The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-21

friend near the old round stone tower at the southern end of the town of St. Charles.
 The deadliest and fiercest duel that Bloody Island" ever knew was that fought between Congressman Spencer Pettis and Major Thomas Riddle, Au- gust 27 1881. Pettis had come to Mis- souri young lawyer from Culpepper county, Va, in 1924. In 1925 he had been appointed secretary of state by Governor John Miller, and in 1928 was elected to congress. Major Riddle was a paymaster in the United States army and had married the daughter of John Mullanphy, one of the rich men of the west Riddle was fond of politics, and having ample means, aspired to seat in congress. About this time President Jackson made his war on the United States bank and broke 1t down by re- fusing to recharter 1t. Pettis, who had been a supporter of Jackson in that fla nous contest, became candidate Tor reelection, Then Riddle began to write articles for the newspapers abusive or PettiS, ridiculing the latter's claim as candidate and speaking contemptuous- ly of him. On one occasion he referred to Pettis as "a dish of skinned milk Pettis replied with spirit and vigor, each becoming more and more person. al. Early one morning Major Riddle appeared at the City hotel, corner of Third and Vine streets, and sent word to Pettis that gentleman want ed to see him. The night had been hot, and the congressman had spent most of it electioneering in the southern part of the city. In order to escape mosqul- toes and find a draft, Pettis had lain down in a hallway and was fast asleep. He sent back word for Riddle to go away and let him alone. Major Riddle rushed up stairs and fell upon Pettis with a cowhide. He piled his weapon fast and furiously, until Pettis got hold of a sword cane, with which he fought the major into a full retreat. Next day Riddle was arrested on a charge Of as sault to kill and bound over to the next term of the circuit court. Pettls was easily reelected to congress, and Bid dle went up to Prairie du Chien to pay off the army.
 During the majors absence Pettis applied to Captain Martin Thomas, an ex-officer of the army, to become his second in 8 duel, and went into train ing. Upon Biddle's return from the north he received a challenge from Pet lis and they agreed to meet at sunrise of August 27. Ben O'Fallon, brother of John, an ex-officer of the army, became Biddle's second. By reason of being the challenged party Major Riddle had the choice of weapons and distance. He chose pistols, and by reason of be- ing very near-sighted demanded the usual distance be reduced to five feet which was accepted. Thousands of people lined the river banks of North them John Mullanphy, who sat astride a big roan horse. They knew that it was duel to the death, with no chance of escape on either side. The contest ants rowed across in separate skiffs, | and when on the ground Ben O'Fallon said to Captain Martin: "If your prin- cipal shoots before the word is given l | will shoot you" Agreed" replied the captain, land I will shoot you if your principal fires before the word" Pettis ] won the choice of positions and both men took their places. The seconds stood at right angles between the prin- | cipals.
 "Are you ready?" asked Captain Thomas.
 we are,'' they said.
 | "One, two, three!'
 | There was but one report The shots
 were simultaneous, and both men fell
 mortally wounded. The pistols were | fifteen inches long and the outstretched arms caused the weapons to lap against
 each other. Riddle said to his surgeon:
 'I feel very much hurt, Dr. Lane. "
 Two days later he asked how Pettis
 was and then died. He was buried in | the old Catholic cemetery at Franklin
 avenue and the St. Charles Rock road
 and removed In later years to Calvary.
 Pettis on being brought back to St.
 Louis said to Judge Peck: Did I vim dicate my honor?" "Yes," said the
 judge, Hike a man of bravery sir. You | fought as bravely as any man ever | fought for his honor. Now die like a
 man.
 There was savage blood in the gentle men of those old days. Pettis died Au-
 gust 26, 1881, aged twenty years. | Senator Benton wrote a thrilling &C., count of the duel, which was read all over the world, especially in army cir cles, and it was declared the fiercest ! ever known under the "code of honor. | The whole town of St. Louis marched on foot behind the coffin of Pettis from ] Main and Green streets to Rutger' S ! Garden, where the burial took place. l There were duels afterward at Bloody Island" in one of which ex-Governor | B. Gratz Brown, then editor of the 1 Democrat, received a wound in the
 knee from a Winchester. When the
 code passed into disuse the prize-fight-
 CTS seized upon the island for their
 combats. and many were fought there,
 among them the mill between Tom Al
 len and Mike McCOole.-St. Louis Post Dispatch.
 It was rumored last evening that the ar