New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-02
THE CODE.
DUEL BETWEEN JUDGE COOLEY
AND COLONEL RHETT.
JUDGE COOLEY KILLED

The REPUBLICAN was somewhat prema-
ture in its announcement yesterday morn.
ing that Messrs. Cooley and Rae tt had
left the city for Mississippi the night be-
fore. The arrangement had been. at that
time. perfected, however, and the two gen
tlemen with their friends left the city on
the eight o'clock train going east yesterday
morning. Judge Cooley was accompanied
by Colonel George W. Carter and Major e.
McRae Selph, and Colonel Rhett by DR.. j.
Dickson Bruins and Colonel Charles Ro-
man. DR.. Holiday aud Dr.. Chopin at
tended as surgeons.
At Montgomery, little station about
two miles this side of Bay St. Louis, the
party alighted at about half-past ten
o'clock. The ground at the south of the
railroad track, about $50 yards east of the
stati0nhouse. was selected for the duel.
The ground was quickly measured of, and
the principals placed in position at forty
PAGES. Judge Cooley, having choice of
weapons, had named double -barreled shot
guns, loaded with single ball
At the word both parties fired. Colonel
Rhett's shot ranging into the air, and Judge
Cooley's passing to the right of his anrago-
mist. Cooley delivered his fire first. At
the second fire both shots were stimuli
taneous. Judge Cooley fell forward, NOR
tally wounded. The shot had entered his
right side, passing between the seventh and
eighth ribs, and through the diaphragm,
aorta and right lung and out through the
LETT side, passing entirely through the body.
coming out little higher up than where it
went in. The wounded man uttered but
one remark: HE has shot me right through
the breast" In five minutes he had
breathed his last. The surgeons rendered
every aid in their power. but the case was
hopeless.
The body was placed upon door and
taken back to the depot to await the
incoming train. Colonel Rhett and some of
his friends obtained carriage and drove
into the village of Bay St. Louis. At ten
minutes past two o'clock the train reached
Montgomery station. The body having
been wrapped il. sheet and still laying
on the door. was put on board the train
and brought into the city. The same train
brought back Colonel Rhett and party.
The body was taken of the train at
Luzenburg Hospital. on Elysian Fields
street. where 1t was taken charge of by
Mr.. Bothick, the undertaken. Ii was first
taken to his former residence on Dumaine
street.
Here the body wa, laia On the floor in
the diningroom. stripped. and the wound
examined, and an inquest held by Coroner
Grayer, the jury returning verdict OF
murder. The body was then dressed and
carried to the residence Of Hon Thomas j.
Cooley, corner of st. Charles and Seventh
streets. and laid out in state. The coffin
was covered with bouquets of rare exotics.
The face of the dead Judge was turned
slightly to the right. It was as calm and
peaceful as if he were asleep. Many friends
gathered around and gazed on the tranquil
features which il life had been beacon
light in every social intercourse.
A few statements Of his Life may Lot be
inappropriate. though biographical sketch
would be out OF place. William Henry
Cooley was born in the parish of Pointe
Coupee December II. 1892 His family had
always resided there. He studied law with
his father, the Hon T. J. Cooley. and was
admitted to the bar in 1857 He had previ-
ously graduated at the Pennsylvania Uni
versity of Kentucky in the academic de-
partment. Governor Hahn appointed him
judge Of the parish of Pointe Coupee, and
mis- appointment Was confirmed by the
Senate. He afterwards became a member
of the constitutional convention Of 1868,
and many provisions Of our present consti-
tuition bear the impress Of his mind. After
this convention he became citizen of New
Orleans. and was elected Judge of the Sixth
District Court Of the parish of Orleans in
1863. His conduct while presiding over
independence OF thought and resolution.
No fears or censure from any source de-
tered him from entering Oh any course
that he deemed proper.
He married Miss Plautevignes, who
died about six years ago. leaving him one
son, His family consists Of his fathe r, two
brothers. and two sisters. To his sisters
his loss is 4 severe blow. Always an af"l
tectionate brother. OF late years their vel.
fare has been a devoted study. To th EN-
and his child his life was devoted. The af-
lection he had for them tempered his inter-
course with others.
No man can complain oe any wanton IN
Jury from lis hand 9: tcague. While in
the exercise Of his duties 70 the public or
to his clients he said and did many things
which cut 10 the quick, there was 10 malice
in the genial. open heart. which has gone
to its rest. He wore It on his sleeve. There
was no doubt of his opinions. No und er.
current Of duplicity marked dis course. he
was all OF nothing. He deserved to rank.
in his style Oi laga. practice. with Bra dy.
Stanton and Butter. His crashing ma nner
Of inyective when addressing Judge. Jury
OF audience was full Of power. But he is
gone.
No longer will his hard white hand. the
ngers widely distended asove his curly
head, enforce the clea- Gu: sentences tina:
came from his mouth
To-day. at fouc O'Clock. lis friends will
offer the last sad tokens Of their regard for
bis memory, at the residence of his father.