The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-04

Washington, D. c.. Aug. 3.-Re-
Gently the proceedings of commit
tee of congress were enlivened by
"a clash between Representative
Johnson, of Kentucky. and a broth
er of Grover Cleveland Bergdoil,
the Stacker who has found sanctu-
airy in Germany. Ben Johnson" is
no stranger to affairs of this sort,
having figured prominently in one
some years ago in which his OPP
ponent was a Washington attor-
ney Of superior physical proper
tions. On this occasion Mr.. John
son sought weapon but was pre-
vented from doing any shooting.
Such clashes appear periodical
ly to Hven UP the news of the day.
Tom Helm, now in the senate,
While representing his Alabama
district in the house, was one of
the principals with Representative
Norton OF North Dakota, in a fight
on the floor of the house, and also
took part in a shooting ARRAY on a
Washington street car some years
before that
Mr.. Hefiin was worsted In the
short encounter in which he fig
ured on the floor OF the house. Re
lations between Norton and Hef-
lin were very strained, and came
to head one afternoon when Nor
ton walked across to the Democrat
ic side of the house and asked Hef-
lin some question, which quickly
a n
they were separated, Mr.. Norton
had Mr.. Hetiin quite helpless, his
rotund form bent backward over
one of the desks. This seemed to
satisfy both for there was no sec
ond clash.
On another occasion, Hef1in re-
fiected seriously upon the marks
manship of southern gentlemen
when he opened fire on a negro on
a street car and hit an innocent
and inoffensive jockey in the knee.
One of Mr.. Helms brothers, a sur
geon, came from the south to at
tend the victim of the stateSman's
bullet. James K. Vardaman, until
recently senator from Mississippi,
caused nationwide comment by an
attack on a negro porter on a
train. No action was taken against
either Hef1in or Vardaman.
Bob" Thomas, of Kentucky, like
former Senator Bailey of Texas.
figured in physical encounters with
newspapermen. Thomas was I'M
done by mail sack over which he
,rlpped, the newspaperman perch
ing himself on the chest of the
PROSTATE legislator and having all
Of the better of the battle.
The Bailey fracas took place with
he late Captain W. Sinkler Man |
ming, who was Killed in France a !
few days before the armistice was
signed. Manning was a husky chan. !
oYcr six feet tall, and the Texas !
senator was not able to make much !
u an impression on him.
Old Fashioned Satisfaction.
Statesmen of old used to resort |
luite freely to the dueling pistol |
when they felt there was any dan
ger OF their honor becoming tarn-t
shed. Thomas H. Benton, for 80
ears senator from Missouri, was
probably the most frequent partici-
'ant in dueis. This was due to
rs running paper in st. Louis
allied The Missouri Inquirer" in
which he set forth his views bold
and with no fear or favor. InI
ne duel he killed his opponent.
Fiery Andrew Jackson was al
Fays IN hot water of some kind, /
nd took part in two dueIs. In
he OF them he killed Charles Dick
nson, who was a dead shot with
he pistol. Of this famous duel it
said that Dickinson, to shake
ackson's nerves, entertained the .
arty on the way to the dueling
rounds by shooting birds out of Il
rees, and making other exhibition Il
I his remarkable ability with the |,
lstol- Jackson, though, saved his
Wn life in a curious way. He /
-ore coat of extra fullness on the
1T side, which deceived Dickinson.
shot missed Jackson's
cart, but hit Jackson, although he
ave no sign. Then Jackson shot i
dickinson dead, and not even Jack f.;
1n's seconds knew he was hit un-
| he returned to the hostelry {
here he was putting up. On
rawing off his left boot, it was !
1und to be full of blood. Jack 7