The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-23
Nestor lie Marie, Master of the FOils,
VIII Establish School of Fence
This Winter.
FRENCH SOLDIER AND DUELIST
HE BELIEVES FENCING FINEST EX.
ERCIsE IN THE WORLD.
Boxing Is Looked Upon with Scorn by
Him, His Experience Having Been
Rather Dfscouraging.

There is to be a revival of interest in the
noble art of fencing, this winter in In
dianapolis Gen. w. ]. Mckee, command
ing the Indiana National Guard, skillful
fencer himself, and an enthusiast on the
subject, will interest his young officers
partially on the theory that every officer
should know how to handle a sword as
well as wear one.
Nestor lie Marie, a manufacturer of car
pets, at 211 East Minnesota street. is one
of the most expert fencing masters in the
United States. NJ. lie Marie will organize
classes as soon as possible this winter.
He is now looking for a suitable room
near the center of the city where his
prospective pupils may exercise Saturday
he discussed his plans with General Nc
Kee, at the home of the latter. and in
the dancing room the former French soldier
and the Indiana soldier had spirited bout
with the foils.
OF late years NJ lie Marie has been too
busy weaving carpets to devote much time
to the foils. but he believes that there is
now enough interest in fencing in Indian
apolis to warrant the organization of
classes. General Mckee has promised his
cooperation. The general will endeavor
to work up interest among the officers of
Nine years ago NJ. lie Marie conducted
class at the Propylaeum. At that time
General Mckee invited a number of his
officers to meet twice a week at his house
to receive instruction from the little
Frenchman. The clash Of swords and the
stamp stamp, stamp of nervous feet were
often heard at that time in General Nc.
KEGS house. lie Marie and the general
frequently had exciting passages at arms.
AN OLD SOLDIER.
Nestor lie Marie is a short. 1.-THE man.
with a curling dark mustache, a bright,
sharp eye that watches an opponent as a
cat does a bird. He was formely maitre
d'arms in the Belgian army, and has
fought his duels and carried his honorable
scars He was born near Sedan. His
playground was the wonderful fortress of
Sedan. LIE Marie was back in sight of the
old fortress again when the French army
surrendered to the Prussians. LIE Marie
army of Belgium as volunteer. 1T was
a hard work to climb up from the ranks
he said, but with quick hand and a
sharp eye one can dO-ah! anything.
He tells of his rise to corporal, to second
sergeant, first sergeant. sergeant major.
and then lieutenant of ordnance and maitre
d arms of the regiment II teach the Off
GERS how to use their swords" he said,
land though / was only a lieutenant of
ordnance. 1 could take their swords away
from them when 1 pleased
lie Marie is excessively polite and won
derfully reticent He will hardly talk
about himself. He has seen many of the
Frenchmen of note, and the name of Bou-
| LANCER casually mentioned, sent him off on
| the subject of dueling.
"Boulanger. Ah-he could fight not. In
| re leetle affair with Monsieur Floquet, BAH
| it was absurd They fought in ze-wat
| you call re suburbs de Paris. Re men
were placed tres ben by the seconds but,
mon Dieu, that Boulanger he open himself.
| He point re elbow wrong, and Floquet he
| give feint trois and re lunge in carte,
and looki mon ami, Boulanger got re point
| in his throat. He was no swordsman."
LIE Marie claims that fencing is the best
exercise in the world. He has no use for
| boxing He says: 1T is not to be under
stood. tried him once. 1 put on 20 gloves
| and stood in front of re man. He moved
| his hands up, down, sideways. this way
/ then that way. By and by see what, in
| fencing, call an opening, and 1 steI
! forward and try to strike him. Mon Dieu
He give what you call one uppercut. and
was finished for the night Boxing is nc
| good