He lost to James Jeffries who was affiliated with the Nicholls faction of the party, even losing his own parish.
In February 1889 they came to blows on the streets of Thibodaux and one week later Knobloch challenged O'Sullivan to a duel.
When the parties were assembled at the Oaks, it was determined that the ground was too wet with dew to allow sword fighting and after a brief parley, the dispute was resolved without violence.
[1] Knobloch was shot and killed on May 18, 1903, in downtown Thibodaux, Louisiana by barber James Cherault.
Evidence from a preliminary hearing showed the men quarreled over a woman, and Cherault shot Knobloch in self-defense.