Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-04
Observation-Disclosures
"Reminiscences OF an Exciting
Event i'm the American Con-

Richmond Ind Telegraph.
The following letter from the Hon. l..
d. Campbell with regard To the most
exciting event in Congress that imme-
liatelv preceded the War Of the Rebel
lion. has boon received by Mr. Robert
q. Dormcr of this city, in response 10 a
request for the particulars Of the affair.
The letter was not intended for publlca-
ton. but, in velw OF its historic value,
Mr. ID. has permitted Us 10 put 1t IN
print:
HAMLroS, o., March 8, lS79-R q.
DJrm,r, ENg.--DEAR SIR: | am IN re-
ceipt Oi your letter OF the lst inst. am
the only living man who knows all
about the Brooks Burlingame affair,
about which YOU make inquiry.
Nou are clearly in error in regard To
the matter. IL occurred in those stormy
days, "A quarter OF century ago, when
kuurk-dOwns, the drawing OF bowie
knives and pistols were not infrePuent
an the halls Of Congress-, and duels
and rumors Of duels in Washington
senator Buffers Of South Caralina,
was Brooks uncle He was avery aged
man, lettering over the grave. He had
been stricken with paralysis, and trem-
BLEED Ike an aspen leaf. summer, IN
making very aggressive ant-Slavery
speech in the Senate, aSSalled Butler
anil referred 70 his weakness. Summer
was then - years Of age, fully six feet
high, we'll proportional, and a fine spe-
rimen Of physical development.
Brooks, the nephew, looked for Summer
on the avenue 10 chaStise him. Failing
10 fnd him he went 10 the Senate Cham
Der after the body had adjourned, and
there beat Summer over the head with
guttapercha cane feariully. | arrived IN
the Chamber soon aiterward, washed
the blood off Summer. and brought nun
10 consciousness. / also requested the
surgeon 10 sew up his sCalp-wounds and
take him 20 his clearinghouse.
The next dav being Chairman of the
WAYS and Means Committed | offered
3, resolution for an investigation, and
WAS appointed Chairman Ot the Com
mittec. subsequently, as Chairman,
reported a resolution 10 eNpel Brooks,
which was carried Brooks was re-elec-
ted and came back 20 the House OF Rep
reSCutatives.
Some months afterwarl Burlingame
male a carefully prepared speech IN
which he referred To Brooks, saying;
Gle stole into the Senate Chamber IN
rowardly way, and there smote the Sen
ator from Massachusetts, as Cain smote
his brother.
There was then a challenge expected,
OF course. However, friends interiered
and some explanations were ma le on
Ruriugame's part. which were accepted
hv BrOoks' friends, and published.
Tl.reupan the New England press
commented severely on Burlingamc
concessions, and charged him with
shnwir.. the wkty feather. These things
stunr him TO the quick Then Ion the
6rst time he came 10 me FOR counsel.
t1ll him II he did not really mean what
he said in his speech he ought Ia take II
hl,k uue,luivoCallv; il he did mean u,
h, rnuld afford 70 saw 50, and accept the
consequences. lie came out IN a earn
m the National Il'sliiNuCSr saying, IN
substance. that he maintained what ne
hsI said I'M his speech. THIS speedily
hroupht him what VAS IN substance
challenge.
II vas not delivered hy kci;t, as YOU
sunpose. but by Gcn. 10 Lane, OF Next
/ can War fame. then the Delegate from
/ Orr,-,n In simply invited Burlngam"
ont of the District OF Columbia 10 settle
| the affair. This, OF course, meant
/ rb,llenr,. and was So wOriel 20 evate
I tho Law OF Congress. Buringame again
I nr,ss,.l me into his service. | wrote
I he rsply and delivered IL 20 Gen. Lane
/ He'rsliea on me to name the place outside
/ "a the District. | named the CLIFTON
\ Hons. on the Canada side Of the Mag
| az, Fails. and the following Tues lay
morning AZ 6 O'clock" for the meeting
/ I sent Burlingame to New YORK the
same night 10 prevent his arrest
Two davs after this Lane came out IN
the papers Directing to the "Siitt3h
\ House. because IL was IN the Sor'n'
/ and he did not intend 10 take brooNs
Through the enemy's country. re-
piled that. being called on 70 name i
! place outside OF the district, L was not
| Tool enough 10 name Richmond OF
Charleston, - and take my friend through
his "enemv's country. Brooks vas
arrested and put under bonds. l tele-
yranhed Burlingame 10 return. lie dld So
lie too. WAS arrested and put under
bonds.--myself his surety. Burilngane
;mme,iiateiy left for the West.
soon aiterward Brooks and Lane, and
their friends, discovered that II was re
Sardei among duelists As td,do'cH OF.
their mart and that Burlingame' . record
was an right. Lane wrote TO me
,brsatenin0 letter, asking 10 open up the
sorr,-snondence, and saying that unless
7 informed mem where q lester vouiu
..b ~ Rnrlinrame by the next
Tuesday they would make efpes' e'c'