[jonascord]

It was strongly suspected, at the time, that Sumner milked his "injuries" for all they were worth. Somehow, it took him three years to heal. The term "Drama Queen" hadn't been invented, but Sumner would have been the poster boy for the definition.

Congressman Brooks had dozens of new canes sent to him, to replace the one he broke, as well as thousands of telegrams telling him to give the Abolitionist another beating, since he was still moving.

Ah, the good old days...

[marktwain]

It was a vicious attack. Brook’s didn’t even have the guts to go after Sumner alone. His accomplice, Laurence Keitt of South Carolina, held bystanders at bay with a pistol, to prevent them from stopping the attack.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_of_Charles_Sumner