The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-11
FIGHTING CONGRESSMAN.
JOHN +. POTTER WANTED TO
FIGHT PRYOR WITH BOWIE
KNIVES.

porIanU Career hUNS OF Nhieh
Are Associated With Wen-KnOwn
Men.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Bowie knives and dark room and one
of us TO die I
That was the declaration OF Congress
man John Fox Potter. whose death is re-
ported yesterday at Trey, in Walworth
county, Wisconsin. His challenger was
Hon. Roger A. Pryor. then member of
Congress from Virginia, recently a figure
in politics In Greater New York and a
judge on the bench there As frequently
happens to fire-eaters both men have sur
vived the sanguinary opportunity that
Pryor entertained so resolutely, and replied
to in such determined spirit 1t was not,
however, only in the famous Pryor embro-
Clio that MIR. Potter got his fame as a
fighter or one willing to fight, and his
death has elected this story from the Hon.
Galusha A Grow, of the stirring incidents
in his life. When Brooks of South Caro-
lima beat Sumner, of Massachusetts, over
the head with stick, the members of both
Houses from the North saw that The sit
uation promised no end of fighting and
that it was time 10 take up a defensive po-
stion. The whole issue was that which,
being more strongly UNDERSIGNED, led 10
the civil war and TO which there is not
here needed definition. The abolitioAsts
in Walworth county, Wisconsin, decided
to send a robust man TO Congress and they
chose for the district in which their coun-
ty belonged the young man Potter who
had a focal popularity as an athlete. He
could wrestle and box with the biggest
lumbermen and had knocked out" the
greatest bully of that rude region and
time. Although his party was in the minor
ity they sent him TO Congress with orders
ito use an AK on the Southern members
who sought to provoke quarrels
In 1861 Mr.. Potter introduced and carried
through the homestead bill. He was a
member chairman of the investigating
committee for unearthing treason and dis
loyalty in government officers and de-
partments, and was the only member of
that committee who remained in Washing
ton through the heat of the summer for
the purpose of continuing the investiga~
tons. The Wisconsin residents of WASH
ington presented to him a testimonial In
recognition of his fathfulness to this
work. President Lincoln appointed him
consul general to British America and
resignation three years later, and then.
returning 10 his home in Wisconsin, re-
sumed the practice of his profession and
the cultivation of his farm.
Mr.. Grow takes up the story at this
point
The President, Mr.. Buchanan, had rec
commended the Lecompton constitution for
Kansas. which was, in fact. that Of Mis-
souri,, upon which the compromise rested
such, into the pro-slavery party's lap.
1t was matter to go to the territorial
committee, of which Mr.. Grow was chair
man, but which was by majority al che
disposal of the South. The plan was hit
upon 10 refer the question to a special
committee and the fight was so bitter that
it was carried into a night session, which
continued until long arter midnight
The House slept on its arms, so to
speak. About half past o'clock in the
morning Mr.. Grow, then standing on the
Democratic side of the House, objected to
Mr.. Quitman making any further re-
marks.
If you are going to object" shouted
Mr.. Keitt of South Carolina" return TO
your own side of the hall. You have no
business on this side anyhow"
Mr.. Grow responded: "ThIs Is a free
hail and every man has a right to be
where he pleases."
Like Kilkenny Cats.
Mr. Keitt then came up to Mr. Grow and
said: I want TO know what you mean by
such an answer as that" Mr. Grow re-
piled; Il mean just what / say; this is
a free hall and man has the right to be
where he pleases.'
Sir said Mr.. Keitt, 81 viii let you
know that you are black Republican
puppy"
"Never mind what am" retorted Mr..
Grow, Il shall occupy such a place in this
hall as l please, and no negro-driver shall
crack his whip over me-" The two then
rushed at each other with clenched fists
A dozen Souherners at once fastened to
the affray. while as many anu-Lecompton
men came to the rescue. and Keitt receiv-
ed from Grow a blow that knocked him
down. Mr.. Potter bounded into the CEN
ter of the excited group, striking right and
left with vigor. Washburne of Illinois
and his brother of Wisconsin, also were
prominent, and for minute or two il
seemed as though there was TO be a Kill
kenny fight on a magnificent scale. Barks-
dale had hold of Grow when Potter struck
him a severe blow, supposing that he was
hurting that gentleman. Barksdale
turning around and supposing that it was
Elihu Wasburne who struck him, drop-
ped Grow and struck out at the gentle
man from Illinois.
Cadwailader Washbume, perceiying the
attack upon his brother, also made a dash
at Mr.. Barksdale and seized him by the
hair, apparently for the purpose of draw
ing him into "chancery' and pummeling
him to greater satisfaction. Mr.. Banks
dale's wig came off in Cadwallader's left
hand, and his right fist expended itself
with tremendous force against the unre-
sisting air. This ludicrous incident I'M
quesdonably did much toward restoring
good nature subsequently, and its effect
was heightened not a little by the fact that
in the excitement of the occasion Barks-
dale restored his wig wrong side fore
most
POtter's First Appearance.
This was Mr.. PotteI's first appearance
as fighter and he made some very ef-
fectiye ''jabs." The speaker raped and
shouted for order. The sergeant-at-arms
stalkcd into the scene Of battle, mace in
hand, but his American eagle had no more
effect than the speakers gavel owen
Lovejoy and Lamar OF Mississippi.
were paving each other at one
point, each probably trying to per-