Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-09-11
new ORLEANS DUELS
BLOODY BATTLES IN THE DAYS
OF OLD.
HONOR WAS SENSITIVE
Lives Sacrificed for the Most Trivial
Causes-One Veteran Duelist Was
Killed by Boy of 1e-Antagon-
lists Both Perish in Another
Case.

\ small party of old-time swords
men, gentlemen Of the code, all of
whom had appeared on the field
number of times during their lives,
CHANGED to meet in a downtown cafe
| one night the past week, says the New
Orleans Picayune Among them was
Mr.. F. R. Tanneret, who is remem-
bered by the old school for duel at
Burthe's plantation with short swords.
Reference was made to some recent
personal controversies serving as
! reminder for skeleton stories:
For originality of cause and origin
the Montiague-Lalluet duel deserves
first place among my personal recol-
/ lections," remarked Mr.. Tanneret,
leading the conversation. "One was
barber; the other was a duelist OF
rare skill. Although barber, Month
ague was one of the most original
fellows on earth, and he was ever
doing what he wasn't expected to do.
He had shop on Royal street and
his place was frequented by the best
of the downtown population. Lalluet
was duelist who had been on the
field many times. Both were brave
| men.
Zone morning Lalluet walked into
! Montiagues shop to get shaved. He
took the chair in the best humor, and
the shave was progressing, when he
| suddenly took offense at something
Montague did A quarrel was picked
and the challenge was passed before
Lalluet had left the chair. It was the
talk Of the street
"The situation was unusual, but the
fight went. Colichmardes were chosen
as weapons. They are the small tri
| angular swords, which have the shape
of bayonet.
when it came to the meeting Mon
tiague had no money to pay for car
riage, and he was plucky enough to
walk to the field. His seconds had to
provide their own conveyance. In the
encounter the barber was slightly
wounded and the duel ended.
81 remember the Nora-Dauphin
duel, said one of Mr.. Tanneret's COM
panions. cit was noted for two
things-the killing of one of the most
distinguished of duelists, and that he
had a presentiment of his fate before
he went to the field of honor. A quar-
rel between Nora and Dauphin took
place at the old Orleans coffee house
in Orleans street. 1t was the rendez-
vous of the jeunesse doree of the
Il,
young bloods. The resort was between
Royal and Bourbon streets. In sum-
mer a canvas was stretched over the
street, and, with small tables cover
ing the Enclosure, the place was a
:. typical French Creole coffee house.
I'm the trouble, which occurred over
table, Dauphin slapped Nora. The
latter was mere boy 10 years of age
He was quiet and dignified. He never
said word unless spoken to and was
the last man to make trouble. Dauphin
was quite the reverse. He was a
duelist Of long reputation. He had
been in many fights. He told Nora to
choose between getting out of the door
or the window, meaning that if he did
not leave he would be thrown out
Dauphin declared that he had killed
II men and he wanted the twelfth to
make his dozen.
Hunting guns were chosen as
weapons. The spot was selected. but
the night before the duel Dauphin
with his II trophies in his belt. had
strange presentiment. 1t was not a
dream, but it came to him as a vision
and told him that he was fighting his
last duel. He told his seconds the fol-
lowing morning Of the queer circum-
stance, and they laughed at him-the
brave Dauphin,
The light took place and Dauphin
was killed. Nora proved to be one of
the most formidable duelists.
THE LIE Blanc-White duel was
case where right and justice seemed
to triumph in the outcome" added
Mr.. Tanneret. "Packenham LIE Blanc
and George White were both well
known. Both were prominent in So
clety, and this duel grew out of a sub |
scrlpt1on ball in which some gossin |
played the fatal role There was q |
discussion in the committee over the |
barring of some person from the hall
and the refusal of al invitation. lie I
Blanc interested himself and White
oe1rlended him throughout before the
committee, but he did not know it. On
the contrary, he got the idea that
Whlte was responsible for his embar-
rassment and the consequent ts15
upon meeting White in the street
lie Blanc took wad of tobacco from
MS mouth and threw it into Whites
race The challenge was passed. and
pistols were chosen. They met at
bufthes plantation, above Carrol1ton
ana LIE Blanc was killed by the first
shot
A rare example Of the trivial causes
leadlng to some of the duels of those
days is lnstanced in the De BUYS Cir
ara night, well known among the gen.
-l9hlen OF the code. John De Buys was
IN Royal street, at one Of the inter 7
'ectlns streets. A young man. just
over from France, whom he knew.
came up as De Buys dropped a coin
n the gutter. In an insolent over !
bearing tone, he told the new arrival r
10 pick up the money, and instead he +
bounced upon De Buys and gave him Z
p severe beating.
The two met on the field. and If {
.roI l