The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-01
DueIing by Balloon.

Dueling in balleenshas already been
tried by two F.encfffnen, and with re-
suits that should commend it to duelists.
M. De Courcy and Remonin fought duel
in this wise near Paris few years ago
with satisfaction to both principals and
seconds. The quarrel was about the famous
danseuse Henrietta, and as there was some
difficulty during the preliminary negotia-
tions about selecting spot for the encoun-
ter. somebody suggested that the fight
should come otf-in air A piquant sug-
gestion of this kind was sure to take
with Frenchmen, and it was at once
adopted. Nadir furnished two balloons
of about thirty thousand cubic feet each
that is, of a capacity for carrying each
three persons. When all was ready the
aerostats were conveyed to secluded
spot near the capital, where they were
expeditiously inflated by secret chemi-
cal process. NJ. De Courcy with his
second and a physician entered one car {;
NJ. Remonin, General Nebel and surgeon
occupied the other; and preparations
were made for the start. The circum-
stances were altogether favorable for the
singular experiment. It was delight
full morning in the middle of September |;
the sky was cloudless; scarcely breath
of wind stirred the foliage; the affair
had been SO carefully concealed that no.
body was present but the friends of. the
parties and the aeronautical assistants
employed to superintend the arrange
ments. A brief code of signals had been
devised by the seconds for the arrange
ment of the aerial combat. When all
was in readiness, the word 'let co." was
given, and instantly the two aerostats
Shot into the air. NJ. De Courcy's bal
loon was made Of blue and white spin
dies of silk that, of Remonin white silk,
painted with diagonal stripes of purple
and green. At the height of one thou
sand feet, by barometer, while the bal
looms we're yet very near together, the
seconds exchanged rapid signals, and
agreed that the conditions were favora-
bic for the contest. "Ready pa pause
Fire !"-nobody hit "Reload and re-
peat-quick !" Bang. When the smoke
cleared away, NJ. Remonin looked over
the side of the car and saw his oppo-
nent's balloon rushing downward with
frightful rapidity. His shot pierced the
gas-bag, and the violent out-rush of gas
had torn open the whole side Of the fab
ric and general smash of the occupants
of the car seemed inevitable. However,
the bag, suddenly loosening itself from
below, gathered upward in the netting
like parachute, the terrific descent of
the machine was arrested and NJ. De
Courcy and his friends reached the earth
with no further damage than sousing
in small brook. They landed within a
kilometer of the place of ascension. NJ.
Remonin and is friends, however, were
waited in the direction of Tours, and
freshing of the wind made their after.
rage somewhat more difficult and perilous
However, they managed at length to
anchor and get out of the car with
nothing worse than few bruises. The
affair was the talk of Paris for week af-
terwards. Both principals and seconds
declared themselves satisfied and there
was no renewal of hostilities. Aeronau
tical duels have the advantage of re-
moving the affair from every bodies ju-
risdiction to a region, in fact, where
writs are in-operative and sheriffs harm-
less