THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

OVER 150 YEARS AGO, a Wisconsin congressman faced down a Southerner who challenged him to a duel. On April 5, 1860, as the Civil War was drawing nearer, Rep. John F. Potter (R-Wis.) had become a target of Dixie politicians, in particular Virginia’s Roger Prior, during slavery debates, reports the Wisconsin Historical Society. According to the society’s account (taken from Badger Saints and Sinners, by Fred L. Holmes): “After one exchange, Pryor challenged Potter to a duel and Potter, as the one challenged, specified that bowie knives be used at a distance of four feet. Pryor refused and Potter became famous in the anti-slavery movement.” A couple years later, at a Republican convention in Chicago, Potter received a seven-foot blade as a tribute. The historical society again: “Before his death, Potter remembered the duel and proclaimed, ‘I felt it was a national matter – not any private quarrel – and I was willing to make sacrifices.’”