Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-04-17
ANOTHER FATAL DUEL AT NEW
ORLEANS.

ANOTHER FATAL DUEL AT NEW
ORLEANS.
DEATH FOLLOWING A MILLINER's BILL
"A HUSBAND MEETS HIS DEATH
FROM AN INSULT GIVEN By His WIFE
THE SCENE ON THE FIELD.
&C., &c, NC.
1t is but few months since Judge
Cooley, of New Orleans, met his death in
a meeting with Barnwell Rhett, the editor
Of the "Picayune'' of that city, and the
last New Orleans papers, give the particu-
lars Of another fatal affair between two
well known citizens Alfred B. Phil
lips, attorney -at-law, and Mr.. Aristides
Bienyenu, at Bay st. Louis, in Mississippi,
the Louisiana duelling ground. The New
Orleans Chimes" of Sunday, gives the fol-
lowing particulars of the affair.
About two weeks ago there was in pro-
gress of trial before Judge Cullom, OF the
Fifth District court, the case OF Madame
Olympe-the Canal street nao6iste-ys: MI.
Aristides Bienvenu, wherein plaintiff CLAIM
ed a sum Of money for millinery and dress
making account contracted by Mrs. Blen-
venu. Mr. A. B. Phillips was PLAINTIFFS
counsel At the trial were present Mr..
and Mrs Bienvenu, and upon it's close the
latter proceeded to the clerks office,
whittier MI. Phillips directly following, he
was straightway met by the lady, who, from
upbraiding him for the course he had pur-
sued in the case, involving an alleged at
tachment for her horses and carriage,
drifted into a violent abuse, which embod-
led the application to Mr.. Phillips OF all
the unpleasant epithets in the calendar,
and to which Mr.. Phillips made the re-
Spouse that his assailant being woman he
could offer no resentment, but that he
would notify her husband that he must re-
strain such exhibitions.
Leaving then the office for the court
kroom, to place the matter before MI Blen-
venu, he met that gentleman at the TIRES
hold of the door, coming toward him, and
to him 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, eff my
wife has insulted you she has done just
right, and l myself will take occasion to
insult you still more" No sooner did he
utter these words than MI. Phillips, pro
voked beyond endurance, knocked Mr.. BIZ
enyenu down, at which juncture Mrs. B.,
vociferating her Indignation, made rush
for Mr. Phillips with intent to attack him,
but being at once prevented by bystand-
ers, committed no damage. Meanwhile
Mr. B., rising to a sitting posture, made a
movement as if to draw q weapon, but
those standing by restrained his move
ments in that direction-Mr. Phillips
standing his ground quietly, but making
no effort beyond his fist blow. He then
left the apartment, as did the other par
ties, shortly thereafter.
THE DEADLY SEQUEL.
The result of the episode transpired yes
terday in a duel to the death.
Nh Bienvenu sought the assistance OF
two friends, challenge was passed and
accepted, Saturday, April 4, named as the
date, shot-guns and ball as the weapons,
forty PAGES the distance and Bay st. Louis
as the place.
The parties, with their friends, assem-
bled at 8 O'Clock A. M. 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 destin-
ed to hurry them to the arena OF blood
Messrs. DuBertrand and Charles D'Armas
acted as seconds, and DIR. Isaac Scott as
surgeon to accompany Mr.. Phillips;
Messrs. Leopold Lange and Charles Ref
fel as seconds, and DR.. Huard as surgeon.
accompanied MI. Bienvenu. A number OF
other gentlemen went as spectators, appar-
emily actuated by desire to effect COM
promise or settlement in event an OppOr-
tunity should occur. Among others were
Colonel Jack Wharton, Colonel Morrison,
Mr.. O'Neil, Mr. Bangs, MI. Bigger, and a
brother of the deceased, Nh. Bienvenu, and
some other gentlemen whose names we
cannot recall. The train started on time,
and the trip was made without any occur
renee of moment, upto the time OF arrival
at the depot at Nicholson avenue and Bay
st. Louis, where the party left the cars
The Number of persons, all told, could not
have exceeded twenty. The day was lovely
and bright, and a casual observer would
have failed to notice anything unusual ,<or
calculated to excite a suspicion as to the
dreadful finale impending.
When the party arrived at the station,
the seconds proceeded to select and meas
ure the ground. They located the spot for
the conflict at about hundred yards dis
lance from, and on the south-side OF the
railroad. 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 oc-
cupied about half all hour. During the
time the rest of the company had broken
into groups, and were lounging around as
casual spectators. The principals appeared
to be unexceptionably cool, calm and col
lected Neither evidenced the slightest
symptoms OF nervousness, or gave any In
dication Of personal apprehension, al
though there was no levity OF manner, but
on the contrary, rather a seriousness OF
manner in keeping with the terrible TRACE
dy so near at hand. The weapons, double
barrel shot-guns,
WE'RE 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 weapons held in such q
manner that the mnzzles should be point
ing to the ground that the words should
be: "Gentlemen, are you ready?" that 81
lence would be Interpreted into consent,
when the words "fire, one, two, three"
would be given-that they could raise their
weapons and fire after the word fire" and
before the word 'sthree.'' Mr.. Du Ber-
trand then gave the manner in which the
word was to be given, which was done in
as rapid manner as the circumstances of
the case would permit, evidently with the
hope of the gentleman, it possible,
TO PREVENT BLooDsHED.
But, alas this effort proved futile, as
the sequel proved. Real work now began.
The question was asked Gentlemen, are
you ready ?" Silence gave consent, and
the fatal word fire ! one! were given. At
the word one Mr.. Phillips delivered his fire,
and almost simultaneously, but perceptibly
afterward, Mr.. Bienvenu's gun was dis
charged, and he fell dead, shot through the
brain. The word two was not given, as
both parties had discharged their weapons
and one lay bleeding, lifeless corpse. the
other standing at his post until permitted
to retire.
Both Drs. Scott and Huard hurried to
the fallen victim of the bloody code, 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