Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-12
nun nrr1. srI1n LIVES.
| Remarkable Combat Between Count
ana a Journalist on the BOis de BOu-

down TO the coryphees of the opera, is
now eagerly discussing the merits OF, per-
bans one of the most remarkable duels
tbat has ever taken place in Europe,
which came off at the fashionable hour OF
the afternoon promenade in the B0ls de
RonIogne. in the presence OF nearly lOO
snectators. among whom were two pho
.t6oranhers with instruments, taking pnO-
Last week an article appeared in the
Erenenlent, OF which paper M. Edouaru
Magnier acts as editor, concerning the
amusement of the gilded youth OF the day.
The article, which was signed by M.
Descharrnes, mentioned the name OF the
Comte de Dion. Last Friday, in conse-
uuence OF this article, duel with swords
was fought in the Bots de BOulogne De-
tween the Comte de Dion and NJ. Mag
snier. A proces-verbal record of this duel,
kigned by the seconds of the Comte de
Dion, but not signed by the seconds OF NJ.
hiagnier, contained statements OF most
startling nature. AS this prOces-verbal
has been given prominence to by
HE French press, there can be no
Aarm in stating the following,
&hich forms one of the eXtTaOr-
binary passages: cat the third pass
Al. Magnier, finding himself driven
4gainst landau, turned his back on his
4dyersary, and started of at run. he
IN this manner described a circle of
bout 100 metres around tree, always
8nrsued by the COmte de Dion, sword IN
Mnd. Despite this incident, NJ. de Dion
xhnsented to resume the encounter, and
IL. Magnier had his right forearm pierced
81 sword thrust at the second pass"
lie next day jury of honor was sum-
MDned, at NJ Magnier's desire, to judge
Ne entire case. The jury OF honor deci-
ed that the opinion and Judgment of the
secOnds alone we're competent, and that
ne Jury was not qualified to give decis-
M. Magnier, the bright and witty direc-
Mf OF the EUe1ement, is small, slightly
and elegantly built, with dark hair, and
quick, intelligent eyes. He Is considered
one of the most expert handlers OF the
fieuret in Partisan journalism. 81. Mag
nier is upon intimate terms with NJ. Will
son, the son-in-law Of the President of the
Republic, and is an assiduOus frequenter
of the Sunday morning fencing parties
given by NJ. Jules Greyy, at the Elysee
Palace-the White House of France
which are so popularly attended. Nj. Mag
snier said: "This is the first duel L ever
Fought in my life. 1t was arranged that
tbe COmte de Dion and / were to fight at
2:30 on Friday afternoon in the Bots de
BOulogne behind the race course. The pO-
lice were, however, too numerous, so we
Started off to the hippodrOme at Auteuil;
but the police were there also. We
then drove all through the BOis de BOu-
#lOgne, seeking after solitude. Finally we
Hound a suitable spot, and the combat be-
gan. The Comte de Dion attacked with
violence. My seconds feared an accident,
on account Of tue declivity of the gravel
Sidewalk, which ran parallel with the
main road. We were afterWard placed
on the main road itself, at a point Of in
HiersectiOn with a small roadway. At the
cross roads were our two landaus and
CAB, altogether five horses and three
coachmen. Many prOmenaders in the
Bots subsequently happened to pass by,
and they stopped and watched the pro-
*ceedings. At this moment the second
part of the combat begau. The
&e0mte de DiOn's plan was, by means
or a vote, to jam me into the car
riages. / nevertheless continued to fight
with the most absolute regularity, when
a casual lOOker-on cried suddenly: Scare
Gu6 UOiJureSP At this cry found that
carriage was about to come into contact
with my back. To avoid this l sprang
into neighbOring lawn. The COmte de
Dion sprang on to the lawn at the same
instant. The ground was sloping, and the
declivity exposed me to fall. 1t was on
this account that could not walk back
ward. l consequently strobe % or 80 me-
tres-nOt mOTe-and reached the level
portion of the lawn. The seconds, who
followed us in the midst of the confusion,
fight and tumult of far too noisy and too
numerous crowd of spectators, came
up and told US to stop fighting.
Neither of us protested. We were
placed en- garde again, and the COM
bat began with eager ferocity three sep
arate times, and lasted % minutes. l was
then wounded in my right forearm. The
surgeon declared that l was no longer IN
q condition TO continue the combat. Ny
wound was dressed, and while this was
being done the COmte advanced toward
me and offered me his hand, which | ac-
.cepted. COmte de Dlon's seconds, NJ. NJ.
sIhOmegeux and Legraud, advanced also
and shook hands with me. NJ. Thome-
geuXcOngratuatedm me upon having fought
well. We raised our hats to each other
and returned to Paris. Such is the exact
story OF my encounter with the COmte de
Dion.
Unfortunately, NJ. Ranez, my senior
second, neglected to draw up the process
verbal on the spot. Immediately after
the combat, at 10 O'Clock in the evening,
my seconds went TO NJ. Legrand's house
10 draw up the process verbal. The
COmte de Dion then exhibited a prOjet
iensiye. This offensive document was
Selgned by the Compile de Dlon's seconds,
put my seconds Loyalty refused TO sign it.
ls an extraordinary document, so
unique Ia the annals of duelling that sew
raj OF the Paris papers, anxious to please
me Comte de Dion and his friends rather
nan a contrere OF the press, FASTENED to
publish it,"
The Comte de Dion is slender and 1.-the,
ieet IN height. and remarkably good
posing. The COmte said: Certainly, l
thall be delighted TO tell you all about it.
was very remarkable duel. AS soon
N we were placed en- garde, and the word
Allez messieurs,' was given, | attacked
py adversary with energy. He began at
4nce TO rompre. lie drew back and drew
nack, and always drew back, getting con-
sanity beyond the reach of my sword. He
Wcked some distance down the fOOtpath
q which we began the combat, until we
Wund ourselves in the main road. AS the
packing tactics were continued, ] ma
MuYred 20 as TO force him 20 back into a
~ heap OF sand at the intersection OF the
lptpath aud main road, but he swerved
~ the right, and, In consequence, he got
lacked into the carriages that were wait
tK quietly by the ROADSIDE. When his
r4ck came in contact with one OF the car
fRges he started OF to a neighbOring
t#Wp. After an intermission the combat
Mls renewed, when ! managed 10 engage
IN NJ. MaRnier, and be was wounded In
% arm. 10 was a very remarkable duel"
NJ. Paul de Cassagnac, the experienced
A III 81 NfsFf aH