The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-05-29
FAMOUS FIGHTS IN coroanss.
Benton-Tocte Battle and the Encoun.
ter Of Pryor and Potter.


Philadelphia Times: The Tillman-
McLaurin fist fight on the floor of the
senate recently caused the recital of
former ARRAYS In congress.
The nearest approach TO tragedy In
the senate was in 1850. At the con-
clusion OF a violent debate. Senator
Benton OF Missouri barred his breast to
Senator Foote of Mississippi and dared
him to shoot. The exciting incident
arose out OF the bitter ante-bellum de-
bates. Foote had been remorselessly
attacking the motives and deeds OF the
northern senators In their policy to-
ward the South. This debate became
very heated In April. On Sept. II,
Senator Benton claimed that n certain
newspaper article had been supervised
and approved by Senator Foote. This
article represented TO be report of the
remarks INDUCED In by the Mississippi
senator personal to the senator from
Missouri.
In the midst OF this debate, Senator
Foote interrupted the senator from
Missouri, and for the time had the floor.
While he was making some reference
10 Benton. the latter walked excitedly
toward him. The report OF the affair
Is very explicit In stating that Senator
Benton was unarmed He mnde no
sign OF being about to make an assault,
but his angry face alarmed the sena-
tor from Mississippi.
Senator Foote started TO run away,
and Senator Benton Increased his
speed. As Benton came after him. Foote
hurried along and drew a five chamber
cd revolver as he ran. Benton was In
full chase. lie did not SEE the weapon.
L..s Ia.
overtake Foote. Senator Dodge Of Wis
consin reached Benton. and begged him
for Gods sake To 40 nothing which
would compromise him with the SEN
ate. Benton was finally persuaded
10 turn and retrace his steps. lie looked
over his shoulder. and caught the first
sight Of the senator from Mississippi
with the revolver in his hand. This
aroused him to frenzy of despera-
ton. lie broke away from Dodge and
rushed back at Foote. Tearing open his
waistcoat and his shirt. he dared his
breast TO the Mississippi senator. who
was brandlshing the revolver In his
hand. He had cooked the weapon a.
he turned. when he saw that he could
run no farther.
Benton stood within n few feet Of
ham. and with his naked bosom as a
target. dramatically cried 20 Foote:
II am not armed.
II have no pistol.
II disdain to carry firearms.
LET him fire.
stand out OF the way and let the
assassin fire"
As may be imagined. there was q
scene OF the most Intense excitement In
the old senate. now the chamber OF the
hall OF Justice Of the United States su-
preme court Covering at the. front OF
the presidents desk was the thorough
ly frightened Foote. Towering over
him was the gigantic Benton. He was
In a rage that would have made the
gods proud. Slowly Footo wilted. He
sank into n chair. and finally Dickin-
son, OF New York, came and took the
revolver away from him.
A senate committee Investigated the
matter and did not require the belliger-
euts to apologize. The gist OF the re-
port was that the senator's probably
felt badly enough and an apology was
not necessary. 10 was urgently recon-
inended that the practice Of carrying
concealed weapons In the senate be dis
pensed with.
One of the most famous fights In con-
gress took place I'm the house I'm 1860,
and nearly led To duel with bowie
knives between Roger A. Pryor. OF Vir-
ginia. and John +. Potter OF Wiscon-
sin. l.dge Pryor. since became cele-
brated as a leading lawyer in New
York. during the years shortly preced-
Ing the war was radical states right
partisan and bitter In his denuncia-
tions Of the North. Potter was native
Of Maine, and had acquired prominence
ms lawyer in Wisconsin when he was
sent to congress to represent the First
district OF Wisconsin. now represented
by Mr.. Cooper. chairman OF the COM
mlttee on insular affairs.
The alteration between him and
Judge Pryor occurred over q speech in
the house by owen Loyejoy concern
Ing the assassination OF his brother,
Elijah =. Lovejoy, at Alton, H., for
denouncing slavery In his newspaper.
Lovejoy's speech was one of the strong
est deliveries against slavery ever
heard In the house, and led to n scene
OF excitement and tumult IN which Pot
ter became involved.
He struck Representative Barksdale.
of Mississippi. who wore wig. some
thing not suspected by any member OF
the house. and the hlrsute adornment
went flying In one direction, while its
owner went In another. As a result OF
blows exchanged Judge Pryor challeng-
ed Potter To u duel Duels were more
common In those days than now. when
an appeal to the code ducllo IL held in
derlsion. Pryor was rated an expert
pistol shot. which Potter learned. and
when the seconds Of the virglnian
called upon the representative from
Wisconsin to ascertain what weapons