The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-06
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
FREDERIC j. HASKIN, Director
Washington, d. G.
BELLICosE STATESMEN.

2
of congress were enlivened by clash
between Representative Johnson, of
Kentucky. and a brother of Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, the Stacker who
has found sanctuary in Germany.
Ben Johnson is no stranger to af-
fairs of this sort, having figured prom
| inently in one some years ago In
which his opponent was a Washing
ton attorney of superior physical pro-
portions. On this occasion Mr.. john
son sought weapon but was pre-
vented from doing any shooting.
Such clashes appear periodically to
liven up the news of the day. Tom
Heflin, now in the senate, while rep
resenting his Alabama district in the
house was one of the principals with
Representative Norton of North Da-
kota, in a fight on the floor Of the
house, and also took part in a shoot
ing affray on a Washington street car
some years before that.
Mr.. Helm was worsted in the short
encounter in which he figured on the
floor of the house. Relations between
Norton and Heflin were very strained,
and came to a head one afternoon
when Norton walked across TO the
Democratic side of the house and
asked Heflin some question, which
quickly led to a physical encounter.
When they were separated Mr. Nor
rotund form bent backward over one
or the desks. This seemed to satisfy
both for there was no second clash.
On another OCCASION Heflin reflect
ed seriously upon the craftsmanship
OF southern gentlemen when he
opened fire on a negro on a street car
and hit an innocent anG inoffensive
jockey in the knee. One of Mr.. Hef-
Inns brothers, a surgeon, came from
the south to attend the victim of the
statesman's bullet. James K. Varda-
man, until recently senator from Mis-
sissippi. caused nationwide comment
by an attack on a negro porter on
train. No action was taken against
either Heflin or Vardaman.
Bob" Thomas, of Kentucky, like
former Senator Bailey, of Texas, fig
ured in physical encounters with news
paper men. Thomas was undone by
mail sack over which he tripped, the
newspaper man perching himself on
the chest of the prostrate4eg islator
and having all of the better of the
battle.
The Bailey fracas took place with
the late Capt. w. Sinkler Manning.
who was killed in France a few days
before the armistice was signed Man
ming was a husky chap, over six feet
tall, and \the Texas senator was not
able to make much of an impression
on him.
Statesmen of old used to resort
quite freely to the dueling pistol when
they felt there was any danger of their
shining honor becoming furnished.
Thomas H. Benton, for thirty years
senator from Missouri, was probably
the most frequent participant in duels.
This was due to his running a paper
in st. Louis called 1.-The Missouri In
quirer," in which he set forth his
views boldly and with no fear or favor.
In one duel he killed his opponent
Fiery Andrew Jackson was always
in hot water of some kind, and took
part in two duels. In one of them
he killed Charles Dickinson, who was
dead shot with the pistol. OF this
famous duel it is said that Dickinson,
to shake Jacksons nerves, enter
tanned the party on the way TO the
dueling grounds by shooting birds out
of trees, and making other exh.b ition
of his remarkable ability with the pis-
toll. Jackson, tho. saved his own life
in a curious way. He wore a cCat of
extra fullness on the left side. which
deceived Dickinson. Dickinson's shot
missed Jackson's heart, but hit jack
son, alth6~ he gave no sign. Then
Jackson shot Dickinson dead, and not
even Jackson's seconds knew he was
hit until he returned to the llostelry
where he was putting up. On drawing
off his left boot. it was found to be
for life from the shot.
Jackson's other duel was with John
Sewer, first governor of Ten nessee,
who was one of the prime movers in
the formation of the proposed state
of Franklin.
Ono of Jackson's firmest political
friends was Thomas H. Benton, who
secured payment of the expenses of
Jackson's men after they were ordered
disbanded in Mississippi on their way
70 hTrwrr n NJ -I.-I-s
terminated tho, when Jackson stood
as a second against Jesse Benton,
brother of Thomas. Later Jackson
! threatened to horsewhip Thomas Ben
ton. The two Bentons and jackson
got into a brawI in a tavern, in which
jackson was shot twice and Jesse Ben
ton badly stabbed.
Perhaps the most famous duel of
Am er1can history is that in which Alex
ander Hamilton and Aaron Burr took
part. Hamilton had been instrument
tai several times in blocking the DO
litical ambitions of Burr, which the
latter keenly resented. Finally, for
some pretended or real insult Burr
challenged Hamilton to mortal COM
bat. Hamilton was seriously opposed
to the dueling code, but felt that if
he refused to meet Burr he would be
deemed a coward. When the men
met, it is believed that Hamilton dis
| charged his weapon in the air. Burr's
shot struck Hamilton and Hamilton
died from the wound the day after
the duel.
Many other duels between we'll
known Americans are recorded. De
Witt Clinton and Swartout settled
their differences on the so-cal1ed field
Of honor CilIey and Graves fought a
duel. Cadwallader and Conway and
General Mcintosh and Gwinnett of
the time of the Revolution, took part
in such ARRAYS
Charles Lee, once second in COM
mand to Washington, and formerly of
to be a traitor to America, was wound :
ed in duel by Col. John Laurens of
Washington's staff. Lee disobeyed
orders in failing to hasten the retreat
| Of his army across New jersey, and
was captured by the British. but his
/ EXCHANGE was