Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-11-24
4 MEXICAN DUEL

~ hJJ-hlSitN DtIlS
Details have been received by mail Of the
fatal duel near the City of Mexico re-
ferred to in the papers Of November 9. The
difficulty arose out Of Il dispute at the Per-
alvllo races over the possession of some OF
the seats, and was aggravated by the fact
that some of the disputants were foreigners.
1t appears that the British Minister, Sir
Spencer st. John. two American ladies and
AIr. de Chest had been witnessing the sport
from the raised seats or the grand stand.
During the customary promenade between
the races the party left their seats unoccu-
pied, and on their return were surprised TO
find they had been taken by some other for
eiguers. among whom was NJ. Olivier, a
French merchant.
Mr.. de Chest demanded that the lntru-
dcrs should give up the seats. NJ. Olivier
| refused. saving that, as the seats were not
numbered or reserved, his party had as good
a right 10 them "a the former occupants. To
this Mr.. de Chest replied that he was mem.
Der OF the Jockey Club and would see that
the seats we're given up. Some friend Of Mr..
de Chest said TO him while the row was going
on. do not mind these people; they are
Barceonnettes," alluding 10 the town in the
south of France whence many of the French
residents of Mexico have come. On the
other hand friend Of Nj. Olivier said to
| Mr.. de Chest. you are an insolent fellow,
and tomorrow you will answer TO nc Ior
| this: here is my card what have ! TO
do with your name answered SIR. dc
Chest, excitedly, 81 am uot in your set and
don't know you He appealed to the police
and caused NJ Olivier to be elected from
his seat and locked up njail.
The affair naturally caused great excite
menl in the city Of Mexico, partly on
account OF the different nationality Of
| the chief participants. Mr.. de Chest is one
of the leaders of society in the Mexican
capital and is connected with the Mexican
National bank. n. Olivier was connected
with a French firm Of high standing and
wa:, accompanied by French ladies belong
ing TO the best society in the city. Excite
| ment ran very high in the French colony.
The Coionic Erancojs demanded the eXpul-
sion of Mr. de Chest from the French Horse
Club and the Cercle Francois. a protest
against II. Ollivier's arrest was signed by
about two hundred French residents. and
he was finally released from jail by the
authorities.
The next day there was stormy scene
g the Mexican National Bank. 1t appears
| VI
house OF Olivier & Go. and is director
in the bank, demanded the dismissal Of Mr..
de Chest. The latter explained how the
affair occurred to Mr.. Robert, but he be-
came indignant and denounced Mr. de Chest
as a liar Mr. de Chest then handed in his
resignation, and said to Mr.. Robert that he
would send him Il challenge. The latter, 1t
is alleged, said he would kick Mr.. de Chest
and his seconds out of his house, whereupon
Mr.. de Chest struck Mr.. Robert iE the face.
Mr.. Robert announced that he would begin
criminal proceedings against his assaiant.
After this scene Mr.. de Chest challenged
NJ. Olivier. The challenge was accepted,
and M. Regauon was requested to act as
second. Not satisfied with this Mr.. de
Chest sent general challenge to each of
the persons who had signed the protest
against NJ Olliviers arrest.
The duel took place on the Sth Instant.
1t was fought with swords, and M. Olivier
was killed. About eight o'clock in the
morning Mr.. de Chest and NJ. Emile Oil
vier with their seconds, repaired to place
in the vicinity of Piedad. After the usual
preliminaries the combatants confronted
each other. Thrusts were skilfully parrled,
but at length Mr.. Olivier wounded his oppo-
nent in the shoulder. They fenced again
and Mr. de Chest received Il second thrust,
also in the shoulder At this moment there
was intense anxiety manifested, and the
seconds looked inquiringly at each other.
1t is said that II. OLIVIER now inquired,
Are you satisfied? ?" implying that he was
Mr.. de Chest, who was angered by the
wounds he had received, said: $50 on. 1t
is not for you to speak: your seconds alone
have that right" The fight went on, and
in moment Mr.. de Chest ran his sword
through the breast ofhis opponent, wound
ing him mortally. At the same instant NJ.
Ollivier's sword pierced the neck of his OPP
ponent, intlicting severe wound. The
physicians did all that was possible for the
wounded combatants, but NJ. Olivier died in
o short time. His remains lay in the after
noon at the French Hospital. Mr..
de Chest was assisted to his carriage and
returned to town. All was done in strict
accordance with the code. The news of
NJ. Ollvier's death produced profound sensa-
tion in town. His unclcs great warehouse was
closed and many friends hastened to make in.
ouiry and offer sympathy. Great gloom reigned
in the French colony and at the Mercantile ES-
change. The fatal occurrence was the theme ol
general conversation and many wild runners were
current.
NJ Oliyicr's funeral took place at the French
cemetery on the afternoon of the 9th inst. The
scene was very sad and impressive. The attend
ance was large. Mr. de Chest was unable to leave
his room owing to his wounds. he is under ar
rest and it is said will be placed on trial. II is
deemed probable that he will soon leave tho coun
try. Papers were found on Mr.. de Chest by the
!, authorities when he was placed under arrest
These contained letters from eight Frenchmer
offering to fight him in reply to his defiant letter
The authorities declared all of the Frenchmen tt
be under arrest, and informed NJ. de Coutouly, the
French Minister, who conferred with the person!
concerned and others. The affair will cause dcel
depression in the French colony.