The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-03

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results. This affair had occurred many years
before. and had been adjusted and forgotten
by almost everybody Its reproduction in q
political contest, and by q newspaper not
published in the district in which Mr.. La
Branche was candidate was justly regarded
by Mr., LAB. S friends as an insult of the
grossest character TO himself, his party and
his friends. Shortly after the appearance of
), this article Hueston visited New Orleans.
where he was received by the fighting men of
nouneed in one of the papers with flourish.
lhereupon Mr.. LaBranche sought him in the
st. Charles billiard room, and demanding
some PREPARATION for the gross insult offered
Hueston with 81 cane or billiard cue several
blows. knocking him down and disabling him
Hueston was taken to his rooms. A surgeon
was sent Tor. who attended to his wounds.
and from them two Of the most ex-
P "a.ta in such affairs were ,fo-
earliest ca, possible meeting at the Oaks.
y hhese friends 9, were Col. W. H, McArdle and
Richard Hagan, both of whsm had been en-
gagged in severai eallalrs of ( serious and san
| culinary character. Hueston's wounds were
Of more serious character than was at first
! imagined. His surgeon demonstrated against
his going out for several days B,n Hueston.
with an obstinaey which characterized his
whole conduct in this affair, insisted upon the
meeting taking place within three days2 Ae-
coralngly the arrangements We're made. Mr..
LaBranche's friends were Gen. John L. Lewis
pand Jos. Genois The weapons selected were
dou.ble-barreled shotgnns, both barrels loaded
with ball, Promptly the parties came to time
at the Oaks at break of day. A crSwd Of
spectators had been attracted to the scene.
In consequence of this interruption and the
ru1nored approach of the police, the parties
changed the ground to more remote locality
They could not eude the intrudefs, of whom
nearly two hundred reached the spot selected.
fIg ,1,,It al, L.
Forty yards was tRe distance agreed on. The
words were: "Fire-one, two. othree. four.
five The combatants must fire both barrels
between the words fire and Give" The
weapons We're ordinary shot.guns loaded with
ball. Gen: Lewis loaded Mr.. LaBraHche's
gun and Col. Hagan Mr.. Hueston's The
word was given by Col. McArdle Both
parties were cool and determined. 1t was OBJ
servable however, that Mr.. Hueston still
bore marks on his face of his recent
severe beating. His face was swollen and
his eyes blackened. He wore spectaeles and
white hat But never did a man manifest a
more determined aspect and greater nsen-
sibiity to danger, a more desperate resolve
to kill or TO be killed.
At the first lire both parties discharged
their pieces nearly together. One of the
balls from Mr. LaBranehe's piece passed
through Hueston's hat, another through his
coat Those of Hueston flew wide of the
mark. 1t was obvious tn the seconds and the
spectators that Mr.. LaBranche had the adj
vantage OF greater quickness and skill in
handling his weapon.
The seconds of Mr. LaBranche approached
those Of Mr. Hueston with the usual inquiry,
whether their principal was satisfied. These
gentlemen consulted Hueston. He SHOOK his
head with great positiveness, and requested
them to load up.
A second exchange was othen had, with
similar results to the first. The two balls of
LaBranche whizzed close by the head of Hues-
ton, who again fired wild.
There was another interview of the seconds
and repetition of the emphatic shake of the
head by Mr.. Hueston. His seconds remon-
strated and apologzed to the seconds of the
other side for the persistency OF their princi-
pal. Col. Hagan remarking that after the
next fire the distance should be shortened or
the parties retired
The spectators manifested the same senti-
ment by crying out that the affair should eud
there. But Hueston was immovable, and with
cool popularity requested that the guns be re-
loaded. His obstinacy prevailed.
There was third exchange. AS the smoke
cleared away the combatants were observed
IN the same position, apparently unhurt. One
missed the skull of Hueston, passing through
his hair and slightly puncturing the skin.
causing blood to flow.
At the third interview of the seconds it was
suggested that, Mr.. Hueston being wounded,
the combat should there end. This suggestion
appeared to intlame the obduracy of Hueston
Feel my pulse he asked of the surgeon,
"and say whether it does not beat steady and
regular" The surgeon felt his pulse and de-
clared that there was no irregularity, but
added that the affair ought TO end there, SO
thought and declared everybody else but
Hueston. He was infexible in his resolution
to kill or be killed. With manifest sorrow
and Indignation arrangements We're made for
the fourth exchange of shots.
AT the word the parties fired, as before.
Each discharged both barrels. At the dis
charge of LaBranche's first barrel, this being
his seventh shot, Hueston reeled and fell He
Branches second barrel was discharged, being
the eighth shot, before he could perceive the
effect of the last. His friends and surgeon
to Hueston, who was prone on the
to the city. An examination discovered that
he had been shot through the lungs, and had
but a few moments to live. He was taken to
the Maison de Sante, where, after the most
intense agony, during which he begged one OF
his friends, as the last kindness he could rem |
der him, to fire n ball through his head and |
end his torture, he died
The next day sorrowful cortege, composed |
OF the political and personal friends Of Hues-
ton, conducted his body to the steamboat, |
and the day after delivered it to his fam
lily at Baton Rouge No words can fifty |
describe the scene which the arrival of the |
corpse produced in the little family circle of |
which Hueston was the centre and the head. |
tragic and melancholy result be imputed to |
gallant and honored gentleman, whose virtues
and high traits and uniform courtesy and |
are cherished by a numerous
body OF relations and friends. Retiring shortly |
afterwards from the tumultuous scenes of po-
litical life, Mr.. Alcee LaBranche passed there.
mainder Of his DAYS on his plantation respect |
ed and belovedeby his neighbors, and leaving
behind him the reputation of q creole genti2
man who lived and died sans peur ct sans re-
proche.
The Colonnade Hotel Philadelphia Pa, ex-
h tns sefre1 81 MS Rrpat Popn III ana sue
excellence since its reduction of rates.
Danz2ger's is the place par excellence to buy
ySur dry goods.
GOLDEN CHAMPAGNE. - This wine is well
named. for it has the color OF the precious |
metal and the value of 1t in taste and sprightli-
ne 9. It Is one Of the best nniYe wines til at we