The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-05
THE FIELD OF HONOR.
The Duel Yesterday.
A. B. Phillips, Esq, and A.
Bienvenu.
De- tn Of Mr.. Bienvenu.

A few days since, the Bulletin gave an ac-
count of an alteration and assault at the
Fifth District Court between Messrs. Phil
Iips and Benvenu. The alleged cause of the
blow given by Mr.. Phillips to Mr.. Bienvenu,
was an insult offered the former by the wife
of the latter. Since that time the respective
friends of both parties have been endeavor-
ing to adjust the difficulty, and although the
gentlemen representing the principals sought
by every means in their power to effect an
honorable compromise, after some light ex-
changes of visits, it was found impossible
to accomplish it, AMI accordingly the pre-
limnaries were entered upon.
To Mr.. Phillips fell the choice Of weapons,
he being the challenged party, and he chose
double barreled shot guns A-guage. At
an early hour yesterday morning the party
took the Mobile train, and about 1890 ar
rived at Montgomery Station, where they
disembarked. The morning was somewhat
cool, but the atmosphere was clear. The
fresh north wind served to send quicker
pulsatiOn to the pulse and to give new
yig0r to the arm. An observer, to look at
the party leaving the cars, would hardly be-
lieve that they were bound on mission of
death There was nothing apparent from
their bearing which would lead any one to
imagine the business before them. Leaving
railroad at Nicholson Avenue, the party took
direction from the Gulf, and when they
had reached spot on the extension Of the
avenue, about two hundred and fifty yards
from the railroad they started. The gentlemen
present were Fl. Dubertrand and Chas. De
Armas, representing Mr.. Phillips, and Chas.
Rieffel and another gentleman, native Of
our city, on behalf of Mr.. Bienvenu. DR.. l..
w. Scott was surgeon for the former, and
DIR. Howard for the latter. After careful
examination the ground was selected on the
avenue. and the men placed in their posi-
tions, distant forty yards. Both gentlemen
appeared cool and collected, in fact all who
were present speak in Mandatory terms of
the behavior of each party. Mr.. Dnbertrand,
to whom the right of giving the word had
fallen, advanced to the centre and thorough
" explained the mode in which he would
give it. The pines rustled in the morning
breeze, the long blades of grass nodded to
the passing wind, and here and there spar
row twittered at the food Of sunshine, obi
yious of the scene to be transacted.
At 1880 A. NJ, Mr.. Dubertrand's voice rang
through the woods: Gentlemen, are you
readyf" A moment passed and the response
from both sides came simultaneously !:
"Ready!!" Both parties were standing erect
with eyes fixed on each other. Not a move
ment of muscle, not a tremor. The word
Sire !" then came to the ears of all present
Zone, two" and before " three was enun-
away. At the word, one, or little after
both fired, Mr.. Phillips a trifle ahead.
There was quick jerk to Mr. Bienvenn's
head, sinking of his body and he fell. I'm
mediately his seconds and a physician rushed
to his aid but 1t was evident he was past
all that A hole in his right cheek the size
Of ones thumb, the jaw bone completely
shattered, told the story of a bullets work.
Without a whisper Aristide Bienvenu
passed away, ..his life blood ebbing out in q
pulls; ling stream dying the grass around.
Mr.. Phillips awaited at his position word
from his seconds to leave. After it was APP
parent Mr.. Benvenu was dead, that gentle
mans's friends approached, and assuring Mr..
Phillips seconds that everything had been
conducted properly, all parties left the
ground. A box was constructed to hold Mr..
Bienvenus remains, and they were carried
to the station. The brother of the deceased
was on the ground, and the sad termination
of the affair had natural effect upon him.
1t was painful to see the regret and anguish
he exhibited, and it was only through the
repeated advice Of the physicians that
he partook of some quoting draught.
The whole party returned to the city on the
afternoon train, on which also was the body.
The shot which killed Mr. Benvenu en-
tered the right cheek, breaking the jaw bone,
and passed out behind, completely shatter-
ing the three verterbrae of the neck. Death
must have been instantaneous and occurred
ut exactly thirty-6ve minutes to IL o'clock.
There were some fifteen present, amongst
whom were Col. Jack Wharton, Mr.. Fred
Bangs, the tragedian, Mr.. Joseph Mcneil
and others. We regret this sad termination
Of the affair between two brave men.
IS. CIRCUIT COURT.