A JOURNALIST SHOT BY PRINCE PIERRE NAPOLEON.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 656, 2 April 1870, Page 4

A JOURNALIST SHOT BY PRINCE PIERRE NAPOLEON.

The Pays of January 10th published a letter from Prince Pierre Bonaparte, challenging M. Henii Rochefort to a duel. M. Victor .Noir, a Parisian journalist, ou going to Ihe residence of the Prince on the part of M. Rochefort was killed by his Imperial Highness. The following account of what took place, is from the pen of "Citizen" Ulric de Fonvielle, who accompanied Victor Woir, and was an eye-witness of the scene : — On the 10th of January, 1870, at 1 p.m., Victor Nbir and I called on Prince Pierre Bonaparte, Rue d'Auteuil, No. 59. We were commissioned by M. Paschal Groiißset to demand satisfaction for articles insulting him, published in VAvenir de la Corse. We gave our cards to two servants at the door, and were introduced into a small parlor on the ground floor. After waiting a few minutes we were shown upstairs, and after going through a fencing-room, went into a kind of draw-ing-room. A door opened, and M. Pierre Bonaparte entered. We advanced towards him, and the following words were exchanged — " Monsieur, we came on bohalf of M. Paschal Grousset, to hand you the letter." " You don't come from M. Rochefort, and you are not his flunkies !" "Monsiear, we come for another aff i l , and 1 beg you will make yourself acquainted with this letter." I handed the letter to him. He went to a window and read it, and after crumpling it np returned towards us. "I have challenged M. Rochefort (he said) because he is the standard-bearer of the foulest scum of the population. As for M. Grousset, I have no answer for him. Do you make yourself answerable for such carrion ?" " Monsieur," I replied, " we come to you fairly and courteously to discharge the commission our friend has entrusted to us." " Are you responsible for these wretches V 1 Victor Noir replied — " We are answerable for our friends. " Then suddenly advancing one step, Prince Bonaparte with his left hanfl gave Victor Noir a slap in the face, and at tlie same tune pulled out a revolver, which he had full-cocked in his pocket, and fired at Victor Noir. Noir leapt up, and pressing both hands to his chest, vanished through the door by which he had entered. The cowardly assassin then rushed at me, and fired a shot at me quite close. I then seized a pistol which 1 had in my pocket, and while I was trying to get it out of the case the wretch rushed upon me ; but seeing I was armed, he fell back, put himself before the door, and took aim at me. It was then ihat, understanding the ambush I had fallen intOj and reflecting if I fired people would not fail to say that we Lai been t! c aggressors, I opened a. door behind me and rushed away, shouting murder. As I went out a second shot was fired, which ones more went through my coat skirts. In the street I found Victor Noir dying. Such are the facts as they took place, and I expect for this crime full and exemplary justice. The France quotes from the Jownal of Nke a letter written by some member of Prince Pierre Bonaparte's family, which gives an account of the circumstances which attended the murder : — About one or two o'clock, after lunch, the Prince was sitting with his wife by the fire in the drawing-room. He was in his dressing gown, having a bad cold, and was expend >g hourly to hear from M. Rochefort. He said to his wife, "I shall be sorry if anyone comes to-day, for with this cold on n c it is not pleasant." A servant came in and handed two cards to the Princess, who recognised the names from having seen them in the Radical papers. The Prince give a look as much as to say — are those the visitors I expect ? His wife nodded affirmatively. The Prince said, '' Have them shown in here while I clres'.' The Prn ess ] c 3ef gave cunctions that these gentlemen should be introduced, and withdrew to her own room which is now on the other side of the bil-liard-room, and servant's staircase. She j was there with her children, little dreaming what turn the interview was about to take, when she fancied she heard a shot, and a noise of voices on the stairs. She fancied the Prince had been shot, and was so agitated that she could not stir or speak a word. Suddenly she hears the voice of her husband, plucks up courage, and goes to seek him, when she throws herself into his arms ; he re-assures her, and immediately relates things as they had happened. When, on going out of apartment, he had entered the drawingroom the two persons waiting for him stepped up and handedhim a letter. The Prince approached the window to read it, but after having cast his eyes on the signature he sail, "But this is not from M. Rochefort?" M. Victor upon that advanced towards him, and said, in an insolent tone, "Read it all the same-" j The Prince, crumpling up the letter, an- | Bwered, " It's all read. lam ready to fight Rochefort, not his cads !". At these words M. Victor Nior gave, him a slap in the face, whilst M. Ulric de Fonvielle, who kept further off, was levelling a revolver at him, probably to keep him (The Prince) at bayyand prevent him returning the blow. Under the impression of this blow and this threat, the Prince pulled his revolver out of his pocket and fired one shot at the first of his adversiries. . . ■ • . . . The preliminary examination of Prince Pierre Bonaparte will probably be finished at the end of the month, and his trial will take place during the first fortnight of .February. The court will sit, it is stated, at Versailljs.