Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-09
z. n HITW Q RE.
Pgblishsr and Pregrietol
a ABRGEzE in NEW YORK sOCIETY.
The COVhidIng OF Bennett by Miss
Asay's Brother.

May y bIoLuGF.
The New York Times, of Janu-
airy 4th, prints the following:
The tide of pleasant gossip which
has been on its way through fash
ionable circles in this city for some
time past in regard to the nuptials
of james Gordon Bennett, the pro,
prietor of The Herald, and Miss
Edith May, was rudely broken into
yesterday by the report of an angry
encounter or fracas between Mr..
Bennett and Mr.. Frederick May, a
brother of Miss Edith May. It is
well known that Mr.. Bennett has
been paying attention to Miss May
for more than year past, and their
speedy marriage has been regarded
as certainty for some time. They
appeared frequently together in So
ciety, and Mr.. Bennett was re-
garded by many as being very de-
voted to the lady. The preparations
for the marriage were discussed in
various social circles from time to
time by friends ever since the tnpto
Canada by Mr.. Bennett and Miss
May last winter, when Lord Duf
lerin gave grand ball at Toronto
Rumors came at times about certain
wild escapades on the part Of Mr.
Bennett, and following on their
heels were various statements
| 10 the effect that the engage
ment had been broken off. There
was sufficient uncertainty for awhile
to set fashionable circles in a fer
ment, but the rumors and discus
sionS we're apparently stilled last
week by the arrival in this city,
from Paris, of Miss Mays bridal
trousseau. The rstintimation the
outside world received since, that
pleasant relations had not been re-
stored between the two, was afforded
in the report of the encounter be-
tween Mr.. May and Mr.. Bennett,
which took place in front of the
Union Club, at Twenty-frst street
and Fifth avenue, yesterday. Con
cerning the occurrence the stories
told by different persons vary some.
what in details, but the main fea-
lures Sre the same in all.
THE AFFAIR FULLY DESCRIBED.
An intimate friend Of one of the
principals to the transaction said /:
"This unfortunate affair was not OF
all precipitated it has been brew
ing for more than a week past
Mr.. Bennett was to have been mar,
ried on the 2Gth Of December, not
on the Sd of January, as some
state, but his conduct during the
past month was such that the
young lady's friends could under
no consideration allow the marriage
to take place. Tne marriage was
accordingly broken off. The May
family became greatly incenSed to-
ward Mr.. Bennett, being convinced
that his extraordinary irregularities
were perpetrated for the purpose Of
preventing the marriage. The
meeting with Frederick May was
not unexpected by Mr.. Bennett,
as the latter saw Mr.. May walking
up aud down Fifth avenue, EVIDENT
ly waiting for him. Mr.. Bennett
thereupon lit a cigar, and emerged
from the entTan0s of Union Club
Just as Mr. May reached the corner
Of Twenty-fFst street. The two
gentlemen walked toward each
other, and met midway between the
corner of Fifth avenue and the
club entrance. Without uttoring a
syllable, Mr., May raised a large
rawhide, which he had kept con-
cealed on his person, and struck
Mr. Bennett full in the face, blood
following the stroke. A second
and third blow followed, and before
Mr.. Bennett had time to recoFsr
his surprise at the suddenness Of
the attack, he had received two Sc
we're cuts on the face - ono on the
nose, and one over the lefteye. On
regaining his self-possession Mr..
Bennett struck at Mr.. May, and
the two men elinched and fell. In
the struggle which followed, Mr..