The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-01-18

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 12.-Hon. John
f. Potter. who for several terms rep
resented the old First Wisconsin Dis
trict Ia the House of Representatives,
and while there acquired the title of
"Old Bowie-Knlfe," is reported to be
dying at his modest country house in
Mukwonago, Waukesha county. Mr..
Potter's public history is an interest
ing one. A service Of one term, in
1867, in the State Legislature ex-
posed the true metal of the man, and
he was elected for three successive
terms to Congress, serving in the
Thirty fifth, Thirty-sixth and Thirty
seventh sessions Of that body. 1t was
not, however, until the last few weeks
Of his Congressional career. when
treason had raised its hand to stab the
Nation to death. that John F. Potter
came to the fore. In April, 1860,
there was a hot debate in progress in
the House. The precedent established
by the gag laws against which Joshua
R. Giddings had battled so long and
so faithfully existed then in every
thing but name as strongly as in the
past. Southern member after mem
Der had arose and poured his wrath
upon the heads Of the mudsills Of the
North. It was at this juncture that
Owen Lovejoy, of Illinois, a bold and
fearless man arose to reply. He de-
nounced the institution of slavery in
manner unheard of before in the
halls of Congress The Southerners
WINGED beneath his sledge-hammer
blows. Loyejoy marched down one
aisle and up another, among the
Southern members, shaking his fist in
their faces and denouncing them In
unmeasured terms. While this was
going on, Roger A. Pryor, a Virgin
ian, now a lawyer in New York City,
advanced to the center Of the hall in
towering passion, exclaiming: "The
gentleman from Illinois shall not ap-
proach this side of the house shaking
his fists and talking in the way he
has talked. It's bad enough to be
compelled to sit here and hear him
utter his reasonable and insulting
language, but he shall not, sir, come
upon this side Of the House shaking
his lists m our faces.
It was then that Mr.. Potter arose
and said: "We have listened to the
gentlemen upon the other side for
eight weeks, when they denounced
the members upon this side with vio-
lent and offensive language. We lis
tened to them gently and heard them
through. and now, sir, this side shall
be heard. let the consequences be what
they may"
"This, Of course, brought the brunt
of the battle on to Potter, and Pryor
was not slow to rain down his abuse
upon him. But the Wisconsin man
stood by his words, and on April u,
one week afterward, received a note
from Pryor, Mr.. Hindman, of Arkan-
sas, delivering it. 1t merely asked
Mr.. Potter to leave the District to
receive a written communication.
Mr., Potter answered that, as the note
contemplated duel, and that his dis
qualification was contained in the
Constitution of Wisconsin, he would
not leave the District. This was fol-
lowed by peremptory challenge,
which Potter accepted and quickly
named the common bowie-knife as
the weapon, the duelists to be locked
in room. Chisholm, Pryor's second,
protested against the use of so bar
barous weapon, but Lander, Potter
second, would consent to no Other
weapon, but offered to substitute him
self for Mr.. Potter with other weap-
ons. This, of course, could net be
agreed 30, and no further demands
were made upon Potter to fight, This
made Potter a great favorite with the
Republican party, and at the Conven-
ton which met at Chicago the JUNE
following he was presented by the
Missouri delegation with bowie
knife seven feet long, including thu
handle, with blade three inches il
width, which may now be seen hang
ing on the wall ofhis farmhouse. Th'
handle is Of ebony, and the blade C
beautifully polished steel. On on
side of the blade is the inscripti OF
presented to John F. Potter, of WIS
consin, by the Republicans of Mis-
souri,, 1850" On the opposite sid
was: Twill Always Meet Pryor
Engagement" The presentation too