The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-30
AN INCIDENT OF ANTE-BEL.
LUM DAYS.
A Fatal Duel on Metairie Ridge.

In the winter Of 1887 very extraordinary dgh
occurred on the floor Of the House Of Represent
atives Of Louisiana, then in session. The caus
Of t. lis affair was always wrapped in mystery
Alcee La Branche, popular Creole planter, wa
Speaker Of the House, of which Col. John B
Grymes was . distinguished member.
| One day, just ~ the Speaker assembled tn
desk and was about to call the House to order
Col Grymes stalked down the main aisle in from
Of the Speakers chair, having brace ct dra
COON pistols in his hand, and approaching the
Speaker, aimed one of the pistols at him ani
fired. The ball grazed the Speakers head. who
quickly drew = pocket pistol and fred at Col
Grymes, but without effect. Ths Speaker ther
retired, Col. Grymes pursuing him into the
street, where several ladies who were promenad
ing Canal street passed between the combat
ants. They were separated, and the affair here
ended.
Grymes was arragned before the House for
violating It's privileges, and his course indicated
bitter spirit and as was believed with de-
termination to cause personal difficulty, in
order to attract attention and secure liberal
patronage from the party for which he was
laboring with such uigor and earnestness. In
the contest for Congress in the fall 1874, the
Democrats had as their candidate in the Fourth
District Gen. Bosser, who, fewy years before, had
k He'd distinguished Wing leader, Gen. Gaien-
ME, in duel with rifles, and in the Second Dis
trict Mr. Alcee La Branche formerly Speaker Of The
House of Representatives, and subsequently
first Charge from the United States to the Re-
public OF Texas.
The Baton Rouge Gazette, noticing the
candidates in very sarcastic and bitter
article, referred to the personal affair OF Mr.
Bossier and La Branche as displaying very
opposite qualities in these gentlemen, the one
being selected for his proves in battle, the other
for his skill and agility 10 retreat.
Mr.. Huston was warm partisan OF the Wing
school. and responded to the charge with his
usual ability. He was reprimanded by the
Speaker pro tenn. The parties, we believe were
afterward recOnclled.
Nothing could b more improper and impudent
than for third party, having no connection with
facts Of the controversy, especially in q con-
temptuous and disparaging sense. Such impro-
priety was, in moment OF political excitement,
committed by Mr.. Huston, a young man who
edited the Baton Rouge Gazette in 1874.
One had slain his man, and the other had
sought protection from the wrath of an infuri-
sted chief of his cwn party behind the safe bull
wark of petticoat. The allusion was made
more distinct and pointed by giving the names Of
the parties. 1t would be difficult to imagine a
more irritating and insulting as well az unjusti-
fable and gratuitous, invective than this.
Mr.. La Bran he's attention was called to the
article and he was about to set off for Baton
Rouge to call Huston to responsibility, when
he learned that Husron was then in the city, at
the st. James Hotel Accompanied by two
Creole friends he proceeded to the hotel, and
hearing that Huston was in the billiard saloon,
he entered that room, and being directed to a
small man, who was playing billiards, as Mr..
Huston,
he was Mr.. Huston, of the Baton Rouge Adro-
cate. He answered, 'Yes, sir I" Them cir,
was the re, oiuder, II am Alcee La Bfanche,
whom you have grossly slandered." At the same
time he raised his cane and struck Huston sew
eral severe blows on the head, which stunned
him, and he fell On the floor. Persons then
interfered and separated the parties. Huston
was badly injured, and several days elapsed be-
fore he was IN condition to consider the steps
to be taken in the case.
AS soon, however, as ho felt sufficiently strong,
he sent for his friends and dispatched chal-
lenge to La Branche, who immediately accepted
it, choosing double barrel shotguns, to be loaded
with balls as the weapon at the distance Of forty
PAGES. Huston. recklessly impatient for the
combat, accepted the terms, and before he had
from the effect Of the blows he had
received from L. Branche, rode out with his |
friend to the GENTLY Ridge, where more than |
the usual number OF friends OF both parties were
assembled.
The guns were loaded and the parties placed |
in position. At the first fire both missed 1t
was evident, however, that La Branche handled |
his piece with more quickness and steadiness. |
There was no parley between fires. Neither |
slightest desire for reconciliation settlement.
It was duel to the death. Huston, the North
srn born and educated man. was as determined |
as the fiery Creole. Several times did they fire
a ithout effect.
Their impotence to destroy one another rem
IRE, La Branches ball passed through the hat of
Huston, producin slight abrasion of the skin |
Ind causing the blood TO trickle down his cheek.
Another pop," cried Huston, fearful that his
;ook their stand again for the last time. It was
quite noticeable that La Branche had got the
'ange, and a general preeentiment was felt that |
,e would make = finish of the affair at the next
ire.
The word was given. Huston fred first, La
3rsnche more slowly and steadily, and, alas,
atslly. Huston staggered and fell In second
le was in the arms OF that eminent surgeon Dir.
Warren Stone, who detected at q glance the
ocality and the character Of the wound, and
which he tore the shirt, arrested the gushing
orrent of the life ebbing current"
He saw that the wound was mortal He was
llready insensihle and gasping. The ball had
passed directly through his lungs. Hust IN was
,orne to q carriage in which he was supported
IN the knees of Dr.. Stone and one of his friends.
long before the carriage reached the city he
lad breathed his last. without q word escaping
lis ite.
THE WASHINGTON ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION -
ye direct the attention OF interested parties
o the list, published in another column, OF the
Ulcers and members of the Finance, Executive,
investigating and Relief Committees, elected al
he recent meeting Of the association, to serve
uring the ensuing year.
If you drink. drink Kelley's Island port
zine. For sale by !. L. Lyons, corner Camp
nd Gravier.
GREAT ATTRACTIONS IN DRY GooDs.-Our
eaders would do well to glance over the adver-
sement Of that famous dry goods merchant,
lr. J. Turcotte 1853 Canal street, who is now re-
ewing daily. by express from New York auc-
ions, a very large supply of white goods, VIII oh
re offered at remarkably low prices A list OF