Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1912-10-11
DUELSINM MISSOURI
The Field Of Honor Was a Com
mon Resort a Century Ago.
BATTLES ON BLOODY ISLAND.


The Biographies used In the schools
today do not-show Bloody island, a
one time notorious duellng resort in
the Mississippi river near st. Louis.
The spot remains, but II n no longer
an island. II now is a part Of East
81. Louis
The opprobrious title was derived
from the many sa%nguinary encoun.
tiers which took place on the island
Here Il was that the fatal affaire
d'honneur between Thomas II. Ben
ton and Charles II. Lucas took place.
One day IN 1915 these two men en-
gagged in trying a lawsuit. n repre-
senting the plaintiff and the other the
defendant Lucas was twenty-five
years old, son Of a judge and the dis
trict attorney Of the territory. Benton,
too. was we'll known and later became
United States senator. Lucas won the
case. His opponent accused him 81
Juggling with the evidence. The &C
c~usation was resented. and II was re-
sponsIble for a challenge Issued by
Benton. Lucas refused tn fight. Ray
ing that he could not be held account
able for defending his client
Bad blood ensued, and from time to
time the two men the next year often
engaged in harsh words. Finally on
an election day Benton questioned
Lucas right to vote. saying that the
other had not paid bis taxes. 1t irked
Lucas. who later referred to his enemy
as a puppy" This a%ppellation was
too much for Benton who again chat
lenged Lucas to a duel. This time the
challenge was accepted.
The two men met on Bloody island
Aug. 10. 1917. The encounter took
place at a distance of thirty feet. Lu
cas- fell with a bullet in his neck upon
the exchange of shots. Upon the adj
vice OF seconds Lucas declared himself
satisfied. The men shook hands and
went to their homes. The wound was
not dangerous. A few days later the
two men met on the street again, and,
like two schoOlbOys, another fight was
planned This time 1t was to be at a
distance Of only ten feet Lucas was
mOrtally wounded. Benton was unin-
jured. He approached the dying man,
according to custom. and expressed his
sorrow. Lucas dashed forth an accu.
sation OF murder, but a few minutes
later before dying he recanted and ex'
pressed his forgiveness.
But the 6rst duel that ever took
place on Bloody island was fought in
1910 between DR.. Farrar and James A.
Graham One of DR.. Farrar's friends
challenged Graham. but the challenge
was refused on the ground that Far
rar's friend was not a gentleman. DR.
Farrar was then under obligation ia
defend the honor of his friend. This
challenge was accepted, and as a re
suit Graham was severely injured and
Gied after months Of suffering.
A second duel on Bloody island oc'
CURED In 1916 between Captain Henry
s. Geyer and Captain George Fl. Ken
nerly, both veterans OF the war OF
1872. Captain Geyer was for many
years a leader in Missouri politics and
one Of the states most able lawyers
Kennerly was wounded Mt the second
Ore aud remained q cripple for life.
There were many other duels fought
here between some Of Missourts early
statesmen aud pioneers. A few of thu
encounters we're the Thomas Hemp
s~tend,Joshua Barton duel in 1916. thu
Martin. Ramsey AfrHir in 1918, tn
Reynolds Brown, Waiker-Marmaduke
aud Pettus- Biddle.
While duels would not be counte
nanced under any consideration today
It must be remembered that at this time
they we're almost as common amonl
men as fights among schoolboys- II {
man felt that his honor had been I'm
peached in any way the popular thin
TO do was to settle 1t by a duel. pistoli
being used in nearly every instance
There was a certain unwritten code
observed. For instance. IN the due
between Geyer and Kennerly the fol
lowing were the rules:
The ground shall be measured OF
to six PAGES.
The gentlemen shall stand back {
back at the distance Of six yards iron
each other.
At the word March" the gentlemel
shall Immediately step OF three pace
and turn and IRE without further OF
der.
II either party reserves bis 1re an
|, continues to take aim after the othe
has fred he shall be- shot Instantly b
the adverse second.
, The seconds shall decide BY lot whic
|, gives the word.
The only words shall be. Are 20
, readyT' and, being answered In the al
irmative. the word March" shall b
the order for stepping Oh and turnin
and firing aH above stated
The weapons ~snlOOthbOre pistols.
, The pistols to be delivered cooked I
the gentlemen after they have tOke
their places and to be, held hangin
down by the side until after the woF
March"
One can readily see why Bloody !
> land should become a popular spot Il
duela First Il was near b. Louis, II
largest town in the state. The ISLAM
. being In the middle Of the river. WI
more or less secluded. and also Il
ground wal neutral, as neither Missoi
RI nor Illinois had Jurisdiction over
pIoodv tsIand paHaad out or existent