The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-05-21
A Famous Affair OF Honor.


day the exciting scenes of the famous
Roger A.. Pryor, said Ex-Governor Army
of New Mexico to the writer the .othe1
evening, pulling between sentences ut his
cigar. It was during the memorable
contest for Speaker when Gen. N. P.
Banks of Massachusetts, was elected only
after many weeks of incessant balloting:
A sharp discussion had taken place, dur
ing which Mr.. Potter was very severe on
Mr.. Pryor, and intimated that he was re.
sponsible for all he uttered on the fool
Of Congress or elsewhere. The gallery
was crowded with many ladies, among
whom was Mrs. Pryor, proud and high
spirited Southern lady. I saw her de-
liver a note to page, which he handed
to Mr.. Pryor, and in a few moments the
latter wrote, sealed and handed to Mr..
Keith q letter, which the s'friend" laid
on Mr.. Potter's desk. This little scene
was witnessed by many members, and in
twinkle it was surmised that there was
''blood on the moon" The principals
retired, and word was spread about the
sity that a duel was on the tapis. The
city authorities took the matter in hand
and officers were dispatched in every di-
rection with instructions to arrest the
principals and seconds, and at all hazards
to stop the bloody work.
This chase was kept up for three days,
B1adensburg and Big Falls, the noted
duelling grounds, being specially watch
ed, but no trace of the sanguinary Con.
gressmen could be found. Excitement
ran high, and rumors of the widest kind
were afoat 1t was learned afterward
that while the police were passing rest
less days and sleepless nights in vain
search for the knights of the duello, they
were snugly quartered in room on
the top floor of the National Hotel
in the city of Washington, in lively
wrangle over the choice of weapons.
Potter, who was the challenged party,
claimed the right to elect the mode OF
dealing death, and he chose the bowie
knife. Mr.. Landers, who was Mr.. Pot
ter's second, was surprised at this selec-
ton, and suggested that it looked too
much like murder, but finding that his
principle was inexorable he sent for Mr..
Pryor and stated the proposition.
Il will not fight that way" said Mr..
Pryor; sit is an unheard of proceeding,
and not tolerated by the CODE
Mr.. Landers responded: "You have
issued the challenge and we have the
choice of weapons.
''No gentleman would ask to fight that
way" spoke up the impetuous and now
thoroughly aroused Pryor.
''Do you mean to say that I am no
gentleman" quickly responded Mr..
Landers; 'tmy principle is out of the
way, and will fight you on any terms
you propose"
''Mr. Pryor answered: ST have moth
ing to do with you, sir; my quarrel is
with Mr.. Potter"
It was during this prolonged absence
of the belligerent Congressman that a
funny scene occurred in the House.
There was German member from Penn
sylvania who was troubled with the yell
low jaundice, and had to be brought into
the sessions daily on cot. He spoke in
broken English, and during roll call
after Mr.. Potters name had been called, =,
he called out:
s'Mishter Speaker, wishes to rise a
privileged question. Mr.. Potter, the
shentleman whose name has shust been
called, has a Pryor engagement, and
can't be here"
This sally was received with shouts of
laughter and applause. When Mr..
Pryor's name was called, this same
spoke to privileged question. and said
the House that Mr.. Pryor is ash clay in
the hands of de Potter"
It was while the laughter that greeted
this second sally of the Pennsylvania in
valid was still at it's height that Mr..
Pryor walked in and took his accus-
toned seat. He was instantly surround
ed by his friends, with whom he held an
earnest conversation for few moments,
detailing the circumstances of the three
terrible days, and explaining the extra
ordinary terms proposed and insisted
upon by Mr.. Potter. It was at first be-
1ieved that the duel had taken place, and
that Mr.. Potter was either killed or
badly wounded. The excitement was
intense, and all business suspended.
Mr.. Pryor was followed in few mo-
ments by the two seconds. This lent ad-
ditional force to the supposition that a
duel had taken place with serious re-
suits, and recess was taken, the Dutch
member exclaiming: sThe Pryor en-
gagement of Mr.. Potter is ended" It
was subsequently, learned that Mr.. Pot
ter was firm in his peculiar method of
dueling, and Mr.. Pryor point blank re-
fused to participate in what he termed
downright murder.
'sYou have been in public life great
many years, Governor said the re-
porter; ''have you never engaged in a
duel?"
"Well," answered the Governor,
laughingly, 81 never had real fight,
but I was seriously challenged. I had a
controversy with Colonel Rigg, United
States army, who was stationed at Santa
Fe, in New Mexico. He challenged me
in all seriousness, but being non-com-
batant, at first told his second that 1T
was against my principle to fight, and
that must be excused. Before he de-
parted reconsidered, and consented to
meet the warlike Colonel. Being the
challenging party, had the right to
choice of weapons, and I selected two
cannons, with the understanding that
each of us was to take one, place them
in canyons 40 miles apart, and at given
signal we were to blaze away at each
other until We got tired. When Colonel
Rigg received my response he laughed
and said, D that man Army and
soon afterward left the Territory.-M.
Y. Star.
How IT WAS AFTER HIS MONEY WAS
GoNE.-Thecase of Congressman Voorhis,
of Hackensack, New Jersey, is painful
illustration ofthe fitting of summer friend
when adversely comes. He was esteem
extravagent, and friends clustered about
II ol.s n. L.