Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-11
DUEL In NEW ORLEANS.

4 few days days ago brief telegram was
published announcing the fact of duel fought
near New Orleans, 10 which Alfred b. Philips,
an attorney at law, and Arlstlde BlenVenue, a
wealthy gentleman, we're the principals The
New Orleans Times, of the 5th instant, con-
taius full account OF the affair, from which
the subioined statement is compiled:
The affair grew out'of law suit, the case OF
Madame Olympe-the canal street modlste :
VS.. Mr.. Arstde Bcnvenu, wherein plaintiff
claimed a SUN of money for millinery aud
dress making account contracted by Mrs. Blen
veuu. Mr.. A. B. Phillips was pIaiutitf' 5
counsel At the trial were present Mr.: and
Mrs. Bieuvenu, aud upon its close the latter
proceeded to the clerks office, whittier Mr.
Phillips directly following, be was straight
way met by the lady, who upbraided him f'r
the course he had pursued In the case. Mr.
Phillips offered no resentment, but at once
sought the ludy's husband The circumstance
was stated TO him when he replied, IF NY
wife has iusuIted you she has done just right,
and will take occasion to insult you more.
At this reply Mr.. Phillips knockcd Mr. B!en-
yvru down The latter immediately cha;leug-
cd his assaiIaDt, Mr.. Phillips accepted, Aprl
/ canned as the day, shot guns ana ball as the
WEAPONS, forty PAGES the distance, aud Bay ..
Louis as the battle ground.
ne TlcClpdlS Wcie ~ tiS P'i'i'
de>igna ed Messrs Du Bertrand and Charles
D'Arn,as acted as seconds, aud DIR. Isaac SOFT
AS surgeon, to accompany Mr.. Phillips; Mcssrs.
Lcopold Lang aud Charles Rcitic as seconds,
and DIR. Huurd as surgeon, accompanied Mr..
BicEveEu.
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.
The weapons we're duly loaded with ball, and
the principals were placed IN position Mr.. Du
Bertrand then briefly stated the terms of the
cartel which stipulated that the cOmbaants
should stand with their weapons held i'll such u
manner that the G,uzzlcs should be pointing to
the ground: that the words should be: Gen
,cmeu, are you ready?' that silence would be
interpreted into consent, when the words,
Fire one, two, three" would be given; that
they could raise their weapons and trc after
the word fire" aud before the word three. "
The question was asked: "GentlemeD, arc you
rcady?' Silence gave consent, aud the fatal
words Fire one, were given. Al the word
''oue" Mr.. Phillips delivered his fire. and al
most simultaneously, but perceplbly aiterward,
Mr.. Blcuvenus gun was discharged, aud ne
clI dead, shot through the brain. The word
two" was Dot given, as both parties had dis
char ged their weapons aud one lay bleeding,
lfrless corpse, the other standing at his post
until permitted to retire.
The surgeons hurried to the fallen victim,
but all their skill was OF no avail, as could read
lily be seen. The ball entered the right cheek
OF the dead man, crushing the jaw bone, rang
ing upward through the brau, and then rang
ing downward into the spinal column. Death
must have been instantaneous.
Benveuu, the dead duelist, belonged to the
ancient family of that name which has for years
been identified with the history of Louisiana
lie was born in New Orleans, where he contin-
ucd to reside up to the time of his death.