Fighting at the national palace; General Séïde Thélémaque killed

On Friday 28 September 1888, rumors spread through the city that General Séïde Thélémaque, a member of the provisional government, in charge of the ministry of war and a candidate for the presidency, was about to seize the national palace, which General Anselme Prophète had been guarding since the departure of President Salomon. The fact is that cartridges had been distributed to his northern troops, who were quartered all around the Place Pétion. It was said that General Séide, pressed by his financial backers and by his partisans, intended to have himself proclaimed president. It was also said that General Seide would be attacked during the night by the partisans of Légitime. A panic broke out and the citizens ran to arm themselves. The other members of the provisional government exerted themselves in every way to prevent a collision between the northern troops and the citizens. Their efforts were in vain. General Séide received them very badly in his camp and uttered threats. In the evening, about 7 o’clock, four shots were fired from the side of General Séide’s camp. Whether his…

Rouzier tells this under the entry PLACE PETION (la).