Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-07-15
OLD.TIME DUELLTNG.
The Code of Honor In LOuIsiana-A
Contest TO the De cath,

The Code of Honor In LOuisiana-A
Contest to the Death.
New Orleans Bulletin
In the winter of 1887 very extraordi-
nary fight occurred on the floor Of the
House Of Representatives Of Louisiana,
then in session. The cause Of the affair
was always wrapped in mystery. Alcee
La Branche, a popular Creole planter,
was Speaker of the House, Of which
Colonel John R. Grymes was a distin-
guished member.
One day, just es the Speaker ascended
the desk and was about to cali the House
to order, Colonel Grymes stalked down
the main aisle in front of the Speaker 8
chair, having brace Of dragoon pistols
in his hand, and approaching the
Speaker, aimed one Of the pistols at him
and fired. The ball grszed the Speaker s
head. he quickly drew pocket pistol
and fred at Colonel Grymes, but without
effect The Speaker then retired, Col.
Grymes pursuing him into the street
where several ladies who we're prone
nading Canal street passed between the
combatants. They were separated, and
the affair here ended,
Grymes was arraigned before the
House for violating its privileges, and
his course indicated bitter spirit and,
as was believed, with bitter determine.
ton to cause a personal difficulty, in or
der to attract attention and secure a lib
eral patronage from the party for which
he was laboriDg with such vigor and
earnestness. In the contest for Congress
in the fall Of 1874, the Democrats had as
their candidate in the Fourth District
General Bossier, who, few years before
had killed distinguished Wing leader,
General Gsiennie, in duel with rifles,
and in the Second District, Mr.. Alcee La
Branche, formerly Speaker Of the House
of Representatives, and subsequently
first chargee from the United States to
the republic of Texas.
Mr.. Huston, editor Of the Baton
Rouge Gazette, noticing the candidates
in very sarcastic and bitter article, re-
ferred to the personal affair of Mr.. Bos-
sier and La Branche as displaying very
opposite qualities in these gentlemen,
the one being selected for his prowess in
battle, the other for his skill and agility
in retreat.
Mr.. La Branches attention was called
to the article, and he was about to set of
for Baton Rouge to call Huston to a re.
sponsibility, when he learned that Hus-
ton 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, being di.
rected to a small man who was playing
billiards as Mr.. Huston.
La Branche walked up to him and in
quired if he was Mr. Huston of the Baton
Rouge Advocate. He answered: Yes,
sir. Then, sir" was the rejoinder.
u am Alcee La Branche, whom you
have grossly slandered." At the same
time he raised his cane and struck Hus.
ton several severe blows on the head,
which stunned him and he fell on the
floor. Huston was badly injured, and
several days elapsed before he was in a
condition to consider the steps to be
taken in the case,
AS soon, however, he felt sufficiently
strong, he sent for his friends and dis
patched challenge to La Branche, who
Immediately accepted it, choosing
double.barrelled shotguns, to be loaded
with balls, as the weapons, at the dis
tance of forty PAGES. Huston, recklessly
impatient for the combat, accepted the
terms, and before he had recovered from
the effect of the blows he had received
from La Branche, rode out with his
friends to the GENTLY ridge, where
more than the usual number of friends
OF both parties we're 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
quiekness and steadiness. There was
parley between fires. Neither principals
nor seconds manifested or felt the slight
est desire for reconciliation or settle
ment. II was duel to the death. Hus-
ton, the Northern born and educated
man, was as determined as the fiery Gre
ole Several times did they fire without