PLUM JAM "BULLET"

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3479, 14 June 1934, Page 7

PLUM JAM "BULLET"

STORIES OF EARLY DUELS IN MELBOURNE. NO SERIOUS CASUALTIES. On the evening of New Year's Day, 1840, a select party of Melbourne citizens sat down to dinner at the Melbourne Club, just then preparing to present its first balance sheet. Soon, as a result of a slight difference, Mr. Peter Snodgrass challenged Mr. William Ryrie to fight it out with pistols. Seconds were appointed, and the place of meeting selected. An unforeseen difficulty presented itself. Duelling pistols were not available. The seconds were in a dilemma until someone remembered a very fine pair possessed by Mr. Joseph Howden, who lived at Heidelberg. One of the group rode post haste to get them. He returned at one o'clock next morning and galloped down Colins Street with a pistol in each hand, holding trie reins between his teeth. Impetuous Mr. Snodgrass. The excitement at the pending hostilities was somewhat dampened, however, when someone asked, "What about the ammunition?" The "Sports Emporium" in Market Square had been scattered in all directions by the tremendous accidental explosion on the preceding Christmas Eve, and powder and bullets were unprocurable. But supplies were eventually obtained from Captain Smith, commanding the 28th Regiment, then in garrison in Melbourne. As dawn was ushered in, the antagonists faced each other. Then Mr. " Snodgrass became excited as he thought of his possible fate, and he pulled the trigger before the signal was given. He shot himself in the toe. Everybody laughed, and the "affair" was considered settled with honour. But Mr. Snodgrass had learned no lesson from his painful experience. August, of the following year found him facing an opponent much younger and steadier than himself. He was looking at a pistol held by the frock-coated and top-hatted Redmond Barry, then a rising young barrister, and lateivto become Sir Redmond Barry, whose statue now graces the approach to the Public Library. Mr. Snodgrass was still nervous. Again he fired early, but was careful to miss his toe on this occasion. Mr. Barry fired in the air to prove he was still a gentleman, "even if he did engage in duelling." The most humorous duel fought in Melbourne took place in 1843 between the Hon. Gilbert -Kenßedy and Mr. George Demoulin, with whom he had "a slight tiff," as the records have it. "Brains Blown Out." Kennedy had issued the challenge in jocular vein, but Demoulin had accepted it as serious. The seconds arranged between themselves that Demoulin should use a pistol charged

with powder sufficient to create a great noise. In the weapon used by Kennedy they placed powder and a paper cartridge containing plum jam.

- Demoulin was convinced that his end was approaching, as he was a poor shot, unaccustomed to the use of a pistol.

Kennedy levelled his weapon at the other's forehead. The signal was given, and both fired together.

When the smoke from the overcharged pistol of Demoulin had cleared away, he was observed to be staggering but courageously endeavouring to remain on his feet. His face was covered with jam, and he was loudly calling for assistance, "as his brains had been blown out, and were hanging in front of his eyes, blinding him." When he learned the facts, like a good sportsman he joined in the laughter at the practical joke played on him, and the affair was settled amid joviality at the Lamb Inn. Numerous duels were fought in Melbourne until 1850, but the injury sustained by Mr. Snodgrass when his own bullet struck his toe was the only casualty. On occasions, however, bullets passed through the hats or coats of antagonists, and the lack of tragedy was probably due more to good fortune than good management.