Evening star., 1934-10-29
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

The first blood" of the Civil War
excluding the Harpers Ferry raid anc
various guerilla affrays in Kansas
appears to have been split in free
for-all battle between Northern anc
Southern statesmen on the flor oi
the House in Washington.
1t was spilled copiously from sew
eral noses. This strange combat seems
to have escaped official notice at the
time and would have been left unre-
corded altogether had not a reporter
for a New York newspaper, q single
copy Of which Is now preserved in the
rare book division Of the Library OF
Congress, sent in an account which
was printed In column headed "Prize
Fights"
The battle took place about 4 am
on February 8, 1858, when the nerves
Of the Representatives were at the
breaking point after a bitter, all
night debate on the Kansas question
1t all started when Representative
Grow of Pennsylvania, Republican
leader Of the House, walked over to
the Democratic side to talk with Rep
resentative Hickman, a colleague from
his own State. As he turned to leave
Hickman's desk, Gen. Quitman, 9
Southern Representative, tried to in
terrupt whomever was speaking al
the time. Grow objected to his being
recognized.
Carolinian Takes Issue.
At this point Representative Keitt
of South Carolina shouted:
why don't you go over to your
own side If you want to object? What
business have you over here, anyway
Grow: This is a free hall, and
can object from any point see fit."
Then he withdrew his objection
But by this time Keitt, a bigger man
had risen from his seat and as Grow
passed him on his way back to the
Republican side asked with a growl
What do you mean by that an.
swer you gave Just now?"
"Just what I said. This Is . free
hall"
"I'll show you, you - black Re-
publican puppy"
Call me what you please, but let
me tell you no driver shall come up
from his plantation to crack his lash
around my ears"
Dives ut His Throat.
'weIl see about that" yelled Keitt,
as he caught Grow by the throat.
At this point. as the event was mar
rated by the "prizefight reporter, 81
who happened to be in the gallery
Grow threw off his assailant's hand
and Reuben Davis Of Mississippi, who
had followed Keitt evidently with the
intention of restraining him, inter-
posed at once for peace.
This ended the difficulty for the
instant" the article said, "but almost
Immediately Keitt broke from Davis
and rushed on Grow, seiZing him
again by the throat. But Grow
planted q blow on the left ear of the
gentleman from South Carolina which
landed him on the floor. When the
blow was struck, a dozen Southern
men rushed toward the parties, some
to keep the peace and others to have
q hand in the fight.
"Barksdale of Mississippi, Mcqueen
of South Carolina, Graige of North
Carolina and Reuben Davis were
prominent in the scrimmage. Bsrks-
dale states specifically his only object
was to separate the contestants. He
and other opponents seized on Grow
at once, as Keitt was already hors de
combat.
Northerners Join Fray.
ITO the gentlemen on the other
side Of the House, 1t looked very
much as If the gentleman from Penn
sylvania was about to be cut into
mince meat and the anti-Lecompton
men rushed over in a body to the res
cue. Foremost came Mr.. Potter OF
Wisconsin, a very athletic, compact
man, who bounded into the center Of
the excited group, striking left and
right with tremendous vigor. WASH
burne Of Illinois and his brother OF
Wisconsin were also prominent and
for q moment or two it looked as II
We were to have q Kilkenny fight
on magnificent scale.
"Barksdale had hold Of Grow when
Potter struck him severe blow, sup
posing he was hurting the gentleman.
Barksdale, turning around and sup
posing 1t was Elihu Washburne who
struck him, dropped Grow and struck
out at the gentleman from Illinois
Cadwallader Washburne, perceiving
the attack on his brother, also made
dash at Barksdale and seized him
by the hair, pummeling him with
great satisfaction. Horrible to relate
Barksdale's wig came Oh In Cadwal-
lader's left hand IND ~ right Is