Didn't someone challenge Abraham Lincoln to a duel, and ol' Abe chose Broadswords as his weapon of choice? If I recall the coward backed down.

edit: found it!

The day of the duel, September 22, arrived and the combatants met at Bloody Island, Missouri, to face death or victory. As the two men faced each other, with a plank between them that neither was allowed to cross, Lincoln swung his sword high above Shields to cut through a nearby tree branch. This act demonstrated the immensity of Lincoln’s reach and strength and was enough to show Shields that he was at a fatal disadvantage. With the encouragement of bystanders, the two men called a truce.

Could be fun.

Add an addendum they are always held on Bloody Island, MO and call it tradition.