St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-23
NEITHER IN DANCER.
NJ M. Clemenceau and DerOu-
lede Meet on the Field OF
Honor.
Each Kissed and Embraced
His Friends Before the
Meeting.
Three Shots We're Fired, but
Neither Principal Was
Winged.
Spectators and Seconds Real
ly Occupy the Posts Of

Saussler the military governor of Paris,
refused to act as an arbitrator between
NJ. Deroulede and M. Clemenceau, and
no resource seemed left but for the two
deputies to meet each other upon the
field of honor. Upon Gen. Saussier de-
clining to have anything TO do with the
affair, Nj. DeslaineS was appealed to,
and he decided that NJ. Deroulede and
NJ. Clemenceau should have an OppOr-
tunity to take six shots at each other.
The proposition to come as near as five
PAGES he considered too murderouS, so
he held that the combatants should be
placed twenty-five PAGES apart, with the
privilege of advancing three steps dur
ing the firing. The one that happened
to be perforated first to have an opp0r-
tunity of stating, if he was able, whether
his honor was sufficiently satisfied. If
not, then the firing was to continue
until the six shots, or the combatants,
were exhausted.
As soon as the decision had been de
livered, providing the terms Oh which
the duel should be fought, Clemenceau
and Deroulede made preparations for
the encounter.
The Parting
between Deroulede and his friends on
the battle ground was very affecting.
He embraced and kissed them repeat
edly, and assured them that he would
die in a manner worthy OF the Legion OF
Honor. When one of his friends ex-
pressed hope that the encounter would
n a f.,fa hnrnnInnn Chnnly
his head mOurnfully. He fully eX-
pected, he said, to lose his life. but had
no regrets to express for what he had
uttered He allowed his friends to
divide few locks of his hair between
them, and then stepped into cab with
his seconds and was driven rapidly to-
ward the new race course at st. Ouen.
Meantime NJ. Clemenceau, who is said
to have spent the morning with Mime.
Delchemberg, prepared to go TO the
scene of mortal combat. lie gave direc-
tionS as usual about La Justice, and
left orders as to the management of the
paper in the event of any fatality occur
ring to him. The staff crowded around
their chief. and he kissed and embraced
them each in turn, while some of them
shed tears and begged him not to expose
himself to more danger than necessary.
M. Clemenceau gently rebuked these
advisors. II have stood on the field of
honor too often," he remarked, ''tO have
any apprehension now" He said he
Preferred Death to DIshOnOr,
and spoke III tone of resolution that
evoked the admiration of his assistants.
Nj. Clemenceau was also driven to st.
Ouen, his cab being followed by other
cabs containing newspaper reporters for
various papers.
The two parties returned to the pad
sdock of the st. Ouen race track and pre-
paratiOnS were at once made for the en-
counter. The seconds measured off the
twenty-five PAGES, and the surgeon Who
accompanied the party. produced a case
of instruments, ready for immediate use
in probing for bullets. The two an
tagonists were pale, but showed no sign
of weakening. Nj. Deroulede kept his
eye on the loading Of the pistols. while
M. Clemenceau walked about in the
paddock waiting for the word. The
pistols having been loaded in manner
satisfactory to both seconds, the princi-
pals were told to take position. They
faced each other without apparent emo
ton and received the weapons from the
hands of their seconds. At the word
fire. both pistols were discharged
almost simultaneously. The bullets
flew wide off the mark and a spectator
climbed hastily down from the paddock
fence on which he had been perched.
The spectator proved to be unhurt. SO
were the duellists. The seconds and
witnesses moved a little farther off be
fore the second round. Again the COM
batantS
Elevated Their Weapons
and blazed away This time it was evil
dent that the shots had gone high.
Neither was hurt NJ. Clemenceau
cooIly raised his weapon again. A
friend rushed forward and expressed
hope that the combatants would con-
slider their honor satisfied, and cease
the murderOus encounter. Both de-
clared that they must have another shot.
and the solicitOus friend hastily retired
to distance. Again the pistols were
raised, andtw puffs of smoke told that
two bullets had started on their
deadly mission. No harm was done,
although NJ. DerOulede examined
corner of his coat with the ap-
ppearance of apprehension. but was re-
lieved on discovering it undamaged.
The two seconds then ran up and insist
ed that the duel must terminate; that
both had behaved in a most heroic
manner, that any outrage upon honor
had been fully vindcated. NM. M.Clemen-
ceau and Deroulede consented to ac-
cept the decision, and the combat came
to a close. The two dueists were
overwhelmed with congratulations on
the courage and GOODNESS they both had
exhibited on the trying occasion, and
were escorted back by crowds of admir-
ers. The incident is believed to have
terminated for the present.
The duel arranged between Deputy
Millevoye and Deputy Clemenceau, in
consequence of the insults exchanged
during the debate of Tuesday, is not
likely to be fought. BY mutual consent
the affair has been referred TO court OF
arbitration.