In the days of early Coolgardie it was often the case that when a disagreement occurred it was settled in the time honoured way by bashing each other senseless. This was welcomed by the general population who were somewhat starved for entertainment. It also ensured your ‘disagreement’ was well and truly ‘settled’.
Boxers
Coolgardie drew to the town its share of hard men and bruisers from the dens of Melbourne and Sydney, from the forests and the mines and sometimes, intriguingly, some gentlemen who’s hidden abilities surprised the crowds.
One of the best known ‘grudge’ matches has its echo’s to this day, and there is nothing like a fight over the affections of a lady to draw the crowds.
The lady in question was young Bessie Stewart, the toast of Coolgardie, known as ‘De Bauns Bessie’ or ‘The Belle of Coolgardie’. She was the centre of attention and was showered with nuggets of gold by her many admirers. She held her court at the Great Western Hotel and was the first barmaid in Coolgardie. She would charm the assembled worshippers with her lovely voice and her Scottish ballads.
The antagonists were William Bennit known as ‘Bull’ and Jimmy Reid.
William Bennit (sometimes spelt Bennett) was from NSW, he was a champion sawyer and winner of many wood chopping events, he had walked to Coolgardie from Southern Cross in 1894. He was also well known in boxing circles around Sydney before his arrival on the Goldfields.
Jimmy Reid was a well-known prospector. According to Larry Cammilleri, in the book ‘Chasing the Weight’, who knew Jimmy in 1892, he was part of a tough gang called the twelve apostles. His brother was involved in the shooting of ‘May Wain’ (but that’s another story). Jimmy had done very well with his quest for gold.
Coolgardie Miner advertisement
The date set for the bout was the 27th November 1894
The following is an excerpt from the account of an eye witness:-
‘First thing I see as I strolled into the bar was one of the prettiest rigged barques, I mean young lady I have ever clapped eyes on. The bar was packed with Murchison prospectors and new chums all rigged out in their boiled shirts. The old hands soon told me that Bessie the barmaid divided her smiles between Bill Bennit and Jimmy Reid. Jimmy was an all-round wrestling, fighting, gambling and drinking man, he would be hard to beat but the other man was a tall bony athlete just arrived from Sydney.
Fifty pounds had just been staked and the loser was to leave Bessie forever and the winner would gain her affections. There was no time lost in ceremonies as each man stripped to the waist and stood glaring at each other, they looked fit to battle to kingdom come. ‘Bull’ was taller than Reid and a stone heavier. Round after bloody round was fought with no quarter being given by either man when in the 13th round where the hard rough life of prospectors life began to tell on Jimmy and although he came up game as ever it was evident his strength was giving out. Even blinded by blood in his eyes he strained to further the fight while his friends held him back. It was felt that manslaughter no less may have occurred if the friends of the parties had not intervened. No remonstrance was made when the Sydney man pocketed the winnings and withdrew to De Baun’s bar where Bessie waited. Bessie stood a round of drinks before leading Bill from the room.
The outcome of this scrap was another bout arranged between the two men for from 100 -200 pounds. It was rumoured that this was because of a ‘slur’ on the good name of the lovely Bessie!!
On the 8th Dec 1894 the Coolgardie Miner ran the following:-
Much interest is being exhibited in the town by the forthcoming boxing bout between Jimmy Reid and Billy Bennit at the Theatre Royal next week. Both men are well known in the field with Bennit having the advantage of having a professional trainer. People are coming to town to witness this bout from all corners of the fields.
Then The Coolgardie Miner reported on the 2 Feb 1895:
The much talked of battle between Jim Reid and Bill Bennit last December did not come off as advertised to the disappointment of hundreds of anxious sports fans. The fight was advertised for a Monday evening but the previous Friday Bennit knocked up his right hand in a spar. Although every application was made to the injured member it was generally know that no bout would occur that night. To Jimmy’s disgust Bennit had his stake of 100 pounds returned to him. There was some talk of legal proceeding being taken against the stakeholder Mr Leevers. Jimmy was still keen for a rematch.
A re match was set for the 4th Feb 1895 and shortly before 8 o’clock on the night excitement was caused by a bellman announcing that the fight between Bennit and Reid would take place and they would do battle for the ‘gate’ takings. This caused a rush to the Royal Theatre but there was no appearance of the combatants. It was announced to the waiting crowd that Bennit was not fit to fight that night. He had been given an injection of cocaine and had appeared firstly well enough to fight before falling into a stupor. The again disappointed crown were sadly refunded their money.
It was only later in the month of Feb 1895 that the truth of Bill’s actions came to light. It appeared that while Jimmy was hard at training down the coast for the match on the 4 Feb, Billy hopped in and eloped with Bessie to Sydney where they were married on the 25th February 1895 at St Johns church Darlinghurst NSW. They then returned to Coolgardie telling no one. This of course would have removed the point of any further fight over the lady’s favour as she was now lost to Jimmy.
There were various challenges between the men which were published in the current Coolgardie Miner back and forth between to two with much ill feeling.
Bill Bennit managed, with Bessie the Red Bluff Hotel at Coolgardie before becoming the licensee of the Rising Sun Hotel at Parkeston in 1909, he was to hold this licence for over 30 yrs.
O’Neil- Osmond wedding 1911, Back row standing William ‘Bill’ Bennit, Elizabeth Bennit, unknown man, Front row seated Vera Mills, Michael O’Neill (groom), Maude Alice Osmond (bride) , Blanche Osmond (mother of the bride)
Jimmy continued his life of a prospector and ‘died in harness’ in Kalgoorlie aged 62yrs as this, his obituary, says http://bit.ly/1HrKnrO , published in the Western Mail on the 28th August 1928. The story of Billy and Jimmy and Bessie was still remembered.
And now the tail ends:- It is obvious that there was tremendous rancour between Billy and Jimmy. Bessie smiled at both men, but did she demand a commitment from Billy? Was it she or Billy who was prevented from legal marriage possibly by a previous marriage? What did Jimmy do to engage in such a savage fight? It was later found that Bessie also had a son born on 17th Aug 1890 in Perth and registered as Leslie George Beaumont Stewart. This name was to be changed in 1958 to Leslie George Bennit. Leslie was to become the licensee of the Inland City Hotel and ran it with the help of his step father Billy till he lost his sight. Bill was to die at the Inland City Hotel on the 16th December 1940. Bessie was to pass a way a few years later on the 14th April 1947. Although this story had disappeared into history it was long remembered as the biggest con ever run on the boxing fraternity.
There is a great deal more to read about both this story and that of other ‘Bruisers of the Bush’ in a book by the same title written by Peter Bridge, Susan Bennett and myself. It tells the story of men who made their living by fighting. It was fascinating co editing this book with Peter Bridge and Susan Bennett and is a great read.
Taken on board ship early 1930’s. Possibly on their last visit to Sydney. Bessie is to Bull’s right and his sister, Eliza (Mrs A Hanson) is far left.
If you wish to purchase a copy of the book you can do so from my book store at this address:- http://bit.ly/1Ju9A48
Bruisers of the Bush
Moya Sharp
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