The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1882-04-06
KENTON'S LAST DUEL.

KENTON'S LAST DUEL.
And How He Was Forced to Kill Young
Charles Lucas, by the Attempt to Drive
Him From st. Louis In 1917.
The centennial birthday Of the Hon.
lhomas Hart Benton Was commemorated
ID st. Louis with q public meeting under
the auspices ct the st. Louis horticultural
society, the principal feature OF which was
an interesting address BY Hon. Thos. T.
CAN'T. In the course of his address. M.
Can't gave an Interesting account Of the
famous duel on Rhode Island on 1917.
between Thomas Benton, then thirtv-fiye
years Of age and Charles Lucas, son Of the
celebrated Judge Lucas who went from
Plttsburg to st. Louis in 1903 It grew
out OF an attempt to drive Benton from St.
Louis, where his growing political power
was gradually becoming fatal to the SUI
premacy OF the Lucas faction. We quote
this interesting narrative from Mr.. Ganst's
address: :
At that time st. Louis was rapidly grow
ing from it's condition as French hamlet
to that of an American town. It was the
largest town in the territory. Many per-
sons had hocked hither upon the acauisi
ton Of the Louisiana territory by the treaty
OF 1903, and st. Louis was the abode Of
the principal wealth and commerce of the
upper part of this region. Ofthese new COM
erss the wealthiest and most influential was
the late Judge B. G. Lucas. By the concur
rent testimony of friends and foes he was
man OF large natural capacity, unusual &C.
quirements, and dominant will. He
had represented Pennsylvania in the
United States Congress prior to 1903.
and MIR. Jefferson appointed him Judge of.
the court Of common pleas for the
territory soon after the treaty of ces-
In 1917 and until 1861, the general elec-
ton in Missouri was held on the first Mon
day in August. In 1917 no one was per-
mltted to vote who had not paid terri
torlal or county tax, assessed at least six
months prior to the election. It has been
said that Benton was the recognized
LEADER OF TaE ANTI.LUCAs PARTY,
Charles Lucas, a son of Judge Lucas, was
a young man of unusual promise, both as
lawyer and politician. To him his
father locke d as the representative of his
interests and on him was imposed the duty
of taking aggrs ssive measures to drive Ben
ton from the political field. speak, as I
have already said, from information re-
ceived from Col. Lawless. According to
him there was no doubt in his own or
Benton'a mind, Of the plan proposed; and
of course no one could doubt of the fierce
opposition likely to be made to it by Ben
ton. He was throughout his lie the enemy
OF compromises and half measures, and
without the least injustice he may be called
an extremist. He was fast friend, but
bitter enemy; and When he drew the sword
he cast the scabbard away. One of his
staunchest friends and one who approached
most nearly to his GREATNESS claimed for him
when he addressed us on the unwilling of
his stature, that he was
LOFTY and sour to those that loved him not
But to those men that sought him sweet as sum-
mer."
That the first line of the couplet was well
applied all agree.
1t was a some what perilous enterprise,
that of driving Benton from the political
field, which means from St. Louis. SUD-
posing it to have been really entertained.
What was done in the execution Of it was
not judicious. It was resolved that Charles
Lucas should challenge his vote at the
August election in 1917, and should allege
as the ground of his challenge that Benton
had not paid his taxes. COL Lawless stated
that his course was agreed upon at con-
ference of the Lucas mon, and that the
choice of Charles Lucas az their spokes-
man was determined by lot.
When the challenge was made Benton
denied the ground of it, and on it's repe-
tition by Charles Lucas demanded to be
sworn as the law directed. He advanced
haughtly to take the oath, saying to
Charles Lucas, "Out of my way. you
puppy!" The bystanders interfered; but in
that day there could be but one issue to
such an alte rcatiop. Benton had unequiv-
ocally placed what is technically called the
omeus on Charles Lucas, who promptly
challenged him. They met with pistols
as the arms and ten PAGES as the distance,
on Bloody Island, opposite st. Louis, and
Charles Lucas was dangerously wounded.
Judge Lucas was greatly disappointed.
His evaporation was extreme. He had
hoped for the death of Benton, and now
his favorite son was dangerously, ind it
was at first believed, MORALLY wounded.
The symptoms improved, however, and the
sufferer was soon pronounced out of dan
ger. Some Of his friends spoke of his
soon being able to renew the fight with
Benton.
Il HAVE NO FIGHT TO RENEW
said Charles Lucas. Benton could not
have done otherwise than be did. 1 don't
NASsAAS AAAAA ~ VAO ACu0us LII 1uCLt
and my friends have been entirely in the
wrong in this matter. I am glad am get
ting we'll, but have no quarrel with Ben
tom" It was told to Benton by common
friend Of both that Charles had thus ex-
pressed himself. Benton authorized this
gentleman to say to Charles Lucas that he,
Benton, deeply regretted the meeting and
Its consequences; that he was delighted
that these consequences were less serious
than he had at first feared; that his best
knowledgements were due for the manly
frankness with which Charles Lucas had
spoken, and that no one more sincerely
than himself wished for his early and COM
plete recovery. This message was deliver
ed and Charles Lucas expressed himself
much gratifed, and sent word to Benton
that as soon as he left his sick. room he
would offer him his hand. Benton was
much moved. He said that if Mr.. Lucas
would permit him he would be glad to an
ticipate the period of complete cure and in
person express his own feelings Charles
Lucas replied that such visit would give
him great pleasure 1 Benton accompa-
friends of Nh. Lucas were also present and
the interview was most satisfactory.
The reconciliation appeared to be complete.
It appears that Judge Lucas had not
been taken into the councils Of his son on
this occasion; and when he became aware
"a - A. 4 a .