Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-15
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! AKAHsAs FIGHT N CONGRESS

The death of ex-Judge and ex-Con
gresham John Fox Potter, of Wiscon
sin, he of the "bowie knife recall!
the stirring times when he earned
that sobriquet.
Potter entered congress in the first
year of Buchanans administration
James L. Orr of South Carolina wa.
speaker. 1t was time when there
was no personal safety for any North
ern man who dare to utter sentiments
T displeasing to the shareholders of the
South. Scenes of violence were of fire.
quent occurrence. The ruftianly as.
sault by Preston Brooks upon Charles
Sumner had been made in the senate
chamber the year before, and Sumner
was still disabled. his seat in the sen.
ate meantime remaining vacant, be.
cause Massachusetts refused to elect
anyone' to take the place of her repre-.
sentative who had been brutally
struck down at his post of duty. Bal
timore pluguglies frequently sat in
the gallery with reyolvers on their
knees, ready to fire down upon the
Northern representatives if there
should be row. Potter was man OF
stalwart frame, hardened by expert.
ence as pioneer, uncompromisingly
positive in declaring and standing by
what he believed to be right, and
while not reckless or pugnacious, ut,
terly fearless of bodily danger On
more than one occasion he taught the
hot blooded Southerners by practical
demonstration that if they provoked
Northern men too far they would en-.
counter peril.
He was opposed to the bill pending
In congress which provided for the ad.
mission of Kansas under the Lecomp.
ton constitution, which had been
framed for the interests of slavery.
During the discussion of that bill
free-for-all fight occurred on the floor
of the house which resulted in a chal.
lenge for duel between Roger A.
Pryor of Virginia and Mr.. Potter.
Immediately after the challenge was
received Mr.. Potter wrote the famous
letter of acceptance which earned
for him the sobrquet of Bowie Knife
Potter His letter to his second Col.
F. W. Lander, and the latter's note to
Pryor's representative, were as fol.
lows:
Washington, April ~, 1s6O.-Dear
LANDER have this moment received
the inclosed note from Roger A.
Pryor. have given him no just cause
for offense, but it is evident that the
freedom of speech on the floor of the
House of Representatives is here
threatened through me, and my life
is sought as means of accomplishing
that result. Repulsive as is to me the
idea of resorting to what is falsely
known as the code Of honor there
may be such thing as a choice be.
tween that and assassination. Evi.
IDENTIFY no cause exists for calling upon
me to respond in this case other than
a desire to put me out of the way.
am ready to give up my life, if neces.
sary, to prevent bloody contest on
the floor of the House, which, seems
to threaten.
You are authorized to make the
necessary arrangements for me. I
will fight him with bowie knives at
such time and place as you may de-
termine. Very truly your friend,
John +. POTTER.
Sol. Lander to Mr.. Chisman:'
April IL, 1S60.-Sir: | have to state
that my principal, Hon. John +. Pot
ter, disclaiming the particular rules of
the code, will fight Hon. Roger A.
Pryor with the common bowie knife
at such place, private room or open
air, in this district, as we may agree
upon in the next twelve (12) hours.
Distance four feet at commencement
OF engagement. Two seconds present
to each principal. Seconds restricted
10 one navy revolver each, Knives OF
principals OF equal weight and length
of blade. Fight to commence at the
word three (3). The calling of the
tally and the word to be decided by |
turning a piece of money. | have the
honor to be, most respectfully,
IF. w. LANDER"
The real cause OF the duel was
brought, on, however, before the
light, when Pryor engaged in dis
cusslon with Potter about the assas-
OF Elijah 2. Lovejoy. This
was just before the war broke out.
The challenger was Mr.. Pryor and,
therefore, Mr.. Potter was permitted
to choose the weapons. Much discus
slop was occasioned by the choice of
the peculiar lethal weapons, and Pry-
Or backed from his challenge, saying.