Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-02-17
BrawlB finn Congress.

tempt was made 10 assassinate General
Jackson on the portico Of the Capitol, at
O funeral ceremony, by Richard Lawrence,
painter by trade, and resident OF Wash
ington. He exploded two caps on the
pistols in the attempt. The pistols were
afterwards found to be well loaded, and
Jackson's escape was considered miracu-
lous. The would-be assassin was knocked
down and taken into custody. Gen. Jack
son always believed that this act was per-
petrated at the instigation Of some of the
friends Of the Bank.
Prior to this, in 1888, Gen. jackson was
assaulted while sitting down reading q
newspaper on the boat at Alexandria, but
the friends of the assailant succeeded
la getting him out Of the way In good
time.
IT was in these days that Henry A. Wise
made an ugly face at speaker Polk on the
street and spat at him.
In February, 1888, Mr.. Cilley of Maine
charged in his speech in the House that
James Watson Webb. editor of the New
York Courier and Enquirer, had receiv
ed a bribe of $52, 600 from the Bank of the
United States. Graves Of Kentucky took
up Webb's quarrel and Henry A Wise
bore his challenge to Cilley. General
George w. Jones was Cilley's second.
Bladensburg was the place and the weap-
ons were rifles. The rifles rang out and
both missed. The challenge was with
drawn TO give opportunity for reconcllia-
ton. The attempt failed and the princi-
pals again took position, Wise remarking
that if the matter was not terminated by
this shot he would propose to shorten the
distance. The rifles rang again and Cilley
fell dead.
Henry A Wise, the Ajax in these scenes.
struck Stanley, IRON North Carolina, q
blow at the race course. Stanley demand
ed the usual satisfaction. The demand
was withdrawn for explanation. Wise
explained that understanding Stanley
came in collision with him unintentionallY
near the race course, he deemed IL TO be
his duty, as gentlemen, to say that the
blow, inflicted by him ON Stanley through
a sudden impulse produced by erroneous
impressions, demanded his profound re-
gret." Stanley's friends told him he was
bound TO accept the explanation, which lie
did.
In 1912, Joshua r. Giddings of Ohio,
after having been expelled from the House
for an expression of his views on the sub
ject of slavery, was promptly returned to
his seat by his constituents. In q subse-
quent speech be said: 81 viii not speak
of the time when Dawson of Louisiana,
drew a bowie-knife for my assassination.
was afterward speaking with regard to
certain transaction IN which negroes were
concerned in Georgia, when MIR. Black of
Georgia, raising his bludgeon, and stand
ing in front of my seat, said TO me, 1f you
repeat that language again, / Will knock
you down 1t was solemn mOment Cor
me. had never been knocked down,
and having some curiosity on the subject,
repeated the language. Then Mr.. Daw-
son of Louisiana, the same one who had
drawn the bowie-knife, put his hand on his
pocket. and said, with an oath which
will not repeat, that he would shoot me,
at the same time cooking the pistol, so
that all around me could hear the click"
1t was in April, 1850, when the COM
promise measures were under discussion,
that the scene between Foote and Benton
took place In the Senate. Foote was max
ing a speech and making allusion TO Ben
ton. Benton rose hastily from his seat,
pushing his chair violently from him, and
without remark or gesture moved up the
aisle toward Foote, who was about twenty
feet distant Benton had no weapon in
his hand or upon his person. Foote, per-
ceiving Benton's movement, advanced 10
meet him drawing and cooking q i've
chambered revolver. Members interviewed,
and order was restored. Benton said
pistol had been brought to assassinate him.
Foote replied he had only brought it for
self. defense. Benton replied that was al
ways the pretext of an assassin.
In 1864, Churchwell and Cullum had
their ''set-to" in the House. Churchwell
pronounced language used by Cullum in
famously false. Cullum, who sat about
fifteen feet from Churchwell, sprang from
his seat with both fists appraised, and ex-
claiming, Cd d-n you, YOU d--n
rascal" tried TO ''get at" him. Cullum
said Churchwell drew pistol On him. The
Speaker pounded; the Sergeant-at-Arms
fumed and--held up his mace But
calm succeeded as it always does-after a
time.
1t was the 22d of May, 1856, that Pres
ton s. Brooks, q member of the House
from South Carolina, came into the Senate
Chamber and knocked down and beat Sen
ator Sumner, from Mass achusetts. Brooks
afterwards challenged Senator Henry VIII
son, who was opposed to the code. He
also challenged Burlingame, who accepted,
and named the Canada side at Niagara
Falls, and proceeded there. Brooks de-
elined to meet Burlingame at that point,
alleging that the place of meeting had
been expressly named because it would be
impossible for him to be present.
In the same year scene occurred i'm the
House between MIR. Sherman of Ohio
(now Secretary Sherman), and Mr..
Wright of Tennessee. Sherman tried to
throw handful of waters in Wright's face,
when Wright made an attempt to strike
HIM. Confusion and excitement prevail d
for moment, but was soon allayed.
A Sharp Race.