The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-03-23
pUELINa TO THE DEATH.

DUELINa TO THE DEATH.
Tragic Episode In the Life Of Louisians
veteraa-A Fight with DOuble-Barreled
Shotguns-Res0lved to XIII or be Killed
From the New Orleans Democrat
We, in common with a host of the
other friends of our fellow-citizen, Gen.
John L. Lewis, are gratified to see him
once more abroad, in the enjoyment OF
that remarkable vigor and vivacity OF
mind, body and spirits which have dis.
tinguished him throughout his long and
eventful life, and have been SO well pre-
served to an extreme old age. Gen.
Lewis is one of the few survivors of the
era of the cession of Louisiana to the
United States and the establishment OF
what is known as the American Domin-
ion. A native of Kentucky, born in
1900, he was brought by his father to
this city when an infant, witnessed the
transfer of Louisiana to the United
States, was present as boy at the bat
tie of New Orleans, knew familiarly all
the great men who have figured in the
eventful history of the city, has filled
successfully the offices of clerk of our
First District Court, Sheriff, Mayor of
the city, Senator, and Major General of
the militia, and during our late civil
war marshaled the militia of the State
and led them with the most heroic gal
lantry and military skill against the
well equipped and disciplined army of
Banks, in the brilliant charge and VIC
tory of Mansfield. -Ea
We will now give the correct recital
of sad Renaissance of Gen. Lewis.
This is the version of q duel which oc-
CURED in this city more than so years
ago, in which Gen. Lewis acted the part
forced upon him, of friend of one of
the combatants. In this capacity the
duty devolved upon Gen. Lewis of load
ing the weapon of his principal. BY
this load brave man, father and hus-
band, was killed. Twenty years after
ward, during our late war, the eye Of
the General when marching, at the head
of his command through a village in
one of the Red River parishes, was as
trxcted by sign over small store
which was painted with the letters
"Mrs. Hudson, milliner and manteau.
Maker Hating in front of the store
he inquired of some citizens who stood
near: Is the lady who keeps this store
the widow of gentleman who was an
editor in Baton Rouge and was killed 80
years ag0?'' "The same," was the re-
Spouse. g.-a
"My God!" exclaimed the warm
hearted veteran to a brother officer who
rode by his side, 81 loaded the gun
which killed him. The tears gushed
from his eyes, his utterance was choked
with grief, and one of his aids had to
seize him by the arm to prevent his fall
ing from his horse. The General di-
rected one of his aids to inquire into the
circumstances of the widow, and to ten
der any aid or protection in his power
to alleviate the sorrow and destilution in
which she had been left by the unhappy
bereavement in which he had borne so
prominent part. Fortunately, how
ever, the widow was in far better cir
cumstances than the poor Confederate
chieftain.
As the General rode out of the village
with his staff, he related the facts. 1t
was in 1913 that very violent political
campaign occurred in this State between
the Wing and Democratic parties. The
contest was for representative in Con-
gress. Each party had brought forward
its strongest candidates. The journals
of the two parties were especially vigor-
Gus and aggressive in their assaults up
on the nominees Of the adverse party.
The Tropic, daily newspaper, con-
Quoted with great vigor and savagery
by Col. McArdle, infused fiercely bel
tone into the party and its press
throughout the State. Many personal
conflicts and affairs of honor resulted
from this bellicose spirit. These quar-
rels of individuals were adopted by their
parties, and the fights assumed the
character of faction fights instead Of
personal affairs of honor. One of the
most unhappy and tragic of these CON-
bats was that which resulted in the death
of Hueston, the editor of the Baton
Rouge Gazette. Hueston was of North
ern birth, and had recently assumed ed
itorial charge of the paper, which had
maintained the reputation of
a prudent, sedate, and cautious Wing
journal. The Democratic candidates in
the Fotirth and the Second Congress
siOnal Districts were Gen. Bossier and
the Hon. Alcee La Branche. They were
Creoles. Mr.. La Branche had been
Speaker of our House of Representa-
tives. Gen. Bossier, the Democratic
in the Fourth District, had had
several duels, in one of which, a sword
combat, he slew Gen. Gaiennie, the
great Wing leader of his district. Now,
the Baton Rouge Gazette, referring to
these characteristics of the two Demo-
cratic candidates, was ungarded enough
to taunt the Democrats of the Second
District with a preference for a man
destitute of spirit and manhood. To
make the insult more CALLING, as it af-
fected Mr.. La Branche, allusion WAS
made to the only personal affray in
which he had ever been engaged, and
when he acted on the defensive, and
without fatal or serious re-
suits. This affair had occurred many
years before, and had been adjusted and
forgotten by almost every body. Short
y after the appearance of this article
Hueston visited New Orleans, where he
was received by the fighting men of his
party as q lion. His arrival was an
bounced in one Of. the papers with a
flourish. Thereupon Mr.. La Branch
sought him in the St. Charles billiard
.oom, and demanding some PREPARATION
or the gross insult offered him and re-
,eiving defiant response, he struck
duestOn with a cane or billiard cue sew
raj blows, knocking him down and dis
Ibling him. HuestOn was taken to his
.ooms. A snrpenn was sent for. who