Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-10
STORY OF TWO DuELs.
A Sword Thrust, Bullet Wound ard
an Extraordinary SEQUEL.


When dueling was an actual factor
in the social order of this country 1t
had many worthy and notable expo
nents, including no less distinguished
personages than Henry Clay, Andrew
Jackson, Alexander Hamilton, De Witt
Clinton, Stephen Decatur and others
of the same type, but nowhere on this
continent was it so much an establish
ed institution as in that peculiarly ro-
mantle old city of, New Orleans. 1t
was woven into the very fabric of the
life of the community, and many a
crumbling tombstone in the antiquat-
ed creole cemeteries bears grim and
silent witness to the fact, though to
understand thee situation more clearly
one should breathe, so to speak, the
atmosphere of the period.
M. Augustin, who afterward became
district judge and general Of the
Louisiana legion, was the victor in
several encounters in which the tenn
per of the period caused him to be en-
gagged. One in particular is note
worthy on account Of the part 1t play
ed in an extraordinary freak Of for
tune. Alexander Grailhe was the Of
Tending party, though the insult, or.
rather, provocation, for gentlemen sell
dom insulted, would in this day be Of
scant concern. But some cause of ac-
ton was present, and each was sure
that deadly meeting would certainly
follow. They rode together in car
riage with ladies, who, after the duel,
commented on their mutual affability
during the entire trip, which only
serves to show how delicately adjust
ed was the code of etiquette, especial
ly in the presence Of ladies.
They fought at The Oaks, and as
soon as the weapons had been crossed
and the impressive "Allez, messieurs,"
pronounced Grailhe, who was high
strung and hot blooded-doubly SO un-
der the stress of what he regarded as
grievOus provocation-lost his tenn
per and furiously charged his antago-
mist. Augustin, on the contrary, was
cool, collected and agile, parrying each
savage thrust until by temps darret
Sudden pause, judiciously interpolat-
ed into vicious lunge of Grailhe's,
he pierced him through the chest
Grailhe, with one of his lungs per-
forated, remained for long time how
ering between life and death, and when
at last he did come out of his room
he was bowed like an octogenarian.
1t was now only a question of time
for the wounded man, as an internal
abscess had formed where it could not
be reached-surgery then was not what
1t Is now--and the doctors despaired Of
saving him. Some time after he had
been up and about quarrel with Colo
mel Vaudeville de Marigny resulted in
his challenging that distinguished citi-
zen. This duel was also fought at The
Oaks, but as Grailhe was too weak to
do himself justice with sword the
weapons chosen were pistols, at fifteen
PAGES, each to have two shots, advance
five PAGES and fire at will. At the
first shot, fired simultaneously, the un-
fortunate man fell forward, pierced
by his adversary's bullet, which had
entered the exact place Of his former
and yet unhealed wound. Marigny,
with pistol In hand and as placid as
a marble statue, advanced to the ut
most limit marked out, when Grailhe,
who was suffering greatly, exclaimed:
Fire again. You have another shot"
With grave dignity Marigny raised
his pistol above his head and fired into
the air, saying with frigid politepess,
II never strike fallen foe."
More dead than alive, the stricken
duelist was carried home by his friends
and consigned to the care Of his ply
sicians; but. instead of sinking rapidly,
as was expected, he really began to
mend and by the following morning
was much improved The ball had
penetrated to the abscess which had
threatened his life and made an exit
for Its poisonous Accommodations. Some
time afterward he walked out Of his
room as erect as ever and soon re-
gained his health and stately bearing
Century Magazine.
-------- -.