Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-06-05
A FAMOUS FIGHT RECALLED.

A FAMOUS FIGHT RECALLED.
The story Of : Murder In the Arkansas
House Of 1spressntstivs-xhs speaker
1hrusts z Kni1s Into the Heart Of Nam
berthe Trial Only : raros.
Senator Garland, Of Arkansas. seems
to be fated for the Cabinet. As he
represents Arkansas, friend out there
sends to "Gath" sketch of the Arkan-
sas Legislature about 1910, which every
body will read with interest. It is the
only full account of this well-known
duel have ever seen. At the last ses-
sion of the Legislature of that state (1837,
says my correspondent, Col. John Will
son, president Of the bank ut Little
hock, the capital of the state, was
elected speaker Of the house of repre-
sentatives. He had been elected to that
Office for number of years successive
~, and was one of the most Influential
citizens of the state. While presiding
over the deliberations of the house he
took umbrage at words spoken III de-
bate by Major Anthony, conspicuous
member, came down from the speakers
chair, drew large bowie-knife from
his bosom and attacked Major Anthony,
who defended himself for some time,
but was at last stabbed through thu
heart and fell dead on the floor. Will
son deliberately wiped the blood from
his knife and resumed his seat. The
following statement of the circum-
stances of the murder and the trial of
the murderer is abridged from the &C
count published in the Arkansas Ga.
zette few months since. It is here taken
from the Knoxville CTennessee) Regis
ter, July. 4, 1888:
"On the l4th of December last, Major
Joseph j. Anthony, member of the
Legislature of Arkansas, was murdered
while performing his duty as member
Of the House of Representatives by
John Wilson, Speaker Of the House.
The facts are these: A bill came from
the Senate commonly called the Wolf
bill. Among the amendments proposed
was one by Major Anthony, that the
signature Of the President OF the Real
Estate Bank should be attached to the
certificate of the wolf scalp. COL VIII
son, the speaker, asked Major Anthony
whether he intended the remark as per-
sonal (Wilson couldn't write it is said.
--Gath.) Major Anthony promptly
said "No, do not" At that instant
of time message was delivered from
the Senate, which suspended the pro.
ceedings of the House for few minutes.
Immediately after the messenger from
the Senate had retired Major Anthony
arose from his seat, and said he wished
to explain that he did not intend to in
suit the Speaker of the House, when
Wilson, interrupting, peremptorily or
dered him to take his seat Ma
ior Anthony said as member he
had right to the floor to explain
himself. Wilson said, in angry
tone, sit down, or you had bet
ter, and thrust his hand into his bo-
som and drew out large bowie-knife,
ten or twelve inches in length, and de-
cended from the speakers chair with
the knife drawn in a menacing manner.
Major Anthony, seeing tue danger he
was placed in by Wilson's advance on
him with drawn knife, rose from his
chair, set it out OF ills way, stepping
back pace or two and drew his knife.
Wilson cought up chair and struck
Anthony with it. Anthony recovering
from the blow, caught the chair in his
left hand, and fight ensued over the
chair. Wilson received two wounds,
one on each arm, and Anthony lost his
knife either by throwing it at Wilson, OF
it escaped by accident. After Anthony
had lost his knife Wilson advanced
ON Anthony, who was then retreating,
looking over his shoulder. Seeing
Wilson persuing HIM, he threw a chair.
Wilson still persued, and Anthony
raised another chair as high as his breast,
with view, it is supposed of keeping
| Wilson off. Wilson then caught hold
of the chair with his left hand, raised
it up, and with his right hand deliber.
ate]y thrust his knife into Anthony's
heart, seeing that spot under the chair,
and drew it out; and wiping off the
blood with lis thumb and finger retired
GAS the knife was withdrawn from
Anthony's heart, he fell corpse on
the floor, without uttering word, or
scarcely making struggle, so true did
the knife, as deliberately directed,
pierce his heart. Three days elapsed
before the constituted authorities took
any notice Of the horrible deed; and
not then, until relation Of the MUIR
dered Anthony dem anded warrant for
the apprehension Of Wilson. Several
! days elasped before he was brought
before an examining court He then,
in carriage and four, came to the
place appointed for trial. -Four or five
days we're employed in the exa1nina-
ton of witnesses, and never was clear
er case of murder proved than on that
occasion. Notwithstanding, the Court
| (Justice Brown dissenting) admitted
Wilson to bail, and positively refused
that the prosecuting attorney: for the
State should introduce the law to show
that it was not bailable case, or even
to hear an argument from him. At
the time appointed for the session of
the Circuit Court Wilson appeared
agreeable to his recognizance. A mo-
tion was made by Wilson's counsel for a
change of venue, founded on the affi-
davits of Wilson and two other men.
The Court thereupon removed the case
to Saline county. The Sheriff of ulaski
never confined Wilson one minute, but
permitted him to go where he pleased,
without guard or any restraint imposed
on him whatever. On his way to Saline
he entertained him freely at his own