Whisky, Whips, Loose Women and Lamb
There's Only One Duncan C. Ross...Or, Is There?
#PWHS #Article #Whisky #Whips #LooseWomen #Lamb #DuncanCRoss
Only when you're researching 19th century professional wrestling can you find an article that states, "Duncan C. Ross brutally assaults Duncan C. Ross," and it is not a printing error. All-Round champion athlete Duncan C. Ross was arrested on Thursday, September 4, 1890 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for attacking two men, one of whom happened to have the same name as him, with a bull-hide whip.
Anyway, we'll get to that in a minute. Because before that on Tuesday, September 2, 1890 Duncan C. Ross was in court dealing with a lawsuit for the amount of £11-2s-7d for work and labor done by fellow athlete, John Graham. Graham was making the claim that he had worked with another famous athlete, Donald Dinnie, and Ross touring across New South Wales and Gippsland during July 1890. According to Graham he was working as the advance agent who got people prepared for the incoming stars and also would box, wrestle, swing clubs or anything else if asked within the realms of the "show line" and "athletics."
Ross stated that to the best of his knowledge Graham had been paid all money owed to him. Dinnie stated in some cases Graham had been slightly overpaid. Both Ross & Dinnie could prove their claims via their books, Graham had no records of his accounts so the judge was forced to rule against him and dismiss the case. What came as a happy ending for Ross quickly got turned upside down.
Senior-constable Keane had been sitting in the wings awaiting the case to come to a close. He had already shown those residing in the court that he had a warrant in his possession for Duncan C. Ross. He was immediately placed under arrest and taken into custody. Dinnie decided to bail Ross out though, he paid £10 and Ross had to pay the same amount and he was granted bail until his court case the next day.
Wednesday, September 3, 1890 Ross appeared in the Richmond Magistrates for an entirely separate charge. This alleged violation of the law took place back on Monday, July 28, 1890 and was once again for assault. The case was not heard on the day though due to the prosecution being granted a weeks remand due to the arresting officer being in hospital. On the assertion that it would be fine to do this made by Donald Dinnie it was agreed to be held the following Wednesday.
Anyway, back to the offense that opened this article. The very next night it happened, September 4. Ross was walking down the street when a man bumped into him while dashing to catch the tram home. Unable to berate the running man, Ross turned to the two men, his friends, he had just left behind. One of these men just happened to also be called Duncan C. Ross. "Our Duncan" walked right up to the two men to confront them.
Angered he demanded an apology. The two men refused. The athlete continued to insist he be issued with an apology on behalf of their friend. When they continued to refuse, Ross, who had a whip with him, lashed the one gentleman upside his face. He then turned to the man with the same name and unleashed three heavy blows. Detective O'Callaghan was passing and saw the incident take place.
Upon approaching the man who was often dubbed the "World Mixed Style Wrestling Champion" took to his heels and fled the scene. Given the fact he had only just twenty-four hours previously been released from jail for assault charges, it's hardly surprisingly he sprinted away. Not that it mattered, the detective managed to chase down Ross and wrestle him to the ground.
There will be no shock for you in learning that he spent the night locked up in a cell and was immediately put in front of a judge at the local Police Court. It seems the case was pretty open and shut with the result being Duncan C. Ross paying a £7 fine rather than face two and a half months in prison.
Nothing else seemed to draw public attention to Ross during the following few days until he went back to court on Wednesday, September 11 for the July case of assault. And the following is what happened.
A Mr. John Coyle claimed that Ross was on his premises between the hours of two and three o'clock in the morning alongside another man. Thinking that the two men were burglars, Coyle grabbed his old sword and went to confront them. When he opened his front door, Ross and his companion immediately attempted to rush into the abode. Coyle shouted for them to "clear out."
At first Ross backed off to the front gate. It was at this point Coyle made the mistake of following Ross who turned round and punched the sword wielding home-owner in the face; causing his eye to be swollen shut for several days. Not done yet Ross, who was said to be carrying a bottle of whisky, threw it at Coyle. Still feeling he had not dealt out enough punishment, the clearly drunken Ross, started throwing stones at him, until finally he satisfied his urge by ripping down a neighbors "For Sale" sign and launching that at the prone Coyle.
Soon after Coyle found a policeman and they located Ross at the adjoining house. Ross said that he had made a mistake. He said when confronted by Coyle holding a sword he just threw his fore-quarter of lamb at him and managed to lose a bottle of whisky. Ross' friend, John Bond, corroborated the story. The woman who occupied the house where Ross was found stated she saw Coyle rush out with the sword and threaten Ross, but she did not witness any assault by Ross.
Coyle had claimed that Nicholson was part of a house of "loose women" where Ross and Bond had meant to go to. It seems even though Ross had two witnesses back up his story of self-defense, the bench sided with Coyle. Ross was fined £5 plus had to pay costs of £5 and 10 shillings in lieu of spending a month in prison.
Soon after Ross and Dinnie got off of mainland Australia and traveled down to the island of Tasmania where they held some athletic shows. And believe it or not, there are many more just plain unusual stories out there about Ross. He was truly a unique personality.
Anyway, we'll get to that in a minute. Because before that on Tuesday, September 2, 1890 Duncan C. Ross was in court dealing with a lawsuit for the amount of £11-2s-7d for work and labor done by fellow athlete, John Graham. Graham was making the claim that he had worked with another famous athlete, Donald Dinnie, and Ross touring across New South Wales and Gippsland during July 1890. According to Graham he was working as the advance agent who got people prepared for the incoming stars and also would box, wrestle, swing clubs or anything else if asked within the realms of the "show line" and "athletics."
Ross stated that to the best of his knowledge Graham had been paid all money owed to him. Dinnie stated in some cases Graham had been slightly overpaid. Both Ross & Dinnie could prove their claims via their books, Graham had no records of his accounts so the judge was forced to rule against him and dismiss the case. What came as a happy ending for Ross quickly got turned upside down.
Senior-constable Keane had been sitting in the wings awaiting the case to come to a close. He had already shown those residing in the court that he had a warrant in his possession for Duncan C. Ross. He was immediately placed under arrest and taken into custody. Dinnie decided to bail Ross out though, he paid £10 and Ross had to pay the same amount and he was granted bail until his court case the next day.
Wednesday, September 3, 1890 Ross appeared in the Richmond Magistrates for an entirely separate charge. This alleged violation of the law took place back on Monday, July 28, 1890 and was once again for assault. The case was not heard on the day though due to the prosecution being granted a weeks remand due to the arresting officer being in hospital. On the assertion that it would be fine to do this made by Donald Dinnie it was agreed to be held the following Wednesday.
Anyway, back to the offense that opened this article. The very next night it happened, September 4. Ross was walking down the street when a man bumped into him while dashing to catch the tram home. Unable to berate the running man, Ross turned to the two men, his friends, he had just left behind. One of these men just happened to also be called Duncan C. Ross. "Our Duncan" walked right up to the two men to confront them.
Angered he demanded an apology. The two men refused. The athlete continued to insist he be issued with an apology on behalf of their friend. When they continued to refuse, Ross, who had a whip with him, lashed the one gentleman upside his face. He then turned to the man with the same name and unleashed three heavy blows. Detective O'Callaghan was passing and saw the incident take place.
Upon approaching the man who was often dubbed the "World Mixed Style Wrestling Champion" took to his heels and fled the scene. Given the fact he had only just twenty-four hours previously been released from jail for assault charges, it's hardly surprisingly he sprinted away. Not that it mattered, the detective managed to chase down Ross and wrestle him to the ground.
There will be no shock for you in learning that he spent the night locked up in a cell and was immediately put in front of a judge at the local Police Court. It seems the case was pretty open and shut with the result being Duncan C. Ross paying a £7 fine rather than face two and a half months in prison.
Nothing else seemed to draw public attention to Ross during the following few days until he went back to court on Wednesday, September 11 for the July case of assault. And the following is what happened.
A Mr. John Coyle claimed that Ross was on his premises between the hours of two and three o'clock in the morning alongside another man. Thinking that the two men were burglars, Coyle grabbed his old sword and went to confront them. When he opened his front door, Ross and his companion immediately attempted to rush into the abode. Coyle shouted for them to "clear out."
At first Ross backed off to the front gate. It was at this point Coyle made the mistake of following Ross who turned round and punched the sword wielding home-owner in the face; causing his eye to be swollen shut for several days. Not done yet Ross, who was said to be carrying a bottle of whisky, threw it at Coyle. Still feeling he had not dealt out enough punishment, the clearly drunken Ross, started throwing stones at him, until finally he satisfied his urge by ripping down a neighbors "For Sale" sign and launching that at the prone Coyle.
Soon after Coyle found a policeman and they located Ross at the adjoining house. Ross said that he had made a mistake. He said when confronted by Coyle holding a sword he just threw his fore-quarter of lamb at him and managed to lose a bottle of whisky. Ross' friend, John Bond, corroborated the story. The woman who occupied the house where Ross was found stated she saw Coyle rush out with the sword and threaten Ross, but she did not witness any assault by Ross.
Coyle had claimed that Nicholson was part of a house of "loose women" where Ross and Bond had meant to go to. It seems even though Ross had two witnesses back up his story of self-defense, the bench sided with Coyle. Ross was fined £5 plus had to pay costs of £5 and 10 shillings in lieu of spending a month in prison.
Soon after Ross and Dinnie got off of mainland Australia and traveled down to the island of Tasmania where they held some athletic shows. And believe it or not, there are many more just plain unusual stories out there about Ross. He was truly a unique personality.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Whisky, Whips, Loose Women and Lamb.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: April 6, 2016.
Article: #141.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Whisky, Whips, Loose Women and Lamb.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: April 6, 2016.
Article: #141.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Other articles by Jimmy can be Read Here.