Although Representative Joe Wilson (SC) violated protocol when he shouted “You lie!”, the House is tamer today than in times past. 

Two examples: When during a speech a fellow Congressman made fun of John Randolph of Roanoke’s hunting dogs, Randolph wanted to duel.  Fortunately hot heads cooled down.  In 1856, Preston Brooks caned William Sumner.

(Although not during the antebellum era, this account is even better: One tradition describes St. Nicholas–yeah, Santa’s namesake–walking across the hall at the Council of Nicea and punching Arius, who said the Logos and Jesus did not always exist.)