The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-04-17
MR.. BIENvENU KILLED AT THE FIRST
FIRE.

On the first day of July, 1873, Judge
VIM. H. Cooley met his death in a duel
at the hauds of r. Bafnwell Rllett, Jr
1t was the first fatal duel in this section
for several years, and although it was
followed by several rencOntres on the
field of honor" it was not matched un-
I'll yesterday, when, at the same place,
the village of Bay st. Louis, in Missis-
slppi-Mr. Alfred B. Phillips, an attor-
ney-at-law in New Orleans, shot and in
stantiy killed Mr. Arlsride Bienvenu,
also of this city, in a meeting Of a SINH
lar nature.
THE HISTORY OF THE CASE.
About two weeks ago there was in pro-
gress OF trial before Judge Cullom, of
the Fifth District Cnnrfz the case of
Madame Olympe-the Canal street mo
diSte-vs. Mr.. Aristide Bienvenu, where
in plaintiff claimed a sum of money for
millinery and dress-making account
contracted by Mrs. Bienvenu. MI. A. B.
Phillips was plaintiffs counsel. At the
trial were present Mr.. and Mrs. Bien-
venu, and upon its close the latter pro-
ceeded to the clerks office, whittier Mr..
Phillips directly following, he was
straightway met by the lady, who
FROM UPBRAIDING HIM
for the course he had pursued in the
case, involving an alleged attachment
for her horses and carriage, drifted into
a violent abuse, which embodied theap
plIlcation to Mr.. Phillips of all the I'M
pleasant epithets in the calendar, and to
which Mr.. Phillips made the response
that his assailant being a woman he
could offer no resentment, but that he
Woul notify her husband that he must
restrain such exhibitions.
Leaving then the office for the court
room, to place the matter before MI.
Blenyenu, he met that gentleman at the
threshold of the door, coming toward
him, and to him said: "Mr. Bienvenu,
your wife has grossly insuIted me, and /
desire you to prevent
ANY FURTHER REPETITION Fl
of such conduct" ~ - IA
10 this Mr.. Bienvenu replied, " II my
wife has lnsulted you she has done lust
right, and | myself will take occasion to
insult you still more" Nosoonerd did he
utter these words, than Mr.. Phillips, pro-
Yoked beyond endurance, knocked Nj.
Blenvenu down, at which iunctlre Mrs.
b, yoc~lferating her indignation, made a
rush for Mr.. Phillips with intent to at
TACK him, but being at once prevented
Dy by-standers, committed ne damage
Meanwhile, Mr.. b., rising to q ~ I
SITTING POSTURE
made q movement as If to-draW q weap-v
but those standing by restrained his
movements, in that direction-Mr. Phil
ups standing his ground quietly, but
making no effort beyond his first blow. i
He then leftthe apartment, as did the
other parties, shortly thereafter.
THE DEADLY SEQUEL.
The result Of the episode ~transpired
yesterday in a duel to the death.
MI: Blenvenu sought the assistance Of
Two friends, a challenge was passed and
accepted, Saturday, April 4, named as
the date, shotguns and ball as the weap-
ons, forty PAGES the distance and Bay
st. Louis as the place.
The parties with their friends Assem-
nled at 8 o'clock a. M, yesterday, at the
depot of the New Orleans, Mobile and
Texas Railroad, at the foot of Canal
in time to take the train which
destined to hurry them to the arena
OF blood. Messrs. DuBertrand and Chas.
DArmas acted as seconds, and Dr.. Isaac
Scott as surgeon, to accompany Mr.. Phil
ups /; Messrs. Leopold LANCE and Charles
he1inei as seconds, and DR.. Huard as sur
@SohyF ANOA1HGbAfCA NH DIGtlASnHa IA
number OF other gentlemen went al
spectators, apparently actuated Inv q de-
slre to effect o compromise or settlementi
IN event an opportunity should occur.
Among others were Col. Jack Wharton
Col. Morrison, Mr.. 0'Neil, Mr.. Bangs, Nh. |
bigger, and q brother of the deceased,
Blenyenu, and some ether gentle
men whose names we cannot recall. The
train started on time,
AND THE TRIP WAS MADE |
without any occurrence of moment, up
q the time OF arrival at the depot at
Nicholson avenue, at Bay st. Louis,
where the party left the cars. The num-
of persons, all told, could not have
exceeded twenty. The day was lovely
bright, and a casual observer would |
failed to notice anything unusual,
y calculated to excite a suspicion as to
he dreadful finale impending.
When the party arrived at the station,
he seconds proceeded to select and
Measure the ground. They located the
pot for the conflict at about anhundred
ards distance from and on the south
ide of the railroad.
THE GROUND WAS MEASURED, q
driven, and a toss for choice of
VA UAC NOl0 Was HAUL WHICH 1
Won by the second of Mr.. Phillips.
This delay occupied about half ARMOUR.
During the time the rest ofthe company
lad broken into groups, and were loune-
ng around as casual spectators. The
principals appeared to be u~nexceptiOna-
cool; calm and collected. Neither
evidenced the slightest symptom Of ner-
Tousness, or gave any indication Of per-
Ional apprehension, although there was
10 levlty of manner, but on the con-
rather q seriousness of manner in
keeping with the terrible tragedy SO neal.
It hand. The weapons, double-barreled
ihotgTIns,
WERE DULY LOADED WITH BALL
~ the seconds, and the principals were
in position. Mr.. Du Bertrand
hen briefly stated the terms OF the carr
which stipulated that tue comba-
ants should stand with their weapons
leId in such q manner that the muZzles
be pointing to the ground; that
he words should be: Gentlemen, are
'ou ready ~ that silence would be in
erpreted into consent, when the words
fire, one, two, three would be given
hat they could raise their weapons and
ire after the word tfre' and before the
word " three.n Mr.. Du Bertrand then
rave the manner In which the word was
b be given, which was done in as rapid
manner as the circumstances of the
ase would permit, evidently with the
Iope of the gentleman, if possible,
TO PREVENT BLooDsHED.
But alas this effort proved futile, as
he sequel proved. Real work now be-
AN, the question was asked: Gentlemen
re you Teady9 Silence gave consent