St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-09-20
SHOCKING DOUBLE TRAGEUY.

! A Duel on the Streets of vicksbure, Miss.
Results in the Mortal Wounding of Both
Participants-The Affair the Result OF q
Long Feud Growing Out of an Invasion
of the Domestic Circle of Captain Bourne
by James #. Metzler.
Y1CKsBURG, MISS, September 9.
About quarter before tWe.ve o'clock
yesterday Washington street in the yicins
ity of Arthur Jacobs store was the scene
of an intense excitement. A bloody and
thrilling tragedy, resulting i'll the
death of Captain Joshua W..
Bourne and the mortal wound
ing Of James +. MetZIer, occurred
The impromptu duel-tor such it was
was not unexpected, and when the rapid
pistol firing was heard, and before the.
| cause of it was definitely ascertalned,
many in the vicinity remarked that it was
Captain Bourne and Metz er. Trouble
has long been brewing between these
T men, and it eliminated in the bloody
work OF YESTERDAY.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
The beginning of the trouble between
the two men dates far back in the past.
There has been trouble between Captain
Bourne and his wife, and two suits are
now pending, one f1r divorce and one:
for possession of the children. Captain
Bourne, whether justly or not, has held
Neither responsible for his do
mestic infelicity, and this it was that led
to the bloody affair of yesterday. As
stated above, the two men have been at
outs for some time, and both have
seemed to expect and dread just such
an affair as occurred yesterday, as they
seemed to shun each other.
THE TRAGEDY.
They met, however, yesterday, and an
eye witness gives the following account
of the terrible scene that followeds
Metzler was standing on the sidewalk on
the west side of Washington street. He
was alone, or at least was not talking
to anyone. Bourne approached, but did
not seem to notice his arch-enemy until
within probably fifteen feet of him.
Suddenly he raised his eyes and the
hatred of years seemed to Gu inmate then
and there. Metzler's right side was
towards Bourne and he did not see the
lat1Tr. Bourne, quick as a fash, pulled
his revolver and, without word fired,
the ball passing through Metzler's bowels,
and body, making, it is thought,
mortal wound Metzler then re-
treated into Arthur Jacobs store, Bourne
following and firing rapidly. After Metz
Ter got into the store he got behind the
counter, drew his pistol and commenced
returning the fire. Bourne continued to
shoot aud advanced on Metzier until they
clinched, both firing until both pistols
We're emptied, when they were separated.
HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN.
Captain Bourne received two wounds,
one in the left breast a short distance
above the heart, and the other in the alb.
domen about two inches above the navel.
Captain Bourne requested that Father
Pichrrit and his wife and children be
sent for. Father Picherit was soolt
found, and short time afterWard
two of his children arrived, the oldest
one, Brucie, beautiful little girl Of
about ten years of age, and the other q
boy of five or six years. Upon hearing
the news of the terrible affair,
Mrs. Bourne went directly to the
house of Captain Metzler, the
father of Mr.. Metzler. While there sid
met your correspondent. She stated
that Bourne had sent for her, and that
she had sent her children, and asked
what she had better do. She was ad,
vised to go to her husband, by all means
and Mrs. Metzler, the mother of jim
NJ tzIer, also told her she should most
certainly go to him.
BOURNE DEAD.
Captain Bourne died at five O'Clock last
evening at the La Madrid House, where
he had been taken, without seeing his
wife he loved to deatH 1t was apitiable
and touching sight to Witness CaptaAE
Bourne's two Little children sitting on
the floor by the side OF their dying father.
The sympathy of the entire community ID
undoubtedly with Captain Bourne.
Mrs. Bourne was formerly Miss Mary
L. Mabin, of this county, and married
Captain Bourne shortly after the war.
Captain Bourne has been Chancery
Gers of this county, and has occupied
other high official positions.
METZLER'S WOUND.
After the shooting Metzler was ar
rested, bat when found to be badly hurt
was conveyed to the residence of his
father. The bali which is thought to
have made the mortal wound, was ex-
tracted from the body OF Metzler.
At 6 p. m, physicians stated that he
could not live thu ough the night.