PLUM JAM “BULLET”

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 12

PLUM JAM “BULLET”

STORIES OF EARLY DUELS IK MELBOURNE

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 balancesheet. 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 i na dilemma until someone remembered a very fine pair possessed by Mr Joseph Howden, who lived at Heidelberg. ' One of the group rode post baste to get them. He returned at 1 o’clock next morning, and galloped down Collins street with a pistol in each hand, holding the reins between his foeth. 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 esattered 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 be 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, 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 Kennedy and Mr George Demoulin, with whom fie had “ a slight, tiff,” as the records have it. “ BRAINS BLOWN OUT," Kennedy had issued the challenge in jocular vein, but Demouliu had accepted it as serious The seconds arranged between themselves that Demoulin should use a pistol charged only with powder sufficient to create a great noise. In the weapon used by Kennedy they placed powder and a paper 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 be 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 ids brains had been blown out and were hanging in front of his eyes, blinding him.” When he learned the facts, like a good sportsman ho joined in the laughter at the practical joke played on him, and the affair was settled amid joviality at the Lamb Inn,

Numerous duels wore 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.