The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-08
From tho New York sun, January a.
J.G BENNETT ASSAULTED.

0Sp
A Scene that Startled Members Of the Union
Club-Frederick May Lying in Wait in
Front of the Club Ho1se-Mr. Bennett
Struck With a Whip, Knocked Down and
Thrown intothe Street.
Shortly after . o'clock yesterday after
Eoon the habitues of the Union club were
startled by the information, that sped like
wild-fire through the building, that James
Gordon Bennett, the proprietor oflhe Her.
aid, was icing assaulted by Frederick May
on the side walk in front of the club house.
Members of the club were aware Of the fact
shat the struggle might end in n tragedy, rs
Mr.. May WAS known To Davs tr,H In n
desperate mood siuce Saturday. Mr.. May
is a brother of Miss Caroline MNy, who has
btcn sflianced to MIR. Bennett. Mr.. May is
an athlete, and has an enviable reputation
among club men as a heavyweight litter,
and as one who is ~abundantly able to care
for himself in a struggle. He was very in
dignant concerning Mr.. Benefits treatment
of his sister, and yesterday he traced Mr..
Bennett to the Union club building. Mr..
May is not a member of the club, and there
fore did not presume to enter, and there en-
counter Mr.. Bennett. MAY worc a long
coat, and as he stood near the railing in
Twenty-flrst street several friends passed,
and noticed that he was much sg,tsted, and
that he kept a sharp watch upon the en-
trance to the club house. Mr.. Bennett was
within, enjoying refreshments. lie was
uncommuncative, and his acquaintance
noticed that his jollity was artificial. He
sent a message for his sleigh and when it
arrived at the door he prepared himself for
n ride in the Central park. He wore a long
.oat I'D a sat,nt,y AnD oal 81 unlnnltl ailH
handkerchief was wound around his neck.
He seemed much annoyed I. the watchful
chances of the clubs people. He was to
have sailed for England yesterday with his
btids in the Russia, and the subject of the
breaking off of the marriage had been dis
.cussed in all the clubs and principal hotels
by the friends and acquaintance OF both.
When Mr.. Bennett lighted 4 cigarette in
the large hallway of the club house and
started toward the street the door was open
ed wide for him by tho attendant, who is
employed to bow persons in and out. MIR.
Bennett slowly descended the staircase,
and Just as he reached the sidewalk Mr..
Nay confronted him. Mr.. Bennett step
ped backward, and Mr.. May drew a small
whip from his great coat, With much
force and rapidity he struck MIR. Bennett
across the face three times. Blood streamed
from gashes under his eyes aud from a
frightful cut on his nose. He staggered
for a moment, and then threw himself up
on Mr.. May. They clinched, but Mr.. My
being the more powerful of the two, forced
himself from Mr.. Benefits grasp. AZ this
time the latter made another lunge at Mr..
May, who struck at him from the shoulder
and Mr.. Bennett fell at full length on the
sidewalk. Blood stained the snow from
the side walk to the gutter. Attaches of the
club house and pedestrians ran to Mr.. Ben
ustt's assistance. No one attempted to
atop Mr.. May, who, with his hands In his
pockets, walked ~le.surely toward Fifth
avenue.
1t was said by some persons in the club
rooms and hotels in the neighborhOod that
Mr.. Bennett wIested the whip from Mr..
May and threw him, but those who were
nearest to the scene cay that such was not
the case. Mr.. Bennett was carried into the
house and his face was bathed. His sleigh
waa sent away, and a cab was ordered.
Then he was taken to his home In Fifth
avenue, whelo he was attended by his ply
stefan.
Police officers near the club house said
that they knew nothing of the fight, al
though five minutes after it happened it
vas the chief topic in all the neigh5oring
hotels. Miss Mays TWO brothers were on
the lookout for Mr.. Bennett as early as G
o'clock yesterday morning. They went to
the Russia, thinking thrt he might take pas.
sage on that steamer. bat he was not there.
William May, FTederick's brother, vas in
the club house last evening for few mo-
ments. lie said ut fret that he did not
care TO talk of the affair. Then he said TO
enc of his friends "We were looking for
MT. Bennett all day, but he wa. in hiding.
He ought TO have been cowhided long ago"
Frederick May, who made the assault,
was at his home. He declined to speak of
the assault. 1t is thought that Mr. Bennett
will be unable 10 appear again for several
days.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
hr. May stepped up as soon as Mr.. Ben
nett had left the stoOp, and graspiug him
by the shirt front with one hand, drew "A
cowhide rapidly ACROSS his face with the
other. The whip drew blood with every
blow. Mr.. Bennett attempted to put his
scientific requirements into practice, but
May warded off every blow with the ut
most ease, and dropping his whip, caught
his opponent by the at ouldeTs and threw
bin upon the sidewalk. Then May, as he
thought, observed Mr.. Bennett reaching
for a derringer in the lack pocket of his
HS bhNlbulpH kihHpSh DUH
nett and with a display of wonderful
strength, threw him from the sidewalk near
ly into the middle of the street. Follow
ing up this advantage, he dragged Mr.. Ben
nett around in the snow. At this point
John Heckshier interfercd and separated
tho contestants.
Mr.. Bennett went into tho club house.
Fred May spoke with several friends, and
then walked up the avenue.
II is said that a challenge is likely to be
sent, IL ii has not already been forwarded,
from Mr.. Bennett, demanding satisfaction
for the assault.
There is the greatest diversity of opinion
as to what Mr.. Bennett will do in the prem
.ises and several heavy bets have been made
as to the result.
STATEMENT OF A MRMBRR OF THE CLUB.
A member OF the Union club, an eye wit
ness OF the assault on Mr.. James Gordon
Bennett by Frederick May, gives the fol-
lowing version of the affair
81 was nOin0 ont ~ tba pl,h mot altar