My 4th great grandfather was killed in a duel, but it had some unusual circumstances - it makes for an interesting but tragic part of the family history. The seconds loaded the pistols with powder & wadding so neither of the two dueling was injured .... the crowd (in on the joke) got a big laugh out of it. My 4th great grandfather was “unsatisfied” (20-20 hindsight - he should have left well enough alone), so they tried again - the account in the paper of what happened next was as follows:
The pistols were loaded as before excepting more wadding. The combatants took their stand this time at twenty paces; they threw up for the first fire, and Mr. PB won it; after discharging his pistol, he immediately turned about and run. Mr. H (provided the pistols), thinking there could be no harm done, with powder, called out to Mr. JB to pursue and make him beg his life; he accordingly run and soon came up with Mr. PB, seized him by the arm, and bringing the pistol in contact with his body, discharged the contents into
his side, part of the wadding penetrated into the lungs, the remainder was driven along the outside of the ribs and lodged by the back bone.
Mr. PB survived only 24 hours. He has left a wife and six children to lament his untimely end.
That’s one of those things you’d think you’d laugh about some day but somehow that day never really arrives. Good story.
Like the old joke ending:
911: “Are you sure he’s dead?”
Caller: “Just a moment...” [BLAM] “Yup.