Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-05
The Bennett.May A lair.

IN Filth a7snus ADD Twenty-Grst street. AT
,ha, hour the indolert habituss oftbe club were
startled by the ia:ellieence-whicf, sped like
1idf.e through The uuid!pg-.ba; Mr.. Ben.
ue,s, the proprietor CT the Herald: was being
assaulted BY Mr. Fred. Mag, trolher OF Mr.
Beuae,,'s cz.iauce, Miss Caroline May. As
stated il these dispatches yesterday, Mr.. Ben.
net, had been paying attention 70 Miss Nay
Tor more than a year past. Ihey appeared Ire
queatly together IN society, and MI. Bennett
was regarded by many as being exceedingly dc.
voted TO the lady. The preparation for the
marriage was discussed 10 various social circles
from time to time ever since the trip 10 Cana
da b. Mr.. Bennett and Miss May las! winter,
when Lord Duferln gave a grand ball at 10.
ronto, at which MIR. Bennett aud party were
the guests of the evening. Rumols gained cir.
culauop ar times about certain wild escapades
en- the part of Mr.. Bennett, and following on
their heels were various statements TO the el-
feet that the engagement had been broken OF.
There was sufficient uncertainty touching the
event for while to set fashionable circles 10 a
fafment but the rumors and discussions were
apparently stiled last week By the arriva! in
this civ from Paris of Miss Mays bridal tros-
seau, which is valued at the fabulous sum OF
$40, 900. Their speedy marriage has been re.
garded as a certainty fer some days By the
friends of the parties.
There is dispute, however, With respect 10
the accuracy of the report tha: the day tor the
wedding had been fixed. Mr.. Benefits lntl-
mate f.iacds, who have been consulted Cd the
subject, declare such is not the case. That
MIR. Bennett fully intended to marry the lady
because he really loved her and she reclprocated
the sentiments is not denied Ga the other
hand, the friends OF the Mays assert that Mr..
Bennett went off 90 ore Of bis ''eraodest sprees"
with the deliberate intention OF having bis scan
da!ous conduct reach the ears Of the father and
relatives or the young lady, and Influence then
to advise her to break of the match. They
say that Mr.. Bennett and Miss May were TO
have been married yesterday morning at an
early hour, and were to have gone to Europe 10
the Russia, which sailed from this port shortly
before noon, on which vessel they bad engaged
state rooms. Everything was 10 readiness for
the ceremony at the residence Of the brides
father. The friends of the family were gath
cred 10 the spacious parlors, which were ira
grant with the odors of the sweetest hoTers.
The lovely bride was attired 10 matches
travelling dress, and never looked more beautl-
full as on this her wedding day. But the bride
groom, az indispensable actor IN the scene,
came not. AS the Russia was advertised to
sail at noon, those present became DOT little
solcitous when only an hour ln!ervercc before
the departure OF the steamer. Messengers were
dispatched to the VESSELS agents requesting .
brief delay, in order 10 give the bridegroom
more time within which to redeem his pledges
to Miss May. But Mr.. Bennett was nowhere
visible. Was be sick, thought the ezpoctaat
H.. how h,,t hnr,
not even a word of explanation, apology or ex
cuse received. At last the friends departed,
and Miss Mays two brothers. William ard
Frederick, sailed forth in quest os Mr.. Ben
nett, determined to cha5ise hr, for the cut
rage, as they regarded il.
Between and > clock in the afternoon .lr.
May was walking up Fifth avenue AID saw Alr,
Bennett pass down 10 the direction OF the Union
Club. He followed him down the avenue. aus
saw him enter the club house. Not be!lg
member OF the club. Mr. May remalacd outside
on the street. expecting that Mr.. Bennett would
come cut Immediately, which the latter, how
ever did not do. Mr.. May waited for about al
hour on the street, until be saw Mr.. Bennett
passing out from the club accompanied By some
friends. just as he stepped upon the sidewalk
Mr. May came up to him, and, without saying
a word, took light cowhidc from under bis
overcoat aud struck him on the head with t
three or four times MIR. May had no stick or
weapon of any kind in his haods, except the
light whip which he had brought with him Tor
the purpose Of giving the proprietor Of the
Herald public togeing.
Mr. Bennett is well-knt. muscular man,
but lis assaiant is considerably over six feet
10 height and Welknown athlete and Is it
was evident that Mr. Bennett for some reason
desired to avoid using violence with hlu, the
latter received several severe blows, one OF
which cut him across the face and wounded him
severely. The moment Mr.. May struck Mr..
Bennett the latter, without makiog the slight
est attempt to ward off the blows, threw open
both his coats, as Mr.. May supposed to draw
weapon from his pocket Seeing this move.
ment on the part Of Mr.. Bennett, Mr.. May
struck at him with his ceuched fists and knock
ed him down on the sidewalk and then delibe-
ratey sat down on him for a moment. but did
not strike him while be was down. Mr.. Ben
nett get.up and faced his antagonist, and again
Mr.. May Knocked him down. Mr.. May would
not have struck Mr.. Bennett 10 the first To-
stance With his fists were not that he believed
the latter vas armed and vas going to draw
revolver on him. When MIR. Bennett had been
cowhided and knocked down twice gentleman
named Mr.. Hecksher stepped in aud said
that is sufficient He then separated the
combatauts. Mr.. May buttoned up his coat
and walked down the avenue, while Mr.. Ben
nett was taken away from the scene Of the en-
counter By his friends.iAt So clock Mr.. Bennett
having recovered from the effects OF the beat.
ing, sent for his sleigh and was driven home.
On reaching bis residence he sent for hlr.
Leonard W. Jerome and Mr. Duncan, and .
few other intimate friends aud consultation
was held as to what should be done under the
circumstances. Mr. Bennett, who, Of course,
feels Inundated at his casigation, insists, it is
understood, on challenging Dir. May to mortal
combat Those of his advisors. howevcr,who
are thoroughly conversant with the code Of
honor" say that this is impossible, as the per-
son challenged cannot 10 honor, according to
the code, fight duel with an adversary who
has been disgraced by the cowhdc The stu
alton is looked upon by Mr. Benefits most
Intimate friends as exceedingly embarrassing,
but they hope that with sober reflection they
may be able to find some way out of the diff
Guilty which shall be consistent with the honor
Cali ~