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Title
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Dueling—To the Public
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Date
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April 24, 1855
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volume
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6
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issue
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105
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2
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2
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content
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en
Dueling to the Public
Major Goliah O’ Grady Gahagan, late of the H. E. I. Company’s service, has the honor to inform the gentlemen of San Francisco, of his arrival from Caleutts (?), and he offers them his professional services as a Duellist and Professor of the Code of Honor.
From his great experience and skill in his profession, having had the pleasure to be engaged in over four thousand “affairs of honor,” and to have slain in personal combat during the past thirty years, two hundred and thirty eight gentlemen of high respectability, Major Gahagan flatters himself that he shall be able to give satisfaction to the chivalry of San Francisco, and to conduct their little “affairs” with unequalled eclat.
In soliciting the patronage of this enlightened community, Major Gahagan has the honor to submit the following scale of fees, which he has at such an exceedingly low figure, as to place a duel in the power of a gentleman of the most limited means.
For demanding an apology, $3; ditto, an abject ditto, $3.75.
For letters on the subject of satisfaction, each, $1.25.
For arranging and carrying through a hostile meeting, as follows:
With dueling pistols, ten steps, $100; ditto, furnishing pistols, ammunition, surgeon and carriages, $200.
With rifles, thirty steps, $150; ditto, with muskets, do, $150.
With Colt’s revolvers, six shots, $200; do. six pounders, field pieces, (artillery provided) $500.
For settling satisfactorily a difficulty, “without prejudice to the honor of either party,” as follows:
When the lie has been given, $100; when the expression d-d rascal has been used, $75; do. d-d jackass, $50; when the nose has been pulled, $150; when a blow has been struck, $150; when a kick has been given, $175; do. on or near the coat tails, $200.
As a line must be drawn somehow, Major G. feels it his duty to announce that he will be no on account consent to serve in an affair between persons of color and that his charges for conducting a duel between two tailors will be nine times as great as the ordinary fees, the proverbial tenacity of life of those trades men rendering this arrangement imperative.
As interference with a gentleman’s profession is an outrage by no means to be tolerated, Major Gahagan deems it his duty to inform all gentleman who may think proper to engage in an affair of honor hereafter, whether as principals or seconds, without his assistance, that he will hold them personally responsible for so doing, in each and every instance.
Posting, as Liar, Coward and Scoundrel, by card or placard, executed on the most reasonable terms, and eligible lots in the Lone Mountain Cemetery provided for the unfortunate, or steamer tickets furnished the survivors for a small commission. Address Major Goliah O’Grady Gahagan, corner of Clay and Leavenworth streets, upstairs.
References – W. M. Thackeray, Sir Julius Jowler, K. C. B., the Marquis of Steyne, and the nobility and gentry at large.
Notices of the Press – From the Bundelcund Galaxy, June 15th, 1854 – “The fight yesterday between Major Gahagan and the Hon. Fitz Roy Jobson, was one of the most beautiful affairs we ever had the pleasure of witnessing. With five successive shots from a Colt’s Revolver, the gallant Major removed his adversary’s five front teeth, and with the sixth took off, as cleanly as with a scalpel, an inch and a half from the end of his nose, the profuse hemorrhage ensuing, rendering Mr. Jobson hors de combat from the nonce.”
Major Gahagan attended the honorable company’s ball in the evening, when we noticed him mingling in the mazes of the dance with Lady Emilie Jobson, &e., &e.
From the Caleutta Evening Journal, Aug. 9th, 1854 – “The duel between the gallant Major Gahagan and the Lord Bishop of Bengal, came off this morning at daylight, and resulted in the Bishop’s receiving an ounce ball on the pit of the stomach. On learning the nature of his adversary’s wound, the Major wittily remarks that he was much to be pitied, adding that he would have winged the Bishop, but for the fear of making an angel of him prematurely.”
Hundreds of similar testimonials to the above may be seen by applying to Major G. O G. G at his office. – Eve. Journal
