Kentucky Gazette

BARON GRIM.

THE FATAL DUEL AT WINTSTER.

FROM THE LONDON COURRIER OF JUNE 5.

It is with mingled feelings of surprise and horror 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 Wintster, an admirer, or rather a lover of a Miss Brittlebank, of the same place. This young lady had encouraged the addresses of Mr. Cuddie, doubtless without, but against the approbation of her father and her brothers, and they had, it appears forbidden him the house. It is but justice to add, that Mr. Cuddie was a young man of an irreproachable character, and in high estimation amongst the inhabitants. On Sunday se'nnight, she sent to ask him to take a 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 surgeon returned no answer, concluding that Mr. B. knew perfectly well how adverse his principles were to the practice of duelling. In consequence of this a friend was called in, a Mr. Spencer, of Bakewell, another less successful admirer, it is said, of Miss Brittlebank, 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 or spirit of duelling, to be sure. Mr. Spencer was invited to partake with him in the jug of ale that was before them, which he did, and then he delivered his message from Mr. William Brittlebank, the purport of which was, that he, Mr. W. Brittlebank, expected Mr. Cuddie would give him satisfaction on account of the insolent language he alleged had been used by him, or make an apology. To this Mr. Cuddie 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 were. The eldest of them said, "For God's sake Mr. Cuddie, ask my brother's pardon!" He replied he could not. Then Mr. Spencer said he had a brace of pistols ready charged, one of which he gave to Mr. Cuddie, and the other to Mr. Wm. 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 antagonist's ball, passing through the lower part of his body. He immediately exclaimed, "I am a dead man!" He, notwithstanding, walked into the house, attended by three of the misguided young men. Mr. Cuddie was quite sensible, 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 ill-fated 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 Wirksworth, who recommended sending for a 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 a deliberate purpose might be inferred on the part of the assailants, (whether justly or not it is not for us to decide) particularly from a letter, found in the possession of Mr. Cuddie, evidently in the hand-writing 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. A very respectable Coroner's Jury was summoned, and they gave a verdict of "Wilful Murder against all the four." They were immediately, (with the exception of Mr. W. Brittlebank who had absconded,) taken into custody, and next morning they were sent to Derby jail, immediately secured with heavy irons. It is not easy to conceive any thing more shocking to humanity, than the whole of this dreadful catastrophe.

Miss Brittlebank, accompanied by a friend, went to see the dead body of her murdered lover (for so he must be deemed according to the verdict of the Coroner;) but from the extreme agitation of her mind, and deeply wounded feelings operating on a body already enfeebled by sickness, it is feared she cannot long survive! She has given orders for the deepest mourning, and surely none had more cause to do so; since this fatal calamity has involved the whole family in ruin the most complete and inextricable.