New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-18
FREDERICK MAYS DISGRACE.
THE TRUTH OF THE DUEL.

FREDERICK MAYS DISGRACE.
THE TRUTH OF THE DUEL.
ATTEMPTING To SHOOT HIS ANTAGONIST BEFORE
THE WORD WAS GIvEN-THE PISTOL MISSES
FIRE-MR. BENNETT DISCHARGES HIS WEAPON
IN THE AIR, CRYING OUT THAT UE GIVES MAY
HIS uFE-IHE DIsGRACKD DURHsT HURRiEs
Aw,Y-MR BENEFITS INTENTION IN GOING
ABROAD.
The story of the Bennett May duel, rs told by
the various newspapers of NewYork Philadelphia, aud
Baltimore, although IL has been varied by the ingenuity
of many reporters and correspondents and Tie tales OF
innumerable friends of the Bennett snd MAY families,
who knew little than the newspapers themselves
has been SO from the truth to much amuse
nent 10 those acquainted with tic facs No authentic
account has yet been published circumstances which
need not mentioned rendering 1t nadvisabe for the
friends Of either party mako known e facts before
this morning and to THE TRiBuNE has been gwen the
st accurate narrative, as related by eye-wlt'sa'A
of the encounter between Mr.. Bennett and MI May
Fer several days 1t has been whispered about that the
friends of Mr. May were much troubled by suspicion
which was growing prevalent that his conduct in the
course of the duel had not been crcdtable but the
Knowledge OF the truth in regard to his extraordinary
behavior was confined 70 a few and tc number Of those
who had any suspicion Of the depth or the dhg acc
which he had brought upon himself was small
Bennett fully intended to marry Miss Nay unti Inc
rupture occurred The were fitted up in his Rouse
at Fihsye and Thirty-eighhs in the most sumptuous
manner for her occupation. Those who have seen the
APARTMENTS declare them 10 nc marves OF
aYii &c InagniGccnce After the assault in Twenty
frsi-et Mr Bennett desired to find means OF setting
the matter without the publicity and scandal which
wonld surely be Gucnt upon duel Several con-
spl;aous were held between him ana his friends, but
tcy all resulted in tho conclusion that dnel must follow
the street encounter The challenge was sent the ar
rangementS including the drawing mp Of new VIII 0y
Mr. Bennett, were completed. and the principals with
Their friends and police surg on not wholly LhKho"n
60 fame by devious routes arrived at the Gueng ground
at Niarydc Maryland.
The FIST shot fell TO M May. If he could kill or DIS
able his antagonist while the words "onc two, three
wore delivered in rapid succession by the Others second
he was safe should fail it would he his turn to be
target FOR the ballet OF his opponent. H. however lie
nrrd before or after the words, lie by the code
coward and in hc killed his opponent, murderer
This afrancc1nent has been found 10 be farcr Than IL
seems thought 10 the ducst who has the second
shot for the VI tic man VINO discharges his
pistol first dscompOscs his aim, and acts rs sied to
fire other and in the present Mr.. May betrayed
nervousness strangely at variance with his reputation as
cool and accurate marksman when lac took Ills posi-
ton he was Observed TO he greatly disc0mpoaaj sir
Bennett on tnr other hand showed no signs OF tfe,Hdi
ton either speeeB manner and from the first seemed
look Inc meeting rather rs Csaoiee'b4e IMAM
dangerous occurrence.
The arrangements having been completed, the Two
principals took positions at distance Of about y
wards a,rlrt The pistols were loaded and banded 10
item ana tn seconds retired TO side. Then came
The question care you readyF' Immediately, and be-
fore the one" could be given, Mr. May raised hi pistol
took hasty aim end pulled the trigger The
,grapon missed fire. On RECEIVING the intiinaGon
that it was his turn. Mr. Bennett raised
his stol cried scOrnfllly 81 could kin you now II |
wished" ana pointing IL into the cir fred quickly TIE
G3ellsts then saircd another, when suddenly over
come by shame and modification, 20 The utmost amaze
mort Of al present Frederick May turned and hurried
ovay unable longer to face his DISGRACE u I'M
pulse OF generosity tho part ~ Mr. Bennett rs all
felt which caused him to firo into the air. but sudden
desire 10 repay with interest t1c modification when hc
had felt in the pu,lic ashing before the clubhouse No
woras passed between the two principals at any time
during the MEETING except Mr. BENEFITS remark when
ne fred his pistol IN the ar and the propositions" 80
often mentioned were myths. AS soon as The TAI
for OF the rereating duest ont Of sight the rest
of the party returned q the railroad station.
Upon getting back 10 Ncw-York, hr. Bennett made q
STAY IN the city Of oaly five hours' duration, bcasins
himself a. quickly a. possible TO the shores 81 N'W-jer-
srv Here he remained secreed his valet Albert N"s'
attending HIS business and preparing for his European
trp until Saturday last when he embarked on board t
civ of Richmond with his sister Miss Jeanette, and His
constant companion Voge The published reports Of the
espr were substantially correct, but IT was not trnc
that Mr. Bennett was on board Of Tie Herald yacht for
several days How long viii stay abroad IS uncertain
bn IA j. probable that will remain for considerable
time Is ne j. known have taken 80 trunks WITH him
for bis sister and himself
rspurt was received last evening that FIctcrcE May
VA. H. Washington. and had been seen in company with
iva gentlemen az the National 1hcatcr.