The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-26
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THE MARQUIS DIE MOkES

Montanians are always interested in
tho doings OF their Granville fellow citi-
zen, the marquis do Mores. They recall
him AZ one Of the most picturesque
memories Of the state. "A few years ago
with the backing OF a large fortune and
accompanied by a wife who was quite as
interesting, he came to eastern Mon
tana and embarked in the cattle bust,
ness. III the incidents Of his brief career
in this state could be gathered a most
entertaining book would be made. He
was a tall, finely built and handsome
Frenchman, possessed Of many promi.
nent characteristics OF his race. He is
described as generous to the degree Of
prodigality, warm hearted and quick
tempered. He will fight 'at the drop Of
the hat" and will brook no insult. On
n occasion he shot a cowboy aud came
near getting into serious trouble. But
despite his faults the marquis was a
pretty good fellow and was exceedingly
popular among the people OF a charac-
t~eristic frontier town, who like a man
possessed of fighting qualities and yet
ready to do a generous act. Besides
these the marquis was finely educated
and a brilliant conversationalist, thor
oughly interesting from any point
OF view. He made a sad failure of the
cattle and beef packing business, partly
because he was inexperienced in either
and partly because his ideas were too
far advanced for the country. A series
Of vacant but expensive buildings and a
pretty little residence at Meaora are the
only relics left of the meteorio career Of
this eccentric French nobleman.
His subsequent career in France has
been quite as interesting. He has Of
late given his entire attention to the
progress Of socialism and is under the
ban of the French government. The in
.heritance Of a noble name that races
it's lineage far back into the early his
tory OF France, a magnificent fortune,
and in fact all things that should make
him %contented.. are seemingly Of no at
traction. He is a restless spirit never
at ease unless engaged in some sort of
contest. The domination OF the red flag
OF socialism is just now the goal Of his
m~isdirected ambition.
The latest incident in this mans his
tory is likely to lead to serious results.
A great part of his reputation has been
gained through his remarkable success
as a duellist, though it may be said in
this connection that he does not belong
to that class of kid glove fighters who
satisfy their SO called honor by exchang-
ing shots in the air or the harmless pas
sage OF swords. When he goes out to
the field with a man he goes to fight, as
the g%raveyards can testify. 1t has been
frequently charged that in order to dis
pose OF a political or social enemy he in
duces him to fight and then kills him
1t appears from the last account that
with pp provocation he offered an insult
to Cal in Mayer, Of the French army,
by casting a reflection on the Jewish
race. The captain was killed and what
is very unusual in France, his duellist
opponent was arrested on the charge OF
murder. Considering the efforts of the
French government to suppress social
ism we look to see heavy punishment
melted out to the marquis and his disap-
pearance from the class of sensational
lists Of which he has been the leader.
What is still better, it may result in a
duelling law the enforcement of which
will remove a barbarous curse to society
in a region where it most 1ourishes.