St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-14
UOT-HEADFD FRENCHMEN.
SOCIETY LEADERS IN ST. PAUL FIGHT A DUEL
OVER A WOMAN.

SOCIETY LEADERS IN ST. PAUL FIGHT \ DUEL
OVER WOMAN.
ST PAUL, Mimi, Jan. IL Special. lit
has Just come TO light that in secluded spot
not MANY yards from the main highway which
leads from st. Paul 10 Fort Smelling one
night last week, two prominent members OF
French society settled little unpleasantness
by a duel The names of the parties are Jean
ST Hilare and Capt. Peitriff. The facts were
learned from a second of one of the duelists.
There is woman i'll the case. She holds
high place of respect and esteem among her
acduaintances, and her character is ire.
preached and irreproachable. She stands
pre-eminent in the ranks OF virtue. and nat
urally any expression relative to her dis
honor would be resented by her friends.
While a party Of Frenohmen were drinking
IN the Bodega one night last week a young
French-Canadian so far forgot. himself as to
speak disrespectfully of her. and for his pains
he was rebuked by the captain at the festive
board. The latter, who, by the way, is
recent arrival from sunny France and
who had served with valor and gallantry
in the army of that country. struck
the young Canadian, and the result was
challenge to mortal combat. Pistols and cof-
fee at sunrise were suggested, but swords
were finally agreed upon. Seconds were
chosen from among the little group of
Frenchmen. the services of French physl-
elan of ST. PXul were secured, carriages were
called. and soon the duelists and their
friends were being hurriedly conveyed to-
wards Fort Smelling. Everything was ar
ranged without fuss or Excitement and even
the eagle-eyed policemen did not ''catch on"
A lone spot about hundred yards from the
road, with no signs of a habitation in the i'm
mediate vicinity. was selected as the battle
ground and the dueliStS lost no time in pre-
pairing for the ARRAY. They came together,
and the glittering steel flashed in the moon
light. A few seconds of exciting guard
work and blood spurted from the right arm
of the army officer just below the elbow.
Still he fought on, and disregarded the coun-
sci of his second to cease. His wound only
aXaSperaTed him the more, and, rushing on
his adversary, he drove his sword several
Inches into the left side of the latter who
fell bleeding TO the ground. This act was the
final one, and the services OF the physician
were called for. Though severe, the wound
of the young Canadian was not fatal, and he
was Immediately removed to his home. where
he is recovering. French society is very
much agitated over the affair, and LIE Cana
dien will publish full account OF it to-
morrow.
FACTS IN THE CASE.
Now what are the facts in the case?
The substance of that story, with
names omitted, has been put in the
waste basket of every newspaper in st.
Paul. except the one that published it
recently, at least twice. Last June or
July young man who spoke bad Eng
fish came to the GLOBE with it. He
said he wanted it printed in the GLOBE.
tie cOulu not OF WOulQ uOI give Iue
names of the participants. He gave the
alleged name of a man who could tell
all about it, but half dozen visits by a
GLOBE reporter revealed the fact that
no such person was to be found
at the place indicated. So the
story. despite its blood spurts"
and ''lone spots" was put into the
waste basket. Again the young man
with the French accent came and
wanted the story printed, but would
not allow his own or any other name to
be used. Then the Dispatch was inter
viewed, but had no use for duels where
the participants names were left out.
There might have been scrap of
some kind last June, but it isn't right to
tear the Eastern communities all up
with the horrible details, putting the
swords in the hands of people who have
not yet been bOrn.. People who are not
yet on earth are not social leaders, and
besides. what happens in June should
be printed not later than Aug. l, if it is
to be claSsed as news, or it might be
proper to wait until the anniversary
cplahratiou