The New York herald., 1872-12-22
The Sothern-FIOrence-Lee Mock Duel
Exploded by Limitation.
HE Who Fights and Runs Away Lives
to Fight Another Day"
A SCENE IN A GREEN ROOM.
mr.. Justice Bowling States that the Laws
"Haye Been Enforced"


profession. The fact that duel had been projected
between Philip Lee and Edwin A. Sothern gave oc.
easiOn for q great many strange rumors. The
HERALD Commissioner, who had been investigating
the matter for two days, was at loss to tell who
were the gentlemen in fault. The vestipules Of the
theatres yesterday was day OF matinees and Of
grand dresses on Broadway, and OF people coming
In and out and eating roast quail toast and bid
ding goOdby TO each other-had its effect. In all
these groups the dramatic duel was discussed.
At Wallack's Theatre, just as the matinee was
.dischargng its cargo, lady said:-
.'Can it he possible that Mr.. Sothern-that nice
fellow-has endeavored to kill man. did not
think that he was SO bloodthrsty person ~
The HERALD Commissioner called on Mr.. william
J. Florence, at the Union Square Theatre. The
afternoon performance bad just been closed, and
Mr.. Florence was standing outside Of the door OF
the theatre. Mr.. Florence had cane and laven-
der trousers, and he was clean shaven. The
HERALD Commissioner, who was detailed to inves
rigate the joke, walked in with Mr.. Florence, the
victim. The Victim walked into the box ONCE and
waved his cane. Then he came out
HERALD REPoRTER-Mr. Florence, what do you
think OF this dramatic duel. II is a triangular
Dne-Sothern, Philip Lee and yourself are mixed
mp in it9
Mr.. FLoRENcE-I declare know nothing about
put but please do not say anything about it. The
Joke has'gOne too far.
HERALD REPoRTER-Wel but tell me the story
fool Of
Mr. FLoRENcE-Mr. Lee is gentleman, and am
say ne
HERALD REPoRTER-It Is not necessary to make
that remark Mr. Florence; Did yoa M or did You not not
r. II. Lee. ask the question ?
Mr. NoRENCE-I tell you that it was all a joke,
= gentleman named Charles Gayler-you must
know him, a man with gray whiskers and a walk
wrote the chaenre There was duel 1 in the EV
sian Fields at Hoboken, where Hamilton fought,
between myself and Stevens. Dr. Walter Fleming
rode in the carriage, with case OF instruments.
There were only three shots exchanged. This is
aot to be mentioned.
think that Mr.: Sothern was treating you like a
gentleman at that due9 We're not his pistols
Mr. PePpel e aone please went
down to the Tombs yesterday morning. that Is
true; but we, Sothern and ], were only twenty
minutes there. We were not there seven hours
Mr.. Florence became indignant at this moment,
and said that he would like to have IL regarded as
ajoke. itis q joke, andit is SO recorded on the
Mr.. Sothern was next called upon. BY the kind
ness Of Mr.. Charles Moss the reporter taken to
the stage entrance ofWalack's Theatre, on Fourth
avenue, and an elegant usher escorted him through
The door past gray bearded old gentleman, who
has been attending Wallacks stage door since the
Spring Of ls49. Down the left entrance the re-
porter travelled. He had to fight his way with the
high-toned supernumeraries, and as he descended
the stairs to the dressing rooms charming girl in
. gray dress which was surmounted by.
70 Wanting Gfr IN the reporer
bowed. The young lady in gray with
the linen collar backed down. The reporter bowed
again. The young lady In gray backed down again,
and then 1t was seen OF all men who were wit
nesses that her collar was dislocated. Finally the
heathenish reporter descended into the theatrical
cepths. An old gentleman, clean shaved, asked
the reporter into little den of place, in which
next act of the matinee. Dundreary was in his
shirt sleeves, and his suspenders were crossed on
his manly back. He is courteous fellow, Dun
ureary He onered cigar, good naturedly. 1t is
something that no fellow can tell or find out.
HERALD REroRrER-What do you think about
this duel between Mr.. Florence and Mr.. Lee2
DUNDREARY SoTHERS-Why, II Is all q dev1sh
good joke; but 1t has been carried too far. Billy
any harm Lee is first class fellow, too The
real fact OF the matter Is that Charley Gayler wrote
the challenge. He was the prime mover. I am
Innocent, dear am innocent OF all these hor
rid things
HERALD REPoRTER-You have made some very
heavy reflections on Fifth avenue society in your
invitation to Mr.. Philip Lee Doyou not think, Mr..
Sothern, that you carried the joke too farS
Mr.. SoTHERN-No on the contrary, like the
Fifth avenue people very well indeed-very well
indeed.
HERALD REPoRrER-Did you not say that they
were shoddy lot, and that you preferred the
Knickerbockers as a stock-the Schuylers, the Liv
ingstons, the Courtlandts and all the old manoria
Mr.. SoTHERN-why, / like the old stock, OF
course. And must say that like the Fifth avenue
brains Not that would indicate literary W men. m In
any particular sense In England II did not like
duke simply let him alone would not certainly
associate with burglar. yet II burglar could
amuse me would allow him to do it,
Here Mr.. sothern fixed his black hair wig parted
IN the middle and bent his shapeiy shoulders into
the long black broadcloth coat which is so well
known IN his principal characters. He also took
q BE- To @
that possibly 1t might affect the insurance. There
was good nature about all that Mr.. Sothern ut
tered that could not be resisted. There he stood
quietly and calmly that desperate practical joker.
Not muscle Of his face moved; not line changed
az he talked. There are but few men who can do
It. Sothern is large aad very comprehensive in his
ideas. He was asked question about the Prince
OF Wales-"What do you think OF the Prince or
sOrHERN-He is an elegant fellow. Look at all
the devilish foundation stones and corner stones
that he has to lay. He speaks four languages well; ;
just as well as / speak English, and etter, per-
haps. Ee must certainly be above the average Of
his best to do right What can any man do n more
HERALD REPoRrER-But, Mr.. sothern, do you
this duel too far Mr.. Lee must be very much
bothered about what has been said In the HKRALD-
mean the statement OF yesterday.
Mr.. SoTHERN--0ld fellow like you, but say
Lee is q nice fellow Leave him alone. Oblige me
An this thing: think that the Joke is carried too
far myself like burglar or duke according to
what they think and according to the manner In
which they behave. But will not allow any man
TO be in my company VINO will not amuse me for q
DAY. What do we live for 7 i like Philip Lee. He
Is gentleman.
Mr.. Sothern did not explain to the HERALD re-:
porter anything about the letter written to Judge
bowling, in which the party OF the nrst part was
very much implicated. That, perhaps, might have
destroyed the Joke.
The HERALD Commissioner next sought the great
and ngegged Nelse Seymour. The purpose was to
ask him what participation he had in the duel. Mr..
seymour, who Is oi very distinguished Maryland
Kentucky family, but no border rutfan, was abb
sent when he was wanted. The Ancient and Noisy
order OF Elks had had meeting. At this meet
lhg-the most important one OF the year-Mr. Neil
Bryant whe has been absent for three weeks,
opened water melon. 1t was like the return OF
the Prodgal son. Every man took slice. Mr.. Sey-
mour, when interviewed. spoke in his usual dra-
matte and philosophical manner.
he spoke rs follows, with slice OF watermelon
~ one nand and glass OF Monongahea whiskey
Times are bad for actors. 1 declare I don't
know how we are going to I've. The boys are
bust. when was living ~ the Nine Elfns Road In
London always mad my pot OF beer, so did. But
n tell Al there 90