The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1883-03-28
ATTEMPT TO AssAssINATE LADY
DIXIE.

Lady Florence Dixie Assaulted by Masked
Mon IN Women's Apparel at Windsor
She swoons Away, but, Protected by
Faithful Dog, Escapes without Serious
Inlury-Deninl that Any Irish Orgnnlza-
tlou Had Anything TO DO with the As
sault.
LoNDoN, March rs.
Lady Florence Dixie was attacked ot Wind
sor yesterday by two men disguised i'm wom-
ems clothes Her dress was cut with daggera
in several places, but she received no injury.
Lady Florence was walking I'm a secluded
spot near the woods when the men asked her
what time It was. She replied she had no
watch, and afterwards noticed that, though
they were in women's clothes, their faces had
been shaved.
Much alarmed she started to walk away, and
was followed by the men, one Of whom seized
her She struggled to escape but, seeing their
daggorsi fell I'm a swoon. This occurred at 4:i5
o'clock In the afternoon. She did not recover
her senses until 5:15.
Lady Florence has been prostrated to-day.
The story Of the affair was ELECTED from her
only at intervals. The saving of her life Is
attributed to her st. Bernard dog, which is
supposed to have protected her while she lay
I'm a swoon.
Lady Florence gave the New York Herald
correspondent the follow account Of the af-
fair;
"I returned from Ireland six weeks ago, and
came here for the purpose Of retirement and
quiet as I have great deal Of work TO do,
though at this period of the year ! invariably
stay at our seat in Leicestershlre. On Satur-
day Afternoon at a quarter to five I sauntered
into the plantation which adions The Fish
cries with my st. Bernard dog and had
reached the gate opening into Windsor road,
when my attention was tirst attracted to a
soldier and a woman passing by. While look
ing after them and mentally remarting the
fine physique of the man, was addressed by
what appeared to be two tall women dressed
In long clOazs of dark stuff and wearing wells,
who asked me to tell them the time. ! replied
that had no watch upon me, and turned back
again into the plantation. 7 was about cross
ing the stile when noticed that the women
had followed me. This reused my sus-
Picion, as the ground was private, so 1
faced round TO meet them. had
scarcely done 80 when one seized me
by the throat and struck me violently on the
head, and threw me on the ground ] called
loudly for help, when they pushed clay into
my mouth. then saw by their cleanshavod
Chins that they were men in the disguise of
women's apparel While PROSTATE I saw the
other man raise a knife and aim savage blow
at my right breast The knife struck the steel
ribs of my corset and glanced on. without
uttering a word ne again made a stab, which
caught in my left hand. / remember seeing
him raise his hand to strike another blow,
which I received in my right hand. / also re-
member hearing the noise of a cart in the
road and seeing my dog fly at the men. Then
swooned came TO my senses half an hour
afterward, and found myself lying in the same
spot where 1 fell. 1 got up and walked back
to the house, and told my husband and brother
of the terrible outrage. They Immediately de-
parted for Windsor to lay the account before
the authorities"
To the noble animalOf the st. Bernard breed
Lady Florence Dixie attributes her marvellous
escape from the assassins knife. 1t is pre-
sumed that the dog followed the wOuld-be muir
derers for some distance, as it returned to the
house after the arrival of Lady Florence
Dixie.
Your correspondent questioned Lady Flor
| ence as to the motive of the crime. She said:
"The whole affair is most mysterious. can
ascrlbe a motive to no one, as my sympathies
for the Irish people have been openly avowed
! and are well known"
It was assumed that the attack would be
| laid at the door of the Irish, an assumption
which she warmly repudiated, adding: "In
these days every crime must be of Irish
! origin"