Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-07-01
SID ELI CHIT 8

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We'll begin again on fair terms. Let
your second chalk upon your body a
slice of the size of me, and we shall
not count any ball of mine that hits
outside that. mark"
Curran's duel with Bully" Egan
ended in uproarious amusem ent. The
two enemies walked off arm in arm.
and the crowd returned to Dublin in
the best humor in which sight seers
ever had come back from duel.
In the disturbed political period that
interviewed between 1880 and 1900, it
is calculated that more than 800 noted
duels took place. Members of parlia-
ment then, who took offense at any
thing said or done by political oppon-
ent, challenged their friend across the
floor of the house of commons; with
drew with their hackers; had their
fight; and one or both (if both were
Fortunately returned to the house, and
joined once more in the debate.
Henry Grattan, the celebrated Irish
orator and statesman, in these days
was asked for advice by young man
entering political life He replied de-
liberately keep cool; take good aim;
fire first-that is all" sGrattan began
his duelling career by fighting Lord
Earlsford and ended by fighting and
killing Isaac Cory, chancellor of the
exchequer. It was Cory who issued the
challenge, and I think it will be con-
ceded that he had some provocation
for doing so. when it Is stated that
Grattan, in the course Of debate
upon the proposed union with England,
spoke of Cory in the following some
what uncomplim entary terms: .I will
not call him villain, because It would
be improper, and he is privy coun-
cilor; will not call him fool, because
chequer; but l say: he is one who has
abused the privilege of parliament and
the freedom Of debate by uttering
language which If spoken outside of
the house l should answer only with a
blow. l care not how high his station,
how low his character, how contemp-
tible his speech, whether he be privy
councillor or a parasite, my answer
would be blow"
Roche one day was addressing the
house, number of young men belong
ing to the opposition tried to cough
him down. Roche paused in his
speech, drew from his pocket and dis
played to the house a handful of pistol
bullets He said: II have here some
pills that are warranted to cure a
cough in five minutes If any gentle
man opposite feel certain that he can
not rid himself of his cough instantly,
shall be happy to relieve him." 1t is
recorded that Sir Boyle finished his
speech without further molestation.
In those days Norris coffee house
near the Royal Exchange and Lucas
coffee house on Cork hill. adjacent to
the castle were the resorts of the
beaus, the wits and the politicians. An
old writer tells how these places usual
ly were crowded by the city beaus,
dressed in all that was fine and gay,
with prim queues, Marshal Eugene
wigs, bulged waistcoats, Steinkirls
breast ruffles and gold clocks in their
silk stockings. They read the news
papers, slipped coffee, strutted about
the coffee house, and prom pity chal-
lenged anyone who dared brush
against them. Duels were fought fire.
quently in the yards behind the coffee
houses; the company flocked to the
windows to see that the laws of honor
the commandments" as they were
termed-were strictly observed, and to
bet upon the survivor. In the morning
the bucks strutted up and down, with
long trains to their gowns-and woe
betide the person of inferior rank who
accidentally touched these trains.
plain man one day crossing a room
in Norris's accidentally touched with
his foot the train of a buck named
Sheehy. Sheehy's sword was out in
stantly; the other mau drew his small
tuck which he carried as an appen-
darge to dress, without ever intending
or knowing how to use it. Sheehy,
+ ever, pressed him back, drove him
against the wall, and prepared with a
lunge to pin him to it, Now this
Sheehy was notorious for his skill in
fencing, and had killed or wounded sew
eral adversaries. On this occasion,
however, his terrified opponent, in an
impulse Of self-preservation, sprang
within Sheehy's point and pierced him
to the heart. The killing of Sheehy
had salutary effect upon the bucks.
That part of Phoenix park known
as the Fifteen Acres, and so-called be.
cause it's area is much less than fifteen
acres, was favorite place for fighting
duels. And it is recorded how a sec
ond, who happened to be lawyer
wrote once challenging an offending
party to meet the offended Gin the Fiji
teen Acres, be the same more or less
The lawyers not only frequently
fought duels, but laid down the law fol
them. Lord Clonmel, lord chief justice
at the end of the eighteenth century
sitting in the court of Kings Bench
laid down the following: There are
cases where 1t may be, and where II
is, prudent for man to fight duel
cases in which the law does not afford
him redress, cases of persevering ma
lightly, cases of injured honor. cases OF
wounded spirit-and wounded spirit
who can bear? In cases of this com
plexion the court will never interfere
with it's discretionary authority against
man. But in all these cases where q
man seeks to bring himself into notice