The Anthony-Wilson knife fight as depicted by artist John Deering |
Land speculators grew rich during the settlement of frontier Illinois and Missouri in the 1820s. Similar-minded entrepreneurs expected to fare likewise in the new state of Arkansas. To facilitate this, the new state government created state banks. Unfortunately, these were chartered on the eve of the Panic of 1837, one of the worst depressions in the nation's history.
Founded on the unrealized expectation of a rise in land values, these banks faced a crisis from the start. Dispensing blame for the failure of the state banks became the most contentious political issue of the day.
This was the climate in 1837 when state Rep. Amos Kuykendall proposed a bill to award a bounty on wolf hides. The discussion stalemated on the issue of how the bounty would be dispensed. Were cash-strapped local magistrates to pay and then be reimbursed? Would they be required to hang onto the smelly pelts as proof? Someone suggested that the hunters be issued some sort of certificate.
At this point, Rep. J.J. Anthony of Randolph County rose and suggested the hides be signed by the president of the Real Estate Bank. The implication was that this would make them legal tender, a subtle disparagement of the alleged value of the banknotes in circulation. The joke was so subtle, in fact, that no one understood it,
least of all Speaker of the House John Wilson - who happened to be the president of the Real Estate Bank.
Wilson asked Anthony if he intended an insult.
Anthony refused to clarify his remark.
Wilson declared Anthony out of order and ordered him to be seated.
Anthony refused to yield the floor. According to one witness, he supposdely opened his coat at this point to reveal his knife. According to other versions, it was Wilson who first brandished a weapon.
Events quickly escalated and the two antagonists rushed toward one another in the aisle. Rep. Grandison Royston thrust a chair between the two men, hoping to separate them. Anthony and Wilson each grabbed the chair and began to flail with their knives.
Anthony, who was taller than Wilson and had longer arms, slashed Wilson's wrist. Wilson rushed forward and plunged his knife to the hilt directly into Anthony's heart. Death was instantaneous.
Because Wilson's political enemies controlled Little Rock, he was able to get a change of venue to Saline County, where he was acquitted on grounds of self-defense.
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