Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-08-05
} FATAL ARRAY.
Mr.. II. II. Green Shot and Killed
by Mr.. Benajah Gibson.
DOnaldsOnvillo Chief.


on the streets of Donaldsonville last
Wednesday afternoon. Mr.. X. j. Green,
member of the Town Council from the
second municipal ward, and recently
appointed Justice of the Peace for the
parochial ward formed by tho limits Of
the town of Donaldsonville, and Mr..
Behajah Gibson, member Of the Police
Jury from the 9th ward, became involv-
cd in q shooting atlray, which resulted
in the mortal shooting Of Green. For
the present we shall give only the lead
ing and unc0ntestcd facts Of the affair,
deferring any comment and statement
of minor particulars until after the pre-
liminary examination, which Judge
Cheevers will hold to-day.
As is well known in the community,
Mr.. Green, in his capacity of member
of the Town Council, has been the most
active opponent of the Police Jury's
Sunday ordinance, decming it his duty
as an Alderman to champion the viows
of the merchants and others who petit
toned tho Council to take steps against
the ordinance; while Mr.. Gibson, as d
member of tho Police Jury, has consis-
tently sustained tho disputed measure.
Out of this unfortunate difference of
opinion, which has extended to all
classes of our people and created much
unnecessary harsh feeling, grew tho sad
event of Wednesday.
Nearly every body in town knew on
Wednesday morning that difficulty
was imminent between Messrs. Green
and Frederick Dutfel, as tho name Of
the latter had been given to Mr.. Green
as the author of the advertisement ap-
pearing in last weeks Chief over the
signature Of Dennis Butler, Justice of
the Peace for this ward. Mr.. Green re-
garded tho allegation that he was an
intruder into tho Office Of Justice of tho
Peace, as q personal attront and TO-
Election upon his character, and it seems
that no amount Of argument Oh the part
Of friends, or even his legal adviser, was
potent to disabuse his mind of this con-
viction. He declared his intention of
calling Mr.. Duffcl to account, and hence
it was that an ARRAY between that ge1-
tleman and Mr.. Green was looked for.
However, they met at the post-office
while the mail from New Orleans was
being distributed, but no alteration
occurred.
Messrs. Gibson and Green also met at
the same place, and exchanged a pleas
ant salutation, as was their usual habit.
Mr.. Green left tho post-oilice first, &C
companied by Dist .ct Attorney Earhart,
and stopped at tho corner of Railroad
Avenue and Attakapas street, near Mr..
Augusta Bercegeay's residence, where
Green talked excitelly about the Sunday
law and the Justice of the Peace imbrog-
lilo. When Gibson passed the corner, 60
ing towards lawyer PusHs Office, Green
accosted him abruptly and after some
severe language on both sides and a vain
attempt on tho District Attorneys part
to prevent resort to violence, rcvolvera
were drawn and the men began firing at
each other. there is q serious conflict in
the testimony adduced before the Coro-
nor as to which party fired first, somt
witnesses contcnding that Gibson fired
two or thrco times before Green drew
his revolver, others declaring that the
weapons wcro drawn about simultanc
ously. Gibson fired rapidly, cmptyine
his revolver which is of the improved
self-cocking, Smith e. Wcsson pattern,
nickel plated. Green was somewhat
more deliberate in his aim, and hi'
weapon-a short, common looking re.
volver, resembling a "bu"-dog'-sceml
to have snapped several times. During
the firing the combattants advanced ur
Attakapas street, Green nearly in the
middle of tho street and "pushing" the
fighting. AS Green fired his last shot
Gibson faced about and ran IS far as
Pugh's Office Green turned and walked
few steps towards tho lower side OF
tho street and suddenly fell forward Oh
his face across the edge Of Hafclc's ban
quctte. He was presently lifted up and
carried into Mr.. Hafele's house, where
DR.. Duffel, assisted by Drs. VandcgriA
and Clavcrie, rendered the necessary
medical assistance. 1t was found that
q ball had entered tho patients body or
tho right side near tho arm-pit, passing
clear through and emerging OH tho left
sido at a spot somewhat lower than thu
point of entrance.
Tho shooting occurred about quarter
past o'clock, 2. NJ. the patient wa: