Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-03-18
TO THE DEATH.


An Impromptu Duel In New Orleans
which Resulted Fatally to Both Partici-
pants--The AFFAIR the Outcome of Dis
paraging Remark Over an Admiralty Suit
In the United states District Court.
NEW ORLEANS, March IA des.
perate duel or shooting ARRAY, occurred
yesterday in the clerks Office OF the
United States District Court, in the
Custom-house, in which one of the princi-
nails was killed and the other MORALLY
wounded. Both of them are we'll
known men. Mr.. M. E. Grace was a
Young lawyer who has been the Inspec-
tor of Customs, and j. NJ. Brou has been
for years one of the most conspicuous
men in the steamboat business. Mr..
Grace, who had an admiralty suit be fore
the United States District Court was
seated in the private or inner office of
the clerk when Brou entered. The suit
happened to be against friend of Brou's
and the latter had interested himself in it.
Stepping up to Grace he said: "You
ought to be more of gentleman than to
taKe case like that" Grace sprung from
his seat, declaring he was as much OF
gentleman and as good man as Brou.
The latter then struck him across the face
with a light cane he carried, whereupon
Grace drew his revolver and fired
at Brou, the ball causing mortal
wound. Brou staggered, but did not re-
treat step. Again he lifted his cane and
struck Grace across the face. Grace re-
piled with second shot which struck
Brou on the chest; indeed, it was almost
impossible to miss him as the two stood
within few feet of each other. BY this
time Brou had got out his pistol and
number of shots were fired, the two men
facing each other resolutely. When
Grace's pistol refused to fire, he turned
and ran toward the door as though to
escape from the room. There were
number of persons in the room
when the firing began. but these
had scattered at the first shot, and the
door, which had spring lock, was then
locked on the two men. Grace ran into
the outer room to escape, pursued by
Brou, who struck him over the head with
the butt of his pistol He tried the other
door. but found it also locked. This was
the last of the fight seen by the outsiders,
for the two men were left shut up in the
room together, with all the doors spring.
locked. Another shot was heard and
then silence reigned within. The crowd
without waited few seconds and then
entered the room. The two men lay
on the floor close together, Grace stark
dead at the door, which he had been try
ing to open, and Brou insensible and
MORALLY wounded in the center of the
room. Their fire had been wonderfully
accurate. Every one of Grace's bullets
had taken effect. one entering Brou's
face, penetrating from cheek to cheek.
another passing through his back and
lodging in the abdominal cavity, and the
third penetrating the right lung. Grace
was shot through the arm and twice in
the chest. Most of the shots were fired
while the men were standing face to face
and with their pistols almost touching
each others breasts.
Grace was thirty years of age, very
popular, and enjoyed a good practice.
Brou had been the agent of the French
opera here, and was in various steamboat
enterprises. He is creole, thirty-siX
years of age. He was regarded as dam
gerous man to quarrel with, having been
the principal in several duels, and last
year in duel with Mr.. Evanste, whom
he wounded. Brou was a married man.