The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-04-10
Duels In New Orleans.

A New York Sun correspondent gives
an account of some duels that took place
in New Orleans about twenty-five years
ago. he says: A young gentleman
from Mississippi, the son of wealthy
planter, went to New Orleans to spend
the gay season. He was quiet, modest,
and unassurning. His great wealth, fine
personal appearance, cultivated mind,
and engaging manners had marked him
as superior being among the throng OF
hard drinking, loud talking, staggering
young men Of that period. -, He was a
favorite among the ladies, 4Rd by his
general department excited the envy and
the ire of the bravadoes, who, notwith-
standing their well n-known dissoluteness,
were admitted into society. More than
one of them had attempted to fasten q
quarrel upon him, but had not succeed
ed. At length one of the most. reckless
of the famous duelists determined to
grossly insult him. Accordingly one
evening while the young Mississippian
was sitting ct a table in the rotunds, OF
the St. Louis hotel, the professional cut
throat stepped up to the table, and seiz-
ing the glass of wine, dashed it in the
enemy's face. It was supposed that,
according to the code, q peremptory
challenge must follow. But the Missis-
sippian knew his man, and had perfect
control, of himself. He said nothing,
did nothing; but quietly retired. He
was voted coward, of course, by the
throng. The next day passed and he was
not seen. It was supposed he had quit
the city. That evening the staggering
duelist who had given him mortal
afront was in the rotunda. the lion of
the night. Suddenly the Mississippian
appeared. He strol1ed across the rotun-
da to where the duelists was standing,
and, without saying word seized him
by the mustache and goatee, ierked his
mouth open and spat down his throat.
He was challenged on the spot. He ac-
cepted, and being the challenged party,
had the choice of weapons. This was
why he had bided his time. He selected
Mississippi rifles at forty yards. The
meeting took place the following day
out on the old Metairie course, and at
the first fire the professional fell dead,
with an ounce ball through his brain.
Such was the state of society in New
Orleans at that time, that it was the uni
versal custom at all balls and receptions,
even of select character, given at either
the st. Louis or st. Charles hotels, to
require every gentleman to be searched
for concealed weapons, in the dressing
room, before he was allowed to enter the
ball room. Upon one occasion, at a ball
given at the st. Louis hotel, two men,
both reputed gentlemen, men of wealth
and standing in the community, quar-
relied about an engagement to dance
with a lady. High words passed, and
it was supposed duel must be had on
the next day but one Of them, q few
moments later, dropped a note, with q
$5 gold piece enclosed, by string to one
of the hackmen on the pavement below.
The note contained request to obtain
q Thug knife, and fasten it to the string.
This was done, and the murderous wea-
pon a few minutes afterward was in the
possession of the soon to be murderer.
A Thug knife is short, dagger-shaped
DlAQ0, Will d CTO6o uauS1oOA AnAo HOoA'
It is grasped as corkscrew is when you
are about to pull cork, the blade pro-
truding about six or eight inches from
the clenched hand, between the two
middle fingers. Concealing this wea-
pom, the scoundred requested the man
with whom he had quarreled to Step
aside for a moment to an ante-rCom.
The request was complied with, and no
sooner had the door closed upon them
that the unsuspecting man was struck to
the heart with the Thug knife, and in
stantly killed. The murderer was
arrested and allowed to give bail, but
was not tried and I was told that he is
yet living in New Orleans, and, strange
as it may seem, is respected member OF
society.
Two cotton brokers quarreled, one
day, at the cotton exchange. High
words passed, but no challenge followed.
A few evenings afterward, while they
were at social club, one of them, with
out word of warning, drew a revolver.
The other threw up his hands, said he
was not armed, and begged for his Life,
which was not granted. he was shot
dead. An arrest and trial followed, but
the jury rendered verdict of acquittal.