Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1900 — A Duel Fought in the Air. [ARTICLE]

A Duel Fought in the Air.

One of the most curious of duels was the “Balloon Duel” in France, which was fought in 1808. The combatants were M. de Grandpre and M. le Pique, who had quarreled—about a lady of course. This lady was one Mademoiselle Tirevit, an actress at the Imperial Opera. On the appointed day M. de Grandpre entered the car of one balloon with his second, and M. le Pique, with his second, mounted the other In the Garden of the Tuileries, before an Immense ci’owd of admiring spectators. When all was ready the ropes were cut and the balloons shot upward for a distance of about half a mile above tbe earth. The wind Being light, they were able to keep the distance of about eighty yards between each other, with which they started. On reaching the agreed altitude the signal was given to fire. M. le Pique missed, but M. de Grandpre’s ball went through the silk of the other balloon, which' immediately collapsed. The car descended with frightful velocity, and both M. le Pique and his second were dashed to pieces. The balloon of the victor continued to ascend, and M. de Grandpre came back to earth some leagues from Paris.