From RECTOR FAMILY RECORDS by Walter Stevens.Pg 86-87 Duel between Thomas Conner Rector and Joshua Barton An article in the newspaper that criticized severely William Rector, surveyor general of three States for hiring personal friends and relatives and giving them lucrative contracts. A charge of nepotism was made against William when he ran for reappointment and also when it was confirmed. Senator Barton was running against him and had been responsible for many charges. On Monday the 30 th a meeting took place between Joshua Barton, Deputy Attorney General of the United States and Thomas C Rector met at 6 P.M. at an island opposite this place . They both fired at the word and Mr. Barton fell mortally wounded. Thomas Rector escaped uninjured. Mr Barton expired on the ground. In him the citizens of Missouri has lost one of its ablest and worthiest citizens. Mr William Rector, the newspaper and the Bartons continued this debate for some time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------From ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HISTORY OF MISSOURI. Since I cannot connect Joshua Rector to my line yet, I will put his materials under the man who killed him.'JOSHUA BARTON was born in Tennessee, son of Rev. Isaac Barton and brother of David Barton, one of the first United States Senators elected from Missouri. He came west soon after his elder brother settled in St. Louis and read law under the preceptorship of Rufus Easton. After his admission to the bar he was associated with Honorable Edwart Bates in practice under the State Government of Missouri was organized, when he was made Secretary of State This office he resigned to accept the appointment of United States district attorney for Missouri, a position which he held till his tragic death, which occurred on the 28 th of June 1823. On that date he was killed in s duel fought with Thomas C. Rector on Bloody Island."
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He was killed in a brawl in St Louis in 1826.
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In the famous Barton-Rector duel on Bloody Island in the Mississippi River June 30, 1823, Joshua Barton, US District Attorney at St Louis and brother of Senator David Barton was shot and killed by Thomas C Rector, brother of William C. Rector, surveyor General of Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
In an article published in the St.Louis Republican a few days before signed anonymously PHILO, William Rector was accused of hiring relatives and personal friends as deputy surveyors in the district which he headed. Members of the Rector Family, William was in Washington D.C., considered it a reflection on the honor of an official and his brother, Thomas Conner Rector inquired at the newspaper for the name of the writer. Told that Joshua Barton was the author, Rector challenged him and the two agreed to meet on Bloody Island opposite St.Louis June 30. They met at 6 PM with pistols and both fired. Barton was hit and died on the island while Rector was unhurt. Barton's body was removed from St.Louis the next day to St. Charles where he was buried
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From CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSOURI- Stephen and Thomas Rector laid out the town of Hannibal the 17 th of March 1819.