Caption: A portrait of Charles Lucas, probably painted in 1815. Lucas, the son of St. Louis Judge J.B.C. Lucas, was educated in Philadelphia and served in the frontier militia during the War of 1812 against England. He returned to St. Louis to become a lawyer and, at age 24, became U.S. attorney for the Missouri territory, a part-time but prominent job. In October 1816, he opposed fellow lawyer Thomas Hart Benton in a civil suit in St. Louis. They clashed in the courtroom, essentially calling each other liars. On Election Day on Aug. 4, 1817, Lucas encountered Benton at a polling place and challenged his right to vote, alleging that Benton hadn't paid taxes on three slaves. (Back then, payment of taxes was a requirement for voting,) Benton responded to all who could hear that he wouldn't answer "charges made by any puppy who happens to run across my path." The offended Lucas challenged Benton to a duel, and they met twelve days later 16 on a sand bar in the Mississippi River known to history as Bloody Island because duels were held there. (Dueling was illegal but part of the 19th Century male culture, and the island was chosen on the theory that authorities in Missouri and Illinois would look the other way.) Lucas and Benton fired their muzzle-loading pistols at 30 paces and wounded each other. Benton demanded a retry, to which Lucas agreed, only the next time at 10 paces. Lucas later thought better of his challenge and let it drop, but Benton accused Lucas and his father of spreading rumors that Benton was afraid to duel at close range. Benton refused to accept Lucas' denials, and they met again on the island on Sept. 27, 1817. Benton fired first, fatally wounding Lucas. (Missouri History Museum)
Album ID: 1082758
Photo ID: 31712987
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