The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-04
j. G. BENNETT ASSAULTED.
"A AsCENE That STARTLED MEMBERS
or THE UNION Gun.
Frederick May Lying In Walt In Front OF the
club IIou.e-Tbe Meeting aud Attack
Benuett struck with n WHIP, Knocked
Dawn md Thrown into the street.

Frederick May Lying In Wait In Front OF the
club uouse-The Meeting aud Attack k-NIr.
Benuett struck with n WHIP, Knocked
Down md Thrown into the street.
Shortly after O'Clock yesterday after
noon the babitu6s OF the Union Club were
startled 10y the information. that sped like Will
fire through the building, that Mr.. James Cor
don Bennett, the proprietor OF the Herald, was
being assaulted by MIR. Frederick May, on the
Sidewalk In front of the club house. Members
OF the club were aware OF the fact that the
struggle might end In a tragedy, as May was
known to have been in a desperate mood since
Saturday. MIR. May IL the brother OF Miss Caro-
line May, who has been afnanced to Mr.. Ben
nett. Mr.. May Ia an athlete, and has
an ensiabe reputation among club men as a
heavy. weight litter. and as one who is abund-
hntly able to caro- for himself In struggle. He
was very indignant concerning MIR. Benefits
treatment Of his sister. and yesterday he traced
Mr. Bennett to the Union Club building MIR.
May IL not a member OF tue club, and tn herefore
did not presume to enter and there encounter
Mr. Bennett. May wore long coat, and as he
stood near the railing in Twenty first street sew
eral friends passed, and noticed that he
was much aetated, and that he kept
sharp watch upon the entrance to
the club house. Mr.. Bennett was within, enjoy
ing refreshments. lie was uncommunicative,
and his acquantances not that his iollty was
artificial. lie sent a message for his sleigh. and
when II arrived at the door he prepared himself
for al ride In the Central Park. lie wore a long
coat and a jaunty cap. and a splendid silk hand.
kerchief was wound around his neck. He
seemed much annoyed at the watchful glances
Of the clubs people. He was to have sailed for
England yesterday with his bride In the Russia,
and the subject Of the breaking OF OF the mar
principal hotels by the fiends and acquaint-
ances OF both.
when Mr. Bennett lighted a cigarette in the
trrge hallway Of the club house and started
toward the street the door was opened wide for
him by the attendant, who Is employed 10 bow
persons In and out. Mr. Bennett slowly
descended the staircase, and Just as he reached
the sidewalk Mr.. May confronted him. MIR. Ben
nett stepped backward. and Mr.. May drew a
small whip from his great coat. With much
force aud rapidty he struck Mr.. Bennett across
the face three times. Blood streamed from
gashes under his eyes and from a frigh, full cut
on his nose. lie staggered for a moment. and
then threw himself upon MIR May. They
rlinchsd, but Mr.. May being the more
powerful OF the two, forced himself from Mr..
BENEFITS grasp. At this the latter made an
other unge at Mr.. MAY. who struck at him from
on the sidewalk. Blood stained the snow from
the sidewalk to the gutter. Attaches Of the club
house and pedestrians ran to MIR. Dennett's as
sistance. No attempted to stop Mr.. May
who, with his hands in his pockets, walked
ieisurely toward Fifth avenue.
1t was said by some persons In the club rooms
and hotels in the neighborhood that Mr.. Den-
nett wrested the whip from Mr.. May and threw
him. but those who were nearest to the scene
Bay that such was not the case. Mr.. Bennett
was carried into the house and bis face was
bathed. His sleigh was sent away and cao was
ordered. Then b was taken to his home IN
Fifth avenue, where he was attended by his
physician.
Police oficers near the clue house said that
they knew nothing OF the nght, alttoueh nvs
minutes after It happened 1t was the chief topic
In all the neighboring hotels. Miss Ma, S two
brothers were on the lookout for MIR. Bennett
ns early Us o'clock yesterday morning. They
went 10 the Russia, thinking th at he misbt take
passage In that steamer. but he was not there.
William May, Frederick's brother, was In the
CLUB house last evening for few moments.
He said at fret that he did not care to talk OF
the ANA Inen he said 10 one OF his friends:
1--WE were looking for Mr.. Bennett all day. but
ne was In bidng lie ought to have been cow
lided long ago"
FIR derrick NAV. who made the assault. was at
his home. lie declined to speak Of the assault.
Hppear again for several days iu public.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Mr.. May stepped up as soon as MIR Bennett
had left the stoop, and eraspine him oy the
Ehirt front with one hand, drew "a cowhde rap
IDLY across his face with the other. The whIo
drew blood with every blow. Mr.. Beunett at
practice, but MAY warded OF ever, tlow with
the utmost ease, and dropping his whip, caught
70 lhen Msy as s"a ae s
Observed Mr. Bennett reaching for derringer in
the back pocket Of his panialoons. He there
upon grasped Bennett, aud with a display OF
wonderful strength, threw him from the side
walk nearly into the middle OF the street. Fol
lowing up this advantage, he dragged Mr.. Ben
nett around IN the snow. At this point John
Heckshier interiered and separated tue con
lsstsnts.
MIR. Bennett went into the club house. Fred
NAV spoke with several friends, and then walked
UP the avenue.
II Is said that a challenge Il likely to be sent.
~ y has not already been forwarded, from Mr.
Bennett demanding satisfaction for the assault.
there Is the greatest diversity OF opinion as to
what Nr. Bennett Will do in the premises and
seVera heavj bets have been made to the
Result.
STATEMENT or A MEMBER OF THE CLUB.
A memne Of the Union Club an eve witness
OF the assault on MI James Gordon Bennett ~
MI. Frederick MAY, gives the following version
Of the affair:
81 was gong out Of the club lust after eating
my dinner, when net Mr.. May at the door He
asked me 10 wait few moments, and | would
Zee some fun. lie SAID he INTENDED to horse
demonstrating with MIN, for be was firmly re-
solved to do II. went back In the clun room.
TOOK on my oyercp 4 and went to the window.
MT. Bennett al the time was walking up and
down the room In an excited manner. lie was
smoking cigar. lhs Was the hr,t time / hid
ever seen him smoke IN the daytime. Directly
he put on his oyercoat and walked out tho
door lie stood on the steps for
few minutes, and then started down
NJ. May Waited until he reached tho
sidewalk. ana then going up to him, drew
froln his bre ist cowhide and struck Bennett
with H. i've Or SIX times over the head
and face. The first stroke, | think. was
directly across tho face. Bennett uubuttoned
lis coat ana made motion AS II to draw a
weapon. Nav then clasped him AROUND the
body and q rev hlm out m the street, falliue on
him. No blows were struck ON either SHE. In
throwing Bennett INTO the street May had lost
his cpwnlde and reached arOund in the sHUH to
got II. Members Of the clue then Ihn Out and
lIterfered. May then picked Bennett up aud
threw h ~ bodily halt aCrOss the street. lien-
melt got up aud went into tho club ana Mr.. May
walked away. No Lluws with Their fists were
eT1ck IS either party
UJNTIEEItG 4 W1TCH MEETI