A MORTAL DUEL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4424, 9 March 1883, Page 3

A MORTAL DUEL.

At the Seine Assizes of the 26th inst. (December), M. Diehard, editor of the Petit Caporal, was charged with the voluntary - homicide of -M. de Massas, director of the Combat, in a duel fought with swords at Nogent-sur-Marne, on September 3rd. (Both gentlemen are editors of a Bonapartist organ.) The seconds on both sides were charged as his accomplices. The writ stated that the deceased begaii the duel with the utmost impetuosity, and it- was continued with such vigour on both sides, that the witnesses were unable to follow all the movements of the cbmbatants, and the seconds as well as Dr Court and M. Rogat, of the Pays, at 1 whose residence the duel took place,, gate contradictory versions of the affair* but they all agreed in stating that fair play prevailed throughout. M. Diehard, who was also wounded, declared, in reply to the President, that the seconds noticing blood on his shirt, rushed towards him,, thinking that he alone had been hurt. Everyone, including himself, was a&> tonished .on seeing M. de Massas drop bis sword aud become exhausted. As he did so he pointed to a wound on bis right breast. M.; Diehard believed that the deceased' rah . against his sword. The fight lasted no more than a few seconds. Opinions differ as to whether the deceased after dealing two furious blows at his adversary, ran against bis weapon, or whether be ru»hed at him wildly on feeling that he was mortally wounded. His doctor stated that he had nerer been able to handle, a. sword properly, and that his play was fantastic in the extreme. The jury returned a negative reply to to all questions put to them, and the prisoners were acquitted. ,