Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-24
rrr,s HAVE GIVEN IT FAME.
Mississippi Island Where Benton
and Lucas Fought.

..+iop a stranger asks when he lands
!. rsst St. Louis is, "Where is Bloody
's1a,dy" He is lucky if be can find a
7.;Gont Of the place who can tell him. A
hw DAYS ago l passed nearly one entire
Sov in search of some one who could
ro,r+ ont the exact spot where Benton
~ Tucas fought, but searched IN VAN.
.Tney fought on the island, but don't
know at what particular place" came
49,, tho Inns of each ''old inhabitant" ia
..larrogated. and that was ali the lntOrma-
sion could get on the subject.
'yp1oodv Island :" so called from the nu-
,,ornus duels fought there, formerly Law
IN me middle of the Mississippi river,
,-itb me channel inclining to the Illinois
.nora. Its southern extremity was Few
bnndred Yards below the eastern ap-
Dro4rh to the great bridge, and it extended
IN the river about hall mile. Inc chsn-
~ ut the river swept around the island
Una east. and ferry boats from st. Louis
SDora compelled to make uetOurs above
md Mellow it to reach the Illinois shore.
TIC water was so shallow at times
m tine Missouri side that steamers
wore also compelled to make
landings on the Illinois side,
md the people OF st. Louis saw that UNI
less something was done they would soon
he cut of from inland navigation, and the
nIson become an isolated city. Therefore,
+, the wear 1888, steps were taken to re-
moUe the sand bars that had formed
ohove and below Bloody Island next
to the Missouri side, and some head
Syay was made by blowing up and loosen
lnG the sand on these bars, which was
washed away when the river rose again.
This did not do much good, and many
years later an appropriation was secured
from Congress and dyke and leyee built,
and thus was Bloody Island made part
pf the main land on the Illinois side, and
All the waters of the river turned against
the Missouri shore. The eastern channel
nj the RIVER soon filled up with debris,
dykes were built across IL, aud the ferry
ponpany moved it's wharfage to the west
nrn shore OF the island, and claimed the
new territory thus obtained under rlpa-
rian right. This gave rise TO much litiga-
tion between the ferry company and st.
Clair countys the case passed through
the Circuit and. Supreme COnrts of the
State, and was finally settled by the
United States Supreme Court de-
bidug In favor of the former. The island
was then laid off into lots, which were
sold to private parties, to companies and
railroads. The ground is now occupied
by numerous railroads, depots, round
houses. elevators, many elegant business
houses and some private residences. a
Hne school house also stands on the very
ypot where Bidde and Petus fought one
bt the bloodiest dueis that ever took place
in this country. Half a century ago the
island was lonely spot in the river; to-
hay 1t presents a scene of hustle and bust
ness scarcely eQualed in the West.
Two of the most notable duels fought on
Bloody Island were by Thomas II. Ben
ton and Charles Lucas, and Thomas
BidIle and Spencer Pettis. Benton locat-
ed in ST. Louis in 1916, and the next year
he went to the polls TO vote at general
election. Lucas stepped up and chal-
lenged him. Benton turned around and
denounced Lucas as scoundrel and
puppy. Both were brave Young men.
Lucas could not stand BentOn's denuncia-
ton, and he challenged him. They went
over to the island and fought just as the
sun was coming up over
the eastern bluffs. The bali
from BentOn's weapon cut one of the
veins in Lucas neck, and the seconds de-
cided that ne could not stand another
shot. After three months nursing Lucas
recovered, and the hostile parties again
met at sunrise on the same spot. Shots
were EXCHANGED ana Lucas received the
ball from Bent0n's pistol in his breast.
He died in less than half an hour. Before
dying he gave Benton his hand and said
he forgaye him. Benton was not touched
at either duel. Lucas was a young man
of much promise, and his death at the
hands OF Benton produced a deep feeling
in the community at the time, but the
blame was all charged to ''the code' SO
fashionable at that time.
spencer PetuS was a candidate for Con-
Rress in Missouri in 1880. He was a
Democrat, had served as Secretary of
stale and term in Congress. Maj.
Thomas Biddle, a paymaster In the Uni
ted States army, was also a candidate for
Congress, and seems to have been little
cranky" IN conducting the campaign.
Tie had married the daughter Of JOnn
Nulanphy, one Of the richest men in the
city, and was pulled up and arrogant.
lie wrote and had published numerous
articles ridiculing Pettis and stigmatiz-
ang him as pusillanimOuS and contempti-
pie. Pettis replied in a spirited manner
which had the effect of irritating and az
grayatlng Biddle's temper and inten-
siiylng his presumed grievance. The
account given of the tragic denoue-
ment by John p. Darby says that BIddle
called at the hotel where Petts boarded
one morning while the latter was sick
and unable to resist, and cowhided him IN
MS bed. When Pettis got well be chal-
lenged Biddle, and they fought on the
Island, Capt. Thomas acting as second
for Pettis and Ben O'Fallon for Biddle.
The weapons were pistols and the dis
lance between the parties only five feet
Wnen they reached out to fire the muz-
EIes OF their pistols almost touched Both
men TELL to the ground mortally wounded,
ana they were rapidly conveyed back to
tne city In skitfs. Petts died the next
Gay and Biddle the second day
alter the encounter. Previous to the
auei the whole population had assembled
on Inc Missouri shore to see what they
could OF 1t and learn the result as soon as
possible. Pettis was aged 20 and Bddle
few years older. Col. Benton was one
OIL the guests" who had been favored
VIII an invitation to witness the duel,
aud afterwards wrote a description of 1t
winch was copied into all the leading
newspapers OF the day. A few years later
uuei was fought on the island between
Judge Colt, brother OF the revolver invent
a. and another man, whose name | have
Iten unable 10 learn. The antagonist OF
C0lt was killed.
During the year 1926 Lionel Browne, a
Hephew OF Aaron Burr, aud Col. Jack
rmItl fought on the island, and Browne
vas Killed. 1t was claimed at the time
tHSl smith did not observe the rules OF the
coue, and fired before the seconds pro-
nounced the word three thus taking
advantage Of his antagonist. The duel was
Iuuuded on very trivial atfront, but it
Nashone the less tragic and savage. how
ever, smith was professional duelist,
ana had "A Cront IN nm T., ha