The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-20
STORY OF TWO DUELS.
A Sword Thrust, a Bullet Wound snc
an Extraordinary Sequel.

A Sword Thrust, a Bullet Wound and
an Extraordinary Sequel.
When dueling was an actual factor
in the social order of this country it
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
crumb bling tombstone In the antiquat-
ed creole cemeteries bears grim and
silent witness to the fact. though to
understand the situation more clearly
one should breathe. so to speak, the
atmosphere of the period.
NJ 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 &C
ton was present and each was sure
that a deadly meeting would certainly
follow. They rode together in a 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 I'M
der the stress of what he regarded as
a grievous proyocation-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 d'arret |
Sudden pause. judiciously interpolat- |
ed into a vicious lunge of Grailhe's, |
he pierced him through the chest. |
Grailhe, with one of his lungs per-
forated, remained for a long time hoy
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 |
be reached-surgery then was not what |
= t. ~ Il -
saving him. Some time after he had |
been up and about a 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 a 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 I'M
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
4 marble statue, advanced to the ut
most limit marked out, when Grailhe, II
who was suffering greatly, exclaimed:
Fire again. You have another shot"
With grave dignity Marigny raised
lis pistol above his head and fired into
he air. saying with frigid politeness,
I never strike a fallen foe.n
More dead than alive, the stricken
luelist was carried home by his friends
Ind consigned to the care of his ply
but. instead of sinking rapidly,
Is was expected, he really began to
mend and by the following morning
vas much improved. The ball had
to the abscess which had
threatened his life and made an exit
or its poisonous accumulat ions Some
ime afterward he walked out of his
DOM as erect as ever and soon re-
gained his health and stately bearing.
Magazine.