Name: Bloody Island Address: Mississippi River History: The site of many duels, Bloody Island is part of the reason that St. Louis became known as a violent city in antebellum America. It took its name at 6:00 AM on August 12, 1817, when lawyers Thomas Hart Benton and Charles Lucas fought there. Benton´s shot went through Lucas´ jugular, while Lucas´ shot hit Benton´s knee. A few months later, Benton challenged Lucas to another duel, and this time killed his rival with a shot to the heart. In August 1831, Thomas Biddle, director of the St. Louis branch of the Bank of the United States, fought Spencer Pettis, a congressman who was critical of the branch bank. Both were killed. |
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