Nongqai Vol 17 No 8 – 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.
The Landdrost or Magistrate of Winburg then, was the brother of my great Grandfather Michael Martin Charles Howell. The Landdrost’s name was James Howell, and yes, not a very popular man even with his own family! My Grandfather, Henry or Harry Howell, ( 24May 1856 – 14 June 1929) was sent to his Magistrate uncle for a 2yr ” finishing school?” – term to teach him how to become or be a distinguished gentleman!
However, he became the ” stalknecht” of his uncle and was whipped several times just because of a sliver of dust on a horse’s body which was detected by merely wiping his white handkerchief over the horse’s body! If there was dust on that white handkerchief, my Grandfather was given anything from 5 – 7 lashes with any leather strap he could lay his hands on! That was Landdrost James Howell! Eventually my Grandfather left and returned to our Family farm, Blaauwkrantz, in the Heilbron District of the Free State and became one of the wealthiest farmers in those days.