The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-03-19
A BLOOD-STAINED LEAF.
e Kept Alive the Memory Of Two
Fatal Duels.

Fatal Duels.
Two fatal duels fought within . few
months of each other on the same spot
The life-blood of two men staining lit
lie shrub, which, too, was Slapped to
death-are the bases Of . story as true
as it is hideously romantic. Every one
who was in New Orleans in the summer
Of 1872, and is still living, must remem-
Der the Rhett- Cooley duel. Judge
Cooley resigned his position as Judge
In one Of the courts of the Parish Of Or
leans to challenge and fight 3. B. Rhett,
then editor of the New Orleans Rcsyane.
Colonel Rhett had published an ex-
tremely abusive article, impugning the
Judges motives and viciously assaulting
his character. The duel was arranged,
and Bay ST. Louis, Miss, on the other
hide Of Pearl River. fifty-two miles from
New Orleans, was selected as the ground.
Il is unnecessary to mention the names
of those who witnessed the said affair;
one, in addition to the principals, will
be sufficient to explain the remarkable
condolences Of which this "Reminiscences
treats.
Carson Nudge was at that time the
most prominent dealer in guns and
sportsman's materials in the Crescent
City. He was known by all sportsmen
and liked. The weapons selected were
uble-barreled shotguns loaded with
ball. The manner of loading the gun is
nm important factor when accuracy ID
desired, As every sportsmAn knows. Mr..
ut the earnest solicitation Of the seconds.
He had performed similar favors before,
but up to that time the arm Of his man
had not been Is true, nor the intention
~ deadly, IS those which characterized
and governed Colonel Rhett It was to
Be duel rontrance, and Mr.. Nudge
did his best
Two parties of men left New Orleans
on an early train for the bay, and ar
rived at about ten o'clock. Carriages
were taken to Nicholson avenue . broad
lane running from the edge of the Mis-
sissippi Sound to the railroad, : mile
distant. Just half way from the railroad
track forty yards were stepped OF and
the positions drawn. Colonel Rhett' g
two seconds stood over Nudge as he
carefully measured the powder, weighed
the ball and wrapped it in q small piece Of
cloth, until the leaden missile had grown
with it, covering to size to tightly fit
the bore. Il Was driven home, few mo-
ments sitter the same operation had been
performed among the little cluster of
anxious men who Stood scross the lane.
Tho principals parted with the surgeons
with whom they had been speaking, and
Were led to their places. Both men
stood erect, their faces showing deter
mination, deadly hatred, but no fear.
Facing Colonel Rhett were orange
trees lust beginning to bad. and in front
Of Judge Cooley was long row Of OLE
anders, whose blushes contrasted
strongly with the spotlees white Cape
jasminos that alternated with the aaacias
dotting the rear ct large, inclosed gar
den.
The Sound lay in limitless space on
Tie go, cleaning like polished brass in
the dancing rays 81 the sun. The bar-
rels 1t the shotguns, too, were gleam-
ing, bat the glints were the smiles q .
Nephisto.
The mocking birds were still singing
their morning welcomes to the bfi9hf
day when the word was given:
..Are you readyl'
he two men nodded assent.
ssRirel One, two"
Ihe reports were almost simultane-
90. and tho duel was over.