The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-03
COUNT BON| SP|TS
IN PRINCES FACE
The Two Cousins Have a Rough
and Tumble Fight
BOTH FIGHTERS ARRESTED
DUE Was Expected To Follow, But
Suit Instituted BY Prince Desagan
- Precludes Challenge BY
Either One.
BOTH FIGHTERS ARRESTED

Paris, January Count Boni De
Miss Anna Gould of New York. was
recently divorced, and Prince Helie De
Sagan, who on several occasions was
reported to be engaged to Madame
Gould, had a personal encounter today
at the church of St. Pierre De Chaillot,
while service to the memory of Lady
Stanley Errington, relative of both
men, who died lately in England, was
IL progress. Beginning inside the
church, where Count Boni says the
prince insulted both him and the
sacred ediflce, the encounter was re-
sumed at the doorway where Count
iooni, followed by his brother, Count
Jean De Castellane, overlook the
prince. Count Boni spat in his cousins
face. Then came the clash Of canes
followed by rough and tumble fight on
the pavement, which ended in the gut
ter where the men were separated by
big butcher. Count Boni at the mo-
lnent OF Intervention was holding dove
the well nigh insensible prince, while
Jean, according to eye witnesses, was
When the police arrived the butcher
was holding the two principals in the
fight who were covered with mud Tie
prince was bleeding profusely from a
wound in the right temple where he
had been hit by Count Bonfs heavy
stick. With the butchers hand on his
collar, Boni was telling a crowd which
had gath cred, as to why he had spat
in the princes face when the police
arrived.
Followed by several thousand people,
they were taken to the station where
they made explanations
Both Count Boni and the Prince gave
their own version of the quarrel, each
claiming that the other was the aggres-
sor, but the Prince alone lodged a COM
plaint, charging the brothers with as
sault.
A process verbal having been written
out, according to the French law, the
three men signed it and then were re-
leased. The case now will go before the
public prosecutor, who will decide what,
if any, steps shall be taken.
In view of the fact that Prince Hello
has elected to pursue the matter in the
courts the idea of a duel seems to be pre-
cluded. Tonight Prince HeAe is laid up
in bed with his swathed in bandages,
Wn1le count bOm spent d part VI ti-
evening in visiting the newspaper offices.
I When seen by the Associated Press cor
respondent he was in high humor He
painted his cousin the blacklist colors,
declaring that Prince Helie had been
ostracsed from his own family, not one If
whom would permit him to enter the house.
Count Boni declared that the episode had
nothing to do with Mrs. Gould. but was
the result of an old grudge between him
and the Prince.
Count Boni's Story.
Count Boni said he took no notice of the
prince during the service which proceed
ed without any incident until the eleva-
ton of the host when the prince rose.
LAS he passed." said Count Boni, 'he
jammed his hat on his head and looked
nsultingly at me, this within 20 feet of
the altar l Immediately got up and fol-
; lowed him and when | reached the vesti-
bule outside, l said: 4 have not given
you your Christmas present and spat
full in his face. He raised his cane to
| strike me but I got in the first blow,
opening his temple. We then closed"
Count Bon dramatically acted the part
as he told the story and declared at its
conclusion that he had only resented what
he regarded as an insult to himself and
the church. He was convinced that the
prince, on account of his past career
would not dare to prosecute the COM
plaint.
Prince Helie, when seen by the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent in his bed
room, could only account for what he
termed brutal and deliberate attack
by Count Boni and Count De Castellane.