REVOLVER DUEL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 192, 3 November 1927, Page 7

REVOLVER DUEL

END OF “SQUIZZY” TAYLOR

MELBOURNE’S UNDERWORLD KING

Additional details came to hand by this week’s Australian mail concerning the death of “Squizzy” Taylor, “king of the Melbourne underworld.”

Leslie (“Squizzy”) Taylor, aged 45 years, of Darlington Street, Richmond, the well-known Australian criminal, and John Cutmore, aged 38 years, of Barkly Street, Carlton, were killed, and Bridget Cutmore, aged 58 years, of the same address, his mother, was wounded in a shooting affray which took place in a house in Barkly Street, Carlton.

It is believed that the two men fought a duel with revolvers, 12 shots being fired. Cutmore had been ill with influenza, and Taylor visited his home at Barkly Street about six o’clock on the night with another man. It is believed that a quarrel arose between the men, and that, both drawing revolvers, they commenced shooting. Cutmore was shot through the heart and hand, and was killed instantly. Taylor received several wounds, from which he died shortly afterwards in the Melbourne Hospital. During the affray Mrs. Cutmore intervened, and she was shot through the right shoulder. The tragedy was evidently the culmination of a bitter feud between the two men. Accompanied by another man, Taylor entered the nouse where Cutmore was lying in bed. suffering from an attack of influenza, at about six o’clock. According to statements made to the police, only a few words were spoken, and these were indistinguishable. The attention of Mrs. Bridget Cutmore was attracted by the report of a revolver shot. Other shots followed in quick succession. Hurrying to the room, Mrs. Cutmore saw the two men, one of whom was holding a revolver. Her son had not left his bed. As she stood in the doorway she received a shot in the right shoulder. Although in a dazed condition, she recollects that Taylor left the house by the front door, while the second man ran into the back yard, leaving by a gate leading to a lane. Taylor staggered toward a car which he had left waiting in the street. As he stumbled out into the street Taylor exclaimed: "I am shot take me to hospital." His companion helped him into the car. and told the driver to hurry to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Travelling by way of Johnson Street, the car was delayed for some minutes in a traffic crush at the intersection of Brunswick Street. Apparently disregarding the serious condition of his friend, and fearing possible police intervention, Taylor’s companion opened the door of the motor-car, and, jumping out, said: "You had better see this through