Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-04-14
THE DUELLO.
The Recent Meeting Near New Or.
Ieans-ShOt Guns at Forty PAGES
shot Through tue Brain.

The Recent Meeting Near New Or.
Ieans-shOt Guns at Forty PAGES
shot Through the Brain.
From the New Orleans Times
About two weeks ago there was in pro
gress Of trial before Judge Collum, of the
Fifth District Court, the case of Madam
Mr. Aristide Bienvenu, wherein plaintiff
claimed sum Of money for millinery
and dressmaking accounts contracted by
Mrs. Bienvenu. Mr.. A. B. Phillips was
PLAINTIFF counsel. At the trial were
present Mr.. and Mrs. Bienvene, and
upon its close the latter proceeded to
the clerks Office. whittier Mr.. Phillips
directly following, he was straightway
met by the lady, who began upbraiding
him for the course he had pursued in the
case, to which Mr.. Phillips made the re-
sponse that his assailant being woman
he could offer no resentment, but that
he would notify her husband that he
must restrain such exhibitions. Leaving
then the Office for the courtroom, to
place the matter before Mr.. Bien-
venu, he met that gentleman at the
threshold of the door, coming toward
him, and said: "Mr. Bienvenu, your wife
has grossly insulted me, and | desire
you to prevent any further repetition of
such conduct" To this Mr.. Bienvenu
replied: IF my wife has insulted you
she has done just right, and myself will
take occasion to insult you still more"
No sooner did ne utter these words than
Mr.. Phillips, provoked beyond endu-
rance, knocked Mr. Bienvenu down.
The result of the episode transpired
yesterday in q duel to the death.
Mr.. Bienvenu sought the assistance
of two friends, challenge was passed
and accepted, Saturday, April 4, named
as the date, shotguns and ball as the
weapons, forty PAGES as the distance
and Bay St. Louis as the place. The
parties with their friends assembled at
s o'clock am. yesterday at the depot
Of the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas
railroad, at the foot of Canal street. in
time to take the train which was des-
tined to hurry them to the arena Of
blood. Messrs. DuBertrand and Chas
D'Armas acted as seconds, and Dr.
Isaac Scott as surgeon, to accompany
Mr.. Phillips; Messrs. Leopold Lange
and Charles Reiffiel, as seconds, and DR..
Huard, as surgeon, accompanied Mr..
Bienvenu. The train started on time,
and the trip was made without any oc-
currence of moment, up to the time of
arrival at the depot at Nicholson ave-
nue. at Bay St. Louis, where the
party left the cais, When the party
arrived at the station the ground
was measured, pegs driven, and toss
for choice OF position and the word was
had, which was won by the second Of
Mr.. Phillips. This delay occupied about
half an hour. The principals appeared
to be uncxceptionably cool, calm and
collected. Neither evidenced the slight
est symptom of nervousness, or gave
any indication of personal apprehen-
sion, although there was no leyity o.
manner, but on the contrary, rather a
seriousness in keeping with the terrible
tragedy so near at hand. The weapons,
double barreled shot-guns, were duly
loaded with ball by the seconds, and the
principals were placed in position. Mr..
DuBertrand then briefly stated the terms
of the cartel, which stipulated that the
combatants should stand with their wea-
pons held in such a manner that the
muzzles should be pointed to the ground;
that the words should be: Gentlemen,
are you rsady2" that silence should be
interpreted into consent, when the words
FIRE, one, tive, three would be given
that they could raise their weapons and
fire after the word " fire and before the
word three" Mr.. DuBertraud then
gave the manner in which the word was
to be given, which was done in as rapid
a manner as the circumstances of the
case would permit, evidently with the
hope, if possible, to prevent bloodshed.
The real work now began; the ques-
ton was asked, Gentlemen, are you
ready?" Silence gave consent, and the
fatal words, Fire one" were given.
At the word one Mr.. Phillips delivered
his fire, and almost simultaneously, but
perceptibly aferward, Mr.. Bienvenu's
gun was discharged, aud he fell dead,
shot through the brain. The word two
was not given, as both parties had dis
charged their weapons, and one lay a
bleeding, liieless corpse, the other stand.
ing at his post.
The ball entered the right cheek o.
the dead man, crushing the jaw bone,
ranging upward through the brain, and
then ranging downward into the spinal
column. Death must have been instan-