The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-01

, 1t is. however, recorded as creditahle to
this great Missouri duelist's memory that
"he killed the most of the men he shot
in fair and open duels, where his own life
was at stake; in open. honorable, manly
warfare. And when he killed any man in
any sudden quarrel or broil, he always stood
his trial, and was always honorably ac-
quilted by a jury of his country.
So popular was the duel as Il means OF
settling controversies or avenging insults
that a small island in the river came to be
called Bloody Island" as it was this Sc
cluded spot that gentlemen" with real or
fancied grievances retired to shoot and re-
turn to their friends and relatives. or to be
shot and return no more.
Early numbers Of the st. Louis Gazette
show that the first important duel fought on
this island was in the year 1910, between Il
Doctor Farrar and James A. Graham Far
rar was the bearer of q challenge to Ora
ham-the record does not state from whom
and this Graham refused to accept on the
plea that the challenger was mot 4 gem
tleman." According to the established code
In such cases. farrar became the principal.
Graham received 2 severe wound. which
forced him to go upon crutches for a year.
The next Bloody Island' duel was be-
tween Captain Geyer and George H. Ken
nerly, which took place in 1876. Doctor
Simpson, an able physician of the time,
was present as Geyer's surgeon.
At the second fire kennerly was wounded
in the knee, and was famed from this a
number of years. These men afterward be-
came fast friends, and in old age. as the
heads of large families. they often laughed
over the hotheadedness of their early years.
In August. 1915, Captain Martin and
Thomas Ramsey. both of the First Regi-
ment United States Rifles, met on the island.
CAPTAIN RAMSEY DIED
OF HIS WOUNDS.
CaDfHin Rnp soy raopiyad n ,nrtal .yn,,pI
dying a few days after he was brought
from the island to his home in st. Louis.
One year prior to the Martin Ramsey
tragedy. on the 9Th of September. 1917. also
on Bloody Island" was fought the Ben
ton-Lucas duel, which. perhaps is regarded
to this day as one of the most sensational
Of American duels. owing to the high family
connection and political influence of both
participants.
The passing Of the last surviving child of
Senator Benton, Mrs. Jessie Benton Free
mont. who died at her home in Los Angeles,
Cal, in December. and the recent erecting
OF a monument, presented by the State in
Bellefontaine Cemetery. to the memory OF
Thomas Hart Benton, revives interest in
all that pertains to the man who repre-
sented Missouri in the Senate for thirty
years.
Senator Benton held rank with the best
of the duelists. as well as ablest politicians,
of his time. though it Is evident that the
most momentous duel that he ever ought
the one on Bloody Isand,' with young
Charles Lucas, was deeply regretted by
him. for long before his death. he destroyed
all correspondence and papers relating to
this ARRAY, and toward the end of his life
could never be brought to discuss any of
the details or particulars of the matter.
After the passage of eighty-six years
there is not a very clear light on the sub
ject, except sNch as can be conjectured from
those "Reminiscences of old st. Louis citizens
that are set down in printed form or from