Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-01-26
AN EPISODE IN NR. GROWS
CONGRESSIONA CAREER.

1t was on the morning ofFebruary
9th, 1858, that Mr.. Grow had the
most exciting experience in his life
on the floor of the House. 1t was
an all-night session, on the question
of referance of the Kansas message
Of President Buchanan, with the Lo-
compton Constitution to Il select
committee. The time was being
taken up by filibustering roll-cals
on motion to excuse absent members
and on motions 20 adjourn. Pend
ing one Of these, about two O'Clock
at night, General Quitman, of Miss
issippi, asked unanimous consent to
address the House. Grow who had
just left the seat of John Hickman,
on the Democratic side, and was
passing down the aisle towards the
area in front of the speakers desk,
objected Qutman commenced to
speak, and Grow again objected.
Lawrence NJ. Keitt, Of South Caro-
lima, who was seated two or three
seats away on the next aisle, spoke
up in rather sharp tone of voice,
and said: "If you are going to OBJ
ject go over to your own side-you
have no business over here anyhow
Grow replied: This is q free hall,
and everybody has q light to go
where they please" Keitt left his
seat, and passed down the aisle next
to him into the area and then up the
aisle in front of Grow, accompanied
from the area by Reuben Davis, OF
Mississippi. Kcitt said to Grow
what did you mean by such an
answer ?" Grow replied IL mean
just what said, This is Il free hall,
and shall be where I please. "
Where upon Keitt, attempted TO
seize Grow by the throat, said /: "You
are damned black Republican
p1ppy." Grow, knocking his hand
TO one side, sal: : "No matter what
{ am, no slave driver can crack
his whip over me- Keitt again
grabbed at Grow, and Grow with his
left arm parred of, and with the
clinched fist of his right knocked
Keitt down lengthwise of the aisle.
Barksdale, of Mississippi, who was
sitting first seat from the aisle,
directly opposite Grow, sprang up
and caught around Grow with both
arms. While in this position John
+. Potter (of bowie>knife fame)
came up, striking out right and left,
and seeing Barksdale hold of Grow,
hit him. Barksdale not knowing
exactly where the blow came from,
and turning his head partly around,
saw Elihu Washburne nearest to
him, and, supposing the blow came
from him, he let go of Grow and
grabbed Washburne. Cadwallader
Washburne coming up then, and
seeing his brother and Barksd
eiinched, struck out at Barksdale
and the blow, glanced along Barks-
dale's head, knocking oil his wig.
Phsreupon Barksdale let 90 of Eihu
and stooping down, picked up his
WIG. and in replacing it he got it on
hsck side first. His grotesque ap.
psannce caused those near by to
bur~t out into loud laugh, which
made everybody stop and look
around 10 see what il all meant, and
in an instant there was lull, with
everybody looking around at each
other. In this l1ll the speaker
who had been pounding on his desk
with his gayel and calling for order
directed the Sergeant at-arms 10 en-.
force order. lie had just returned
90 the hall from leading Keltt-as
soon ~ be got on his feet-out at
the side door into the corridor In
the rear Of the speaker. desk. lie
advanced as rapidly a. possible,
holding aloft the mace, into the midst
Of the eombatants AT this tima the
area In front Of the speaker aud the
aisle In which Grow stood was pack
Cd fall Of members of both palitietl
parties, most ~ them pullhauliug at
eaeh other, aud everybody Ia tho