The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1882-04-20


unprejudiced mind?
Hon John r. Potter of East Troy
better known as Bowie Knife Pot
ter" and personally well known to
many Appletonians, Is nigh unto
death. As congressman, he neither
bribed nor was bribed.-Apptefon
{ Wis Crescent.
John F. Potter, at one time, Wa
more talked about than any other
man i'm the country. 1t was before the
war, and when the fiery Southron
with bludgeon and pistol was at
tempting to brighten the little band OF
Northern men who dared to stand up
in the House and in the Senate at
Washington and speak boldly against
the institution of slavery. One of
those brave souls was John F. Potter
Roger A. Pryor had been offended by
the words of Potter, and challenged
the latter to a duel. By the "cOde of
honor" Potter was entitled to q
choice of weapons. He chose that
they each should he armed with a
bowie knife, and that q dark room
should be the scene Of the conflict.
This ludicrous designation never took
place. Pryor never came to time, and
the whole country uttered q great, pro.
longed outlaw. such men rs Potter.
who had the courage to shake their
fists Mt the brow beating fire-eatsrs,
were invaluable in our Houses Of Con-
gress, the few years preceding the
great conflict. We believe II was Pot
ter, too, who had an alteration with
Barkesdale at an entertainment, and
amused the company by grasping the
wig Of the Southern Statesman and
holding it up to public view, As cop
per-hued warrior would hold up q
bloody scalp. In memory Of Potter's
alteration with Pryor, huge bowie
knife-some twelve feet long<syhen
opsned-was manufactured By order
of certain admirers Of Potter who were
residents of Missouri, ani it was pre-
scented to the bold Wisconsin Con-
gresham. On the blade was inscrib-
ed the telling legend Potter had q
Pryor engagement" In another place
was the inscription: Presented
to Hon. John F. Potter by the citizens
of Missouri" Mr.. Potter presented
this fierce looking instrument To Law
renee L University Of Appleton, Wis,
and it Is new preserved in the muse
um of that institution as . reminder
to the rising generation Of the times
that tried mems souls, and of the bold
men who did 50 much to save our gov
eminent from drifting to destruction.
1t should become rs interesting .
relic as the double-handled sword OF
Wallace at Dumbarton, or the sword
of "old Ironsides" at Hampton Court.
Since Potter LEFT Congress he seems to
have been almost forgotten. He was
for season Consul General to Canada
Montreal, We think but since then
has had no oficial trust Like some Of
our Kansas men who were famous In
the days Of the territorial struggle and
are now living in retirement, Potter.
too, IL an humble citizen. We under
stand that he has been denied even
peace and prospeFity"in private life:
that his property has been taken from
him to pay . security debt: that he hes
been IN invalid for several years and
that he has been heavily bereaved by
the los of loved ones Of the home circle.
But 20 long - Republics are ungrate-
full, and 20 long - men will engage In
public life, they must be satisfied to
taste the bitter - well - the sweet
which hes always been reserved for
those who have trodden the same
paths.