The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-06
THE MAY-RENNETT AFFAIR.
THE CHANCES FOR A DuEL-sfR. BENNETT
IN NBosTON-CAUsE OF THE HEATTACK-WII1
THE MAY FAMILY BECAME INCENsED.

THE CHANCES FOR A DuEL-MR. BENNkTI
IN NBosToN-CAusE OF THE ATTACK-wII1
THE MAY FAMILY BECAME INcENsED.
A personal friend OF Mr.. Bennett stated
to Times reporter yesterday afternoon,
that he had argued long ard earnestly with
Mr.: Bennett to dissuade him from allowing
himself to be drawn into any hostile act
against Mr.. May. He had tried to impress
upon him the absurdity OF such course,
and that he had assured him the whole
affair would soon be forgotten. "In
short, !" said he, I" / tried my best to prevent
Mr.. Bennett from sending Mr.. May chal-
lenge; but, after all, it may be that he has"
Other OF Mr.. Benefits friends have also
been putting forth their utmost endeaYors
in similar direction, but it is feared they
have met with but Indifferent success at
best. Should Mr.. Bennett challenge Mr..
May there are strong grounds for saying
| that the gauntlet thus thrown down will be
promptly taken up.
Those most Intimately associated with
Mr.. Bennett stated yesterday that that gem
tleman had gone, OR was going, to Wash
ington, and the fact, as received by tele-
graph last evening, that dispatch was
awaiting the gentleman at the Arlington
House, gives color to the assertion. There
are several historic duelling grounds IN the
immediate vicinity Of the national capital
such, for instance, as Bladensburg and the
Chain bridgc-and it cannot be stated posi-
lively that the princiWlsain this unfortu-
nate affair will not exchange shots upon
one OF these. The May family are natives
OF Washington, and are widely known
throughout that section Of country, where
they have host OF warm friends. For this
reason, if for no other, Mr.. May, who would
have the choice Of ground as well as Wea-
pons, would naturally.seek that locality for
the transaction OF ant5unpleasant business
OF the nature evidently contemplated. At
all events, the next twenty-four hours Will
doubtless throw q deal Of light upon the af-
fair.
ALLEGED PREPARATIONS FOR A DUEL.
1t was rllmored late last night that prepa-
rations had been made for hostile meeting
in Canada between james Gordon Bennett
and Frederick May, his assailant OF We'd
nesday afternoon. The report is that
the arrangements for the meeting were
completed on Wednesday night, and that
John G. Hecksher and another gentleman i'm.
mediately departed for the North. 1t ls
declared they are to act as seconds to MIR.
Bennett. Furthermore, it is reported that
when Mr.. Bennett went to his home after
the rencontre on Wednesday afternoon he
sent for his counsel. Mr.. John Townshend,
and upon that gentleman's appearance die
tated to him the terms Of his will. Thus, ii
duel takes place, and Mr.. Bennett is NOR
tally hurt, the disposition OF his property
appears to be provided for.
SKETCH OF JoHN'G. HECKSHER.
Mr.. John G. Hecksher, the gentleman
who, it is said, will act as Mr.. Benefits
second in the proposed duel. is we'll known
in this city. He is we'll qualified to act in
such an affair. Several years ago he had
some experience at duelling in Canada,
his adversary then being Mr.. Winnie
Gray. Neither Of the participants in
that affair was hurt; but from what
can be learned the cause OF the meet
ing between them was of such scandalous
nature that their breach is not yet healed.
Mr.. Gray was, previous to his duel with
Hecksher, very wealthy man. He has
since become reduced in circumstances,
and is now in the employ of Mr.. james
Gordon Bennett. Mr.. Hecksher was in bis
youth an officer, with the rank OF captain,
on the staff of General Philip Sheridan,
and rs such served during the war.-Ne,o
York Times.
THE CAUSE OF THE ATTACK UPON MR.. UESNETT.
Though it has been whispered for son e
time past that this engagement either
had been or soon would abe broken of, it
was so obviously improbable that any
man would wilfully draw public attention
to the personal affairs of young lady by
street encounter that some more becoming
cause for the difficulty had to be supposed;
and upon inquiry among the friends OF the
father of Mr.. May, DR.. William May, OF No.
A west Nineteenth street, our reporters
were informed that on Tuesday night Mr.
Bennett called at the house and had most
unpleasant alteration with DR.. May, in the
course of which he used language which
Mr.. Frederic May, OH hearing OF it yester-
day morning, felt bound to resent, as he
did.-Ne,o Yorlc World.
The May family became greatly incensed
toward Mr.. Bennett, being convinced that
his extraordinary irregularities were per-
petrated for the purpose of preventing the
marriage.-Ne,o York Times.
MIR. BENNETT AND FRIEND EN- ROUTE TO
BOSTON.
HARTFORD, Conn.,, January 4.-James
Gordon Bennett and friend passed
through here on the express this noon
closely closeted IN drawing-room car.
They had tickets for Boston.