Duel: Magistrate Winburg: OFS Republic

Abstract

A humorous account of a nineteenth‑century Winburg magistrate and his clerk whose duel was abruptly ended by a mysterious shot.

Excerpt

In Winburg’s tense moment of absurdity, the magistrate and his clerk faced each other in a duel that promised scandal and tragedy — until a single thunderous shot rang out from nowhere, sending both men fleeing and restoring peace to the town.

Keywords

Winburg, duel, magistrate, clerk, Orange Free State, Landdrost, humour, Rijdende Dienst Macht, nineteenth century, Nongqai, Pretoria, Dr D.v.Z. Van Der Merwe

In Lighter Vein

THE MAGISTRATE AND HIS CLERK – A DUEL

D.v.Z. Van Der Merwe Pretoria

Winburg is a small town in the Free State. The Magistrate’s Office is majestically situated on a ridge overlooking the town square. The magistrate of more than 140 years ago, Mr Howell, was not endeared to all, and certainly not to his clerk, Mr Lenting.

Verbal altercations between the magistrate and his clerk were the order of the day. After yet another such confrontation it was agreed that a duel would ultimately settle the score once and for all. They each chose their weapons and headed for the agreed venue. With a citizen of such eminence engaging in an activity of this nature the intense interest of the local population was inevitable. Onlookers desperate for good vantage points thronged the intended firing line. The magistrate was armed with two loaded pistols, one of which was earmarked as a back-up. The clerk carried his rifle in the port position preparatory to delivering the fatal shot.

The atmosphere was charged and tense. Women scattered in all directions covering the faces of children on their hips so that they would not witness this scandalous affair. A single shot from the barrel of one of the lethal weapons was imminent and would have a devastating effect on the dispensation of justice in this peaceful town. The victor, who was to return to the office, would soon be known. And then, as they took their final paces towards their dreaded firing positions, a bolt from the blue rang out. A thundering shot went off. No one knows from where? The aggrieved officers of the law suddenly took flight in different directions, soberly aware of the power and finality that comes from the barrel of a gun.

For some time, peace and tranquillity prevailed in Winburg. Mr Howell was transferred in due course, needless to say, after many more verbal exchanges but thankfully with no more duels.

Afterword

Some local sources insist that it was the Sergeant of the OVS Rijdende Dienst Macht who discreetly fired the shot — “to prevent crime,” of course — and, with admirable tact, to safeguard the honour and dignity of his Landdrost.