Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-25
THE LATE FIGHT on THE FLOOR OF CON-
GREsS.

Our readers viii remember that the telegraph,
few days ago, reported fight in the hall of the
House Of Congress, between member Of Congress
and stranger The following account Of the affair
we take from the Washington Union
Our readers may remember that on the 9th inst.
Senator Biggs, of North Carolina, called the atten-
ton Of the Senate to some extracts from a book
entitled The Impending CRISIS of the South quoted
in the published speech of Senator Wilson Ths
Senator went on to show that the author Of this
book was dishonest, degraded and disgraced
man. and although-much to be regretted-a native
Of North Carolina yet he is apOstate son, ruined
in fortune and character, and catering 70 diseased
appetite at the North TO obtain miserable living by
ISLANDERS upon the land Of his birth 81 deeply re-
greet" continued Governor Biggs " that the Senator
from Massachusetts, has, by a reference 80 dgnifed
the creature as TO render necessary this exposure.
Such Is Mr.. Helper, Of North Carolina, author Of
The Impending CRISIS Of the South, alias Mr.. Heller
once Of North Carolina but who has left the land Of
his birth for the good Of the State.
Il IS supposed that Mr. Heller, alias Helper, was
at once sent for, and this morning he was vaporing
about the departments, making threats Of what he
would do could he discover MF. Biggs' Informant.
Alter the adjournment Of Congress, he made his sp-
pesrsnce in the hall Of the House of Representa-
tves with other individuals, who we're probably
his confederates,) and going behind the chair Of
Hon. Burton O. aige. commenced an impertinent
questioning. 1t is asserted by those near by that
Mr. CrRige denied having furnished the information,
and referred him to Senator Biggs, whereupOn Hef-
err alias Helper, became abusive, and an alteration
ensued. The following account Of what transpired
was furnished us by the Hen. Augustus R. Wright,
of Georgia, eyewitness:
" Approaching the Speakers desk in front, Mr..
Craige sits Immediately The left Of the aisle, on
the front tier of seats. My scat is next to Mr.
Craiees, on the same row inst 10 his left. The
Loo hcfT " m Mis-
souri,, had been announced few moments before,
and the House adjourned to permit the attendance
Of members at his funeral. MIR Craige still in
his seat was still in mine, reading the editorial
scraps in the morning Globe.
"My attention was attracted by a tall, dark skin
ned man. with rather a sinister, savage look, asking
Mr.. Craige, very abruptly if he had made GER
tain statement-I did not understand distinctly
what.
1.-THE conversation proceeded, mildly upon the
part Of Mr.. Craige. A few seconds satisfied me
that the man either intended to attack Mr.. CrRige
or compel the member to strike him. This caused
me to scan him instantly from head to foot, and to
compare him physically, with Mr.. Craige 1 was
satisfied the latter could whip him. did not like
the lurking eye Of the stranger, however, and was
pretty sure l the mark Of Bowie-knife or pis-
tol under his coat
"The idea of assassination, like fash Of light
ming, impressed itself upon my mind. deter
mlneQ 10 take part IN the IeuGOuul6T II necessary
to prevent it. should have gone for the Sergeant
at arms but was afraid to leave. as collision was
evidently approaching. 1 rose from my seat ST.
lently and went round Mr.. Craige's seat and took
my seat just at the side of the intruder, intending
to seize his arm if he attempted to draw a weapon.
Casting my eyes around, l saw two or three
men, not members, and strangers to me- in mem
bers seats close by, watching the progress of the
difficulty. They may have been there accidentally.
My opinion was, and is, they there by design.
I felt that crisis approaching Of great dan
ger 70 the member from North Carolina, perhaps to
myself. l would have gone for the Sergeant again
thinking of it, but the difficulty was manifestly
precipitating and thought it would not to leave
him. The intruder used some offensive epithet
about slave holder l cannot remember it. Mr.
Craige said much excited Leave here, sir; will
not be insulted in this place by any such puppy,
or words Of some such import. The man retorted
with menacing attitude, You are slave holding
coward or words to that effect. Mr.. Craige struck
him and was struck about the same time in return,
the stranger sighting with his fists, contrary to my
expectations. Fighting, they moved towards the
Speakers desk. l followed, watching closely for
the weapon intending TO seize him if he attempted
to draw one. I was morally certain Mr.. Craige was
unarmed, though did not know the fact.
1.-THE man fought with more energy than I anti
cipated, but Mr. Craige evidently getting the
advantage of him, when he let 60 Mr. Craige; 1
thought then, 1 still think to get his weapon. l
sprang forward to seize him, but some other gen
tleman was ahead of me, and they we're instantly
separated. [ followed the intruder to the guard
room and saw him disarmed of a BoWie-knife and
revolver. The whole scene lasted but a few mo-
ments. I thought then, and still think, the object
Of the intruderWas to bring an assault and then
asssssinate. So far as what occurred in the House
of Representatives, it was one of the most deter
Intimately wicked and UnprOvoked assaults l ever
Witnessed"
Heller, alias Helper, was Immediately taken in
custody by one Of the assistant door keepers, who
delivered him over to the Sergeant at arms he was
found to have on his person Colts revolver and
Bowie-knife
Justice Arnold held preliminary examination,
at which the prisoner was released on bail until
four o'clock Senator Hale becoming security for his
appearance in the sum of $500. The Hon. Mr..
Crage was notified to appear, but declined prose-
cutting or taking any notice of the fellow, and he
was released giving security to keep the peace,
Montgomery Blair, Esq, becoming his bail.