Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-08-07
FATAL ARRAY.
Mr.. II. i. Green Shot and Killed
by Mr.. Benajah Gibson.
Donaldsonville Chief.

!
Wednesday afternoon. Mr. r. 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 the limits Of
the town of Donaldsonville, and Mr..
Benajah Gibson, member Of the Police
Jury from the 9th ward, became involv-
ed in shooting ARRAY, which resulted
in the mortal shooting Of Green. For
the present we shall give only the lead
ing and uncontested 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, tlceming it his duty
as an Alderman to champion the views
of the merchants and others who petit
toned the Council to take steps against
the ordinance; while Mr.. Gibson, as a
member of the Police Jury, has consis-
tently sustained the disputed measure.
Ont of this unfortunate difference of
opinion. which has extended to all
classes of our people and created much
unnecessary harsh feeling, grew the sad
event of Wednesday.
Nearly every body in town knew OH
Wednesday morning that a difficulty
was imminent between Messrs. Green
and Frederick Duticl, as the name OF
the latter had been given to Mr.. Green
rs the 9Nthor of the advertisement APP
bearing in last weeks Chief over the
Signature Of Dennis Butler, Justice o!
the Peace for this ward. Mr.. Green re-
garlcd the allegation that he was an
intruder into the Office of Justice Of the
Peace, rs personal atiront and II re.
tiection upon his character and it seems
that 10 amount Of argument on the part
Of friends. or even his legal adviser, was
potent to diSabusc his mind of this con,
viction. He declared his intention OF
calling Mr.. Duttcl to account, and hence
it was that an ARRAY betwcan that gen
tleman and Mr.. Green was looked for
However, they met at the post-otict
While the mail from New Orleans was
being distributed, but no a'tercatiol
occurred.
Nlcssrs. Gibson and Green also met at
the same lAace, and exchanged apIcas-
ant salutation, Is was their usual habit
Mr.. Green left the post-otlicc first, ac,
companicd by District Attorney Earhart
and stopped at the corner OF Railroad
Avenue and Attaliapas street, near Mr.
Augnste Bcrcegeay's residence, wher,
Green talked eXcitcdly about the Sunday
law and the Justice of the Peace imbrog
Ito. When Gibson passed the corner, so
ing towards lawyer Puyh's office, Gm"l
accostcd him abruptly and after some
severe language on both sides and Il vail
attempt on the District Attorneys par
to prevent a resort to violence, revOlver
were drawnand the men began firing a
each other. there is a serious conflict il
the testimony adduccd before the Coro
ner as TO which party fired first, SOM
witnesses contcndiny that Gibson fire.
two or three times before Green drew
his revolver, others declaring that tn
weapons were drawn about simnltanc
ously. Gibson fired rapidly, emptyin'
his revolver which is of the improved
sclf-cocking, Smith e. Wesson pattern
nickel plated. Green was sOmcwha
more deliberate III his aim, and hi
weapon-a short, common looking re
volvcr, resembling q "bull-dog'-scem
= to have snapped several times. Durin
the firing the combattants advanced II
Attakapas street, Green nearly in tn
middle Of the street and pushing" th
fighting. AS Green fired his last sho
Gibson faced about and ran as far a
Pugh's Office; Green turned and Wake
few steps towards the lower side G
the street and suddenly fell forward o
his face across the edge of Ilatcles bar
qucttc. He was presently lifted up an
carried into Mr.. Hatele's house, wher
DR.. Duhel, assisted by Drs. Vandegri
and Claverie, rendered the neccssar
mcGica! assistance. 1t was found tina
a ball had entered the patients body o
the right sids near the arm-pit, passin
clear t1ough and emerging on the lei
+ side at a spot somewhat lower than til
, point of entrance. o.
e The shooting occurred about quartz
r past o'clock, p. NJ. ; the patent wa
{ removed to his residence between 2 an
, to ~