The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-03-29

Lazy Florence Dixie Assaulted by Masked
Men in WOmen's Apparel at Windsor
She SwOons Away, but, Protected by a
Faithful Dog, Escapes without Serious
Injury-DeniaI that Any Irish Organiza-
tion Had Anything to Do With the As
sauIt.
LONDON, March IS.
Lady Florence Dixie was attacked at Wind
sor yesterday by two men disguised in wom-
ems clothes. Her dress was cut with daggers
in several places, but she received no injury.
Lady Florence was walking in 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
daggers, fell in a swoOn. This occurred at 4:45
O'Clock in the afternoon. She did not recover
ner senses until 5:I5.
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
in a swoon.
Lady Florence gave the New York Herald
correspondent the follow account of the af-
fair:
Il returned from ireland six weeks ago, and
came here for the purpose of retirement and
quiet, as / have great deal of work to do,
though at this period of the year I invariably
stay at our seat in Leicestershire. On Satur-
day afternOn at quarter to five / sauntered
into the plantation which adjoins The Fish
cries with my st. Bernard dog, and had
reached the gate opening into Windsor road,
when my attention was first attracted to a
soldier and a woman passing by. While look
ing after them and mentally remarking the
fine physique of the man, was addressed by
yEa
in long clOaks 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. I 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
faced round to meet them had
scarcely done so when one seized me
by the throat and struck me violently on the
head, and threw me on the ground. I called
loudly for help, when they pushed clay into
my mouth. l then saw by their clean-shaved
chins that they were men in the disguise Of
women's apparel. While PROSTATE saw the
other man raise knife and aim a savage blow
at my right breast. The knife struck the steel
ribs of my corset and glanced off. Without
utterfng word, he again made stab, which
I caught in my left hand. 1 remember seeing
him raise his hand to strike another blow,
which received in my right hand. also re-
/
road and seeing my dog fly at the men. Then
] swOOned. I came to my senses half an hour
afterward, and found myself lying in the same
spot where fell. 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 animal of the st. Bernard breed
! Lady Florence Dixie attributes her marvellous
escape from the assassin's 5 knife. 1t is pre-
sumed that the dog followed the wOuld-be mur-
! 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
| ascribe motive to no one, as my sympathies
! for the Irish people have been openly avowed
/ and are wen known"
/ 1t was assumed that the attack would be
! laid at the door of the Irish, assumption
| which she warmly repudiated, adding: g In
| these days every crime must be of Irish
origin