springs" near the eastern banks of Pearl River and the mouth of Buckhorn Creek. The large wood frame hotel building was three stories high with suites on each floor and verandas overlooking the Pearl River. The interiors were lavishly furnished and finished in fine hardwoods such as mahogany, oak and walnut.

Columbia Springs was advertised as having medicinal properties and promoted good health which attracted seasonal visitors, many of them the most influential in southern antebellum society. Visitors enjoyed more than bathing, they also hunted, fished, played billiards and raced horses.

While documentation is scarce, sources suggest that several soldiers of Andrew Jackson's army were sent to the springs to recuperate after the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. In 1826, shortly before Columbia Springs fell into decline, Stovall ran the following advertisement in a Natchez newspaper:

"COLUMBIA SPRINGS – The public is again respectfully invited to turn its attention to these celebrated Springs, the waters of which have been found, by experience, to be efficacious in the preservation of health, and also a powerful auxiliary for the restoration of that invaluable blessing, to convalescents from acute diseases. The virtue of these waters, the salubrity of the atmosphere, and the very extensive and improved style of the accommodations since last year, will, it is confidently believed, ensure to the visitants a more desirable retreat than is to be found in this section of the United States. The mineral qualities of these waters have been tested by scientific gentlemen, and although the exact proportion of the ingredients was not accurately established, enough was ascertained to prove them highly medicinal. The predominant quality of the water is diuretic; the tonic and aperients qualities are considerable; in short, these waters promote the different secretions, by imparting tone and vigor to the system.

The Columbia Springs are situated near the bank of Pearl River, about two miles from the town of Columbia, and sixty-five miles from Covington, surrounded by a country remarkable for its health and the salubrity of its atmosphere. Large and commodious buildings, both for individuals and families, in addition to those of last year, are in a state of forwardness. Warm and cold baths, shower baths, &c are in readiness: Preparations are also making for the different species of fashionable amusements, practiced at such places; while a place of retirement is reserved for persons of serious and contemplative habits. The river and creeks, in the immediate vicinity, abound with fish of various descriptions, and the forests with game. The surrounding country is level and agreeable, and the roads are generally good. Accommodations may always be had in the town of Columbia, which is sufficiently near, to render a morning and evening ride to it, both pleasant and beneficial. No expense or trouble will be spared, to procure every convenience and accommodation, the country will afford, to render a visit to these springs, either amusing or beneficial. For the satisfaction of the community at large, and for the better information of strangers, it may be necessary to refer to gentlemen who have visited these waters, and know their qualities; and who can give information respecting accommodations, and other particulars;-Among these, I shall only name the following gentlemen – Gen. Ripley, A. Hennen Esq., Rev. Dr. Clapp, J. B. Curtis, Esq., Messrs, Hyde and Merritt, Mr. Aldridge, Mr. Jolly of New Orleans; Elijah Clark, Esq. of Point Coupee; Judge Jones, and Mr. Bayley of Covington; Dr. Cooper, and Col. Hamilton of St. Francisville; David Wood Esq., C. B. Green Esq., T. B. Reed Esq., Col. Joseph Sessions, Mr. Conner, Mr. Tichenor, Gov. Holmes, Judge Ellis, Capt. James K. Cook, Judge Stockton of Natchez; Gen. Joor, Harry Cage Esq., Judge Hampton, Gov. Poindexter, Col. Hadley, Mr. Haile of Wilkinson County; Cowles Meade Esq., Mr. Ross, Mr. Turnbull of Jefferson County; Mr. Vertner, Dr. David Dickson, Chancellor Clark, Judge Child, Mr. Woolley, Mr. Vandorn, Mr. Denny, and Mr. Lake of Port Gibson; Dr. T. Anderson, Mr. Hyland, Mr. Evans of Warren County; H. G. Runnels Esq., J. A. Grimball Esq. Jackson: these gentlemen, by giving as extensive publicity to this notice as may be convenient, together with such information, relative to the subject, as they may possess, will confer a particular favor on Their humble servant, CHARLES STOVALL

Temporary capital of Mississippi

Charles Stovall served as a state representative in 1822 and through this term of office forged relationships with the powerful and influential in the region, beneficial to his resort business.

When the Mississippi legislature met in Natchez for its fourth session in February, 1821, the site of the permanent capital of Mississippi had yet to be established. As a compromise between the delegates it was voted to temporarily move the capital to Columbia, Mississippi until a permanent site could later be agreed upon. The move was passed on January 1, 1821 and recorded in Section 1 of the Mississippi Journal of the House of Representatives:

"Section I. Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi in General Assembly convened, that after the adjournment of the present session of the General Assembly of this State, each ensuing session of the Legislature of this state shall be held at the town of Columbia, until otherwise altered by law."

Charles Stovall offered an entire wing of his hotel to the legislature for their use, which was accepted. The next regular session of the Mississippi Legislature was held in Columbia in November, 1821, and during this session Mississippi Governor George Poindexter's term expired. Subsequently, Governor Walter Leake was sworn in at Columbia Springs as Mississippi's third governor. Governor Poindexter's legal code, commonly known as "Poindexter's Code," was passed during the session, much of it written and finalized while at Columbia Springs.

The issue of the permanent site for the state capital was again discussed, and it was decided to appoint Thomas Hinds, William Lattimore and James Patton to select a permanent seat for Mississippi government, eventually settling on what is today Jackson, Mississippi. The close of the fifth legislative session on January 7, 1822 marked the end of Columbia Springs as the temporary capital of Mississippi.

Dueling incidents

During the summer of 1826, Mississippi Attorney General Richard Stockton, son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was vacationing at Columbia Springs. Among others visiting that summer were the Payson family, merchants from New Orleans. One night at a formal dinner, Stockton and Payson had a disagreement with one another. As tempers flared, both men drew pistols on one another until a bystander defused the situation. Emotions festered for several days until a challenge was made for the men to settle their differences by fighting code duello.

Ross and Gibbs

Almost simultaneously, another argument ensued between two other men at the hotel, one named Ross and the other Gibbs. These two men, one a planter and the other a Jefferson County attorney, fought a duel in 1826 near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, on the west bank of the river. Both parties selected muskets for their weapons, and at first fire, both men fell mortally wounded. One man died after only a few hours while the other lingered for months. Richard Stockton was present when the Ross/Gibbs duel was fought in the capacity of a surgeon.

Stockton and Payson

Richard Stockton and Payson met in New Orleans in early 1827 to fight their duel. Using pistols, at first fire Stockton was struck in the head by Payson's ball, and Payson left the dueling field without injury. Stockton had left a note in his pocket which stated that he felt his "own conduct had been rash and wrong from the beginning" and it was his intention upon surviving the first fire to acknowledge his error and make amends with Payson. A New Orleans newspaper published on February 4, 1827 mentions the duel between Stockton and Payson and reported of the death of Stockton. It also refers to Payson as a "Bostonian." By 1830, Payson had accidentally drowned in the Mississippi River.

In his 1876 History of Hancock County, Mississippi, congressman John Frances Hamtramck Claiborne made reference to the Stockton and Payson duel and stated that Stockton had been shot in the heart;

"Richard Stockton resided in Natchez, was from New Jersey, son of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, graduated at the head of his class at Princeton, began a brilliant career in Mississippi, was attorney general I believe, quarreled with a New Orleans gentleman at Stovall's Springs, in Marion County, and in the duel that followed, was shot through the heart."

Decline

Although neither the Ross and Gibbs nor the Stockton and Payson duels were fought at Columbia Springs, these tragic events were rooted there and tarnished the reputation of Columbia Springs enough that it never recovered. At least one source states that the hotel closed immediately after the duels and never reopened. The ruins of the hotel and outbuildings may have still been standing by 1891 when a writer then commented; "scarcely a vestige of the hotel now remains." Eventually the main building as well as the service buildings were dismantled.

Poetry

The serenity of the springs proved inspirational to those who visited and vacationed there during its prime. At least one unknown poet was inspired to pen the following epic poem while at the springs, which was first published in the Louisiana Advertiser, October 7, 1826.

Written in the port folio of a Gentleman at the Columbia Springs, of Charles Stovall esq. on Pearl river, Mississippi, in 1826.