New-York tribune., 1877-01-08
THE BENNETT-MAY DUEL.

A GENERAL IMPRESSION THAT HOSTILE MEETING
HAS BEEN HELD-ANxIOUs INQUIRIES FOR TELE-
GRAMS AT THE UNION CLUB-NO NEWS YET
FROM THE CoMBATANTs-DR. MAYS ALARM AND
ANXIETY.
The IMPRESSION strengthened by the action Of those
most intimately connected with the affair." prevailed yes
erday that hostile meeting had taken place between
james Gordon Bennett aud Frederick May either on
Sunday morning at time during Saturday after
noon Two distinct rumors found active circulation
One in the lower part Of the city, that Mr.. Bennett
had been dangerously wounded, the other afoat
I'm the clubs the upper part Of the city that similar
fate had oyertaken Mr. May. story in some way got
abroad that dispatches had been received IN The Herald
Office telling of the conflict, but it was emphaticaly de-
MED there that any such dispatches had been received
The members the Union Club made secret Of their
expectation OF receiving teegraphc news OF duel and
friends Of Mr. Bennett and Mr. May called repeatedly at
the club-rooms during the day and late In the evening
only to go away again no wiser than before. IL
was a curious fact that the several gentleman who
have named by tho newspapers as seconds for Mr.
Dennettwith the exception OF Gen. Taylor who is con-
fined to bed in Washington by ness--al called at
the club last night and one OF them has been out OF
the city since the street encounter The members OF
the club are uncertain whom Mr. Bennett took with him
when he left the city, although mention was made of
faithful valet who it is said has repeatedly saved his
lfe Many OF Mr. Benefits friends think that the meet
ingplace was not so away from NewYork Canada
IL was very improbable, they said that IL would be
Europe or Cuba some had thought
The non-arriya OF dispatches did not to shake
the belief OF Mr. Benefits fellow members of the club
that duel had been concluded before yesterday even
ing Two theories put forth in explanation OF the
failure to hear from the cOmbatans one that the conse
aucnces had serious and the survivor was keeping
quiet until he could the country the second that
neither had seriously wounded and intended coming
back to the city and bravng the Grand Jury II it asked
any troublesome questions they were not bound To ncu
nate themselves, and with no witnesses to mplcate
Them they would DO safe from Indictment 1t
was to be hoped that the latter would prove
to be the true expa auon many Of the friends feared
that both duelIsts could not have escaped unnjured
each being noted for skill with the pistol Moreover 1t
was feared that Mr. Bennett was so enraged that he
would not consent to mere exchange OF harmless shots
He always possessed declared Of his most intimate
friends peculiarly poignant feeling with regard to as
saus for he remembered, and always with bitter wrath
the blows received elder Bennett and the fact that
liza had never retaated but had often done kindly deeds
for his assaants. Mr. Bennett, said his friend might
have taken the high moral and handed May over
TO magistrate but he could not do 1t remembering his
fathers history.
A TRIBUNE reporter called upon DR.. May last evening
70 inquire not he had received any news from
his son since the latter left the city, Dr. Mays appear
anee was pitiable confirmation Of the probability Of
something tragic being at hand Trembling and haagard
he had evidently aged greatly within the past two
days. and waited with fear, expecting every moment
n telegram that would bear news OF relief or
anguish DR.. May admitted that his son had
left the city Friday evening, and with no
very peaceful purpose; he almost admitted his
knowledge Of probable duel but when or where IL was
to take place he had idea and the tears often rolled
down his cheeks furrowed with care and anxious watch
ing as he waited learn the dread news. The rumor
brought from down caused him much anxiety, but
he could not believe that telegram would be sent there
before no received Ate sitting in his reception
room till near IL o'clock, Dr. May retired upstairs but
not to bed for some time Up to midnight word had
been received by him or at the club.
A dispatch received last night from Baltimore de-
clares that Dr. Frederick May IN that city This is
the cousin OF the NewYork Frederick May and the gen.
tleman whom rumor has made the second OF Mr. Ben
nets opponent. II has been reported repeatedly that
the Baltimore cousin had already joined Mr. May for the
duel with Mr.. Bennett.