The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-07-18
from the London Courier Of June 81
The Fatal Duel at Winster.

1t is with mingled feelings OF sur
prise and horrour, that we have now
to record one of the most diabolical
| transactions that ever disgraced the
records of duelling-being an attack
upon a young man, whose name was
Cuddie, a surgeon at Winster, an admir-
er, or rather lover, of Miss Brittle
bank, of the same place. This young
lady had encouraged the addresses OF
Mr.. Cuddie, not only without, but a.
gainst the appreciation of her father
and her brothers; and they had, it APP
pears, forbidden him the house. 1t is
but Justice to add, that Mr. Cuddie was
young man of an irreproachabie char
acter, and in high estimation amongst
the inhabitants. On Sunday, se'nnight,
she sent to ask him TO take walk with
her, which he accordingly did-and who
would not have done the same They
were met by one of her brothers, who
upbraided her, and almost shook her, SO
as to hurt her arm. This was followed,
next day, with a challenge from Mr..
William Brittlebank, to which the sur
geon returned no answer, concluding.
that Mr.. B. knew perfectly well how
adverse his principles were to the prac-
tice of duelling. In consequence of
this, friend was called in, Mr.. Spen-
Ger, of Blackwell, another less success
full admirer, it is said, of Miss Brittle
bank, who, by desire, called on Mr..
Cuddie, and, being in the afternoon, he
found him sitting with his glass of ale,
and smoking his pipe. Not in the style
OF spirit of duelling, to be sure, Mr..
Spencer was invited to partake with
him the jug of ale that was before
them, which he did, and then he deliv-
cred his message from Mr.. William
Brittlebank, the purport of which was,
that he, Mr.. William Brittlebank, ex-
pected Mr.. Cuddie would give him salts
faction on account Of the insolent Ian
guage he alleged had been used by him,
or make an apology. To this Mr.. Cud-
die replied, he had done nothing to ask
pardon for. He was then pressed to go
Immediately into his own garden, where
the three brothers of the young lady
we're. The eldest of them said, "For
Gods sake Cuddie, ask my brothers
pardon y He replied he could not
Then Mr.. Spencer said he had brace
of pistols, ready charged, one of which
he gave to Mr. Cuddie, and the other
to Mr.. w. Brittlebank Mr.. Cuddie was
obliged, in his own defence, to comply,
and they both fired at the same instant.
Mr.. Cuddie was wounded by his an
tagonist's ball, passing through the low
err part Of his body. He Immediately
exclaimed, 8 am dead man - He,
notwithstanding, walked into the house,
attended by three of the misguided
young men. Mr. Cuddie was quite sem
sible, though in great pain, and was put
to bed, Soon after, made his will,
which, wonderful to relate, was done
by the eldest Brittlebank. In the mean
time, the Inflated and ill-principled
young man, who had brought all this
grievous calamity upon them, went to a
neighbouring magistrate to relate his
story, and then disappeared. A surgeon
was procured from Wordsworth, who
recommended sending for gentleman,
in the office of the Peace, from Hopton,
and the deposition of the unfortunate
man was then taken. He died the next
day, about two o'clock From several
corroborating circumstances, deliber-
ate purpose might be inferred on the
part of the assailants, whether justly
or not, it is not for us to decide par
ticularIy from letter, found in the
possession of Mr.. Cuddie, evidently in
the handwriting of Miss Brittlebank,
though without her signature, begging
Mr. Cuddie to be on his guard, as she
had overheard some conversation that
had alarmed her for his safety. Avery
respectable Coroner's Jury was sum
moned, and they gave a verdict of
6 Wilful Murder against all the four.''
They were Immediately, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. w. Brittlebank, who had
absconded,) taken into custody, and
next morning they were sent to Derby
jail, and Immediately secured with
heavy irons. 1t is not easy to conceive
any thing more shocking to humanity,
than the whole of this dreadful catas-
trophe.
Miss Brittlebank, accompanied by
friend, went to see the dead body of her
murdered lover, (for so he must be
deemed according to the verdict of the