River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-04-18
DneIs in New Orleans.


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 Mis-
sissippi, the son of wealthy planter,
went te New Orleans TO spend the gay
season. He was quiet, modest and unas-
suming. His great wealth, Ene personal
appearance, cultivated miri, and engage
ing manners had marked him as a supe-
nor being among tho throng of hard
drinking, loud talking, staggering young
men OF that period. He was favorite
among the ladies, and by his general de-
pertinent excited the envy and the ire of
the bravadoes, who, notwithstanding their
well known dissoluteness, were admitted
into society. More than one of them had
attempted to fasten quarrel upon him,
but had not succeeded.
At length one of the most reckless of the
famous duelists Determined to grossly
insu!t him, Accordingly one evening
while .he young Mississippian was sitting
at table in the rotunda of the ST. Louis
hotel, the professional cut throat stepped
up to the table, and scizing the glass of
whine, dashed it in the enemy's face. 1t
was supposed that, according to the
code, peremptory challenge must follow.
But the Mississippian knew his man, and
had perfect control of himself He
said nothing. did nothing; but quietly
retired. He was voted a coward, of
course, by the throng. The next day
passed and he was not seen. 1t was sup
posed he had quit the city. That evening
the staggering duelist who had given
him a mortal affront was in the rotunda,
the lion of the night. Suddenly the
Mississippian appeared.
He strolled across the rotunda to where
the dne.ists was stanting, and without
saying word seized him bye the mus
tache and goatee, jerked his mouth open
and spat dow his drought. He was
challenged on the spot. He accepted,
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 .nee:irg took
place the following day on, on the old
Metairie course, and at the first fire the
professional fell dead, with an ounce ball
through his brian.
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 a select character, given at either
the st. Louis or ST. Charles hotels, to re-
quire 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 ball given at
the st. Louis hotel, two men, both reput
ed gentlemen, imen of wealth and stand
ing in the community, auarreled 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, few moments later, drop
ped note, with SIS gold piece enclosed
By string to one of the hackmen on the
pavement below. The note contained
request to obtain Thug knife, and fas-
ten it to the string. This was done. and
the murderous weapon few minutes at
terward was in the possession of the soon
to be murderer. A Thug knife is a short
dagger-shaped blade, with cross handle
of hard wood. 1t is grasped as a cork
scrow is when you are abour to pull
cork, the blade protruding about six or
eight inches from the clenched hand, be-
tween the middle fingers.
Concealing this weapon, the scoundrel
requested the man with whom he had
quarreled TO step aside for moment to
an ante room. The request was complied
with, and no sooner had the door closed
upon them than the unsuspecting man
was struck to the heart with the Thug
knife, and instantly killed The murder
er was arrested and allowed to give bail,
but was not tried; and | was told that he
is yet living in New Orleans, and, strange
as it may seem, is a 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 a word of warning, drew 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 virdict of acquittal