Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-20
Especial Telegram to the Globe I


Special Telegram to the Globe.
ST. Louis, Jan. 19.--A very unpleasant
hotel, between Freddie Gebhardt, of New
York, and Col. A. B. Cunningham, a well
known journalist of this city, now serving
as a reporter on the Globe-Democrat, is
causing great excitement. Strong efforts
were made to suppress the publication of
the affair, but one of the morning papers
has published one side story of it. The
Globe Democrat gave Langtry and her in
fatuated attendant terrible overhauling,
and that evening Cunningham met Fred
Schwab, the Lily's agent, and
had a talk with him about
the publication, which Cunningham was
really responsible for. Cunningham said
that he had heard Schwab said that he had
never said any such thing. About this
time Schwab was called away to the Lily's
parlor. Meeting Gebhardt there he told
him of his meeting with Cunningham.
Gebhardt said he wanted to see the repor-
ter, and he hurried down stairs. Cunning
ham was still at the desk, and Gebhardt
approached him and called him ''a
scoundrel and liar" Cunningham, who
is an old confederate cavalry man of good
record, remained cool and waited
for Freddie to sail in. The latter,
however, only talked, and called on Gun
ningham to meet him in fsticuffs. Gun
ningham said he did not fight in that way,
but would meet Gebhardt la code at any
place or moment. About this time friends
interfered, and both men were led away.
Cunningham sent challenge to Gebhardt
to fight him duel. Gebhardt received it
and was proceeding to answer it when
Langtry got wind of the affair. Then
there was regular scene, and it is said she
made her lover promise to ignore the
challenge altogether. A sanguinary
meeting between The gentlemen, is, how
ever, looked for at any moment, as it is
known that Cunningham is now armed,
and will shoot if the indignity of blow
is offered him. The arrangements have
been sufficiently dramatic in their nature.
All the evening mysterious notes passed
between the Southern hotel, where Geb-
Office. Gebhardt was out riding all the af
ternoon, and all the evening at the hotel.
The correspondence was conducted by
Cunningham's best friend, j. J. Jennings,
dramatic critic of the Globe Democrat, and
Manager Schwab, apparently acting for
Gebhardt. Mr.. Jennings was seen and
asked what the prospects were for a meet
ing between Cunningham and Gebhardt.
Mr.. Jennings had just come from Lang
try's side. She had sent for him and
begged him to use his influence to bring
about an adjustm ent of the difficulty ex-
isting between Freddie and Mr.. Cunning
ham. Mr.. Jennings told the ladyIhis hands
were tied. He is great admirer of the
"Lily," and while condemning the course
pursued by Cunningham, he was still in
duty bound to stand by that gentleman,
having volunteered to act the part of
friend. Mrs. Langtry was terribly agi
tated over the affair, but Mr.. Jennings
could give her no consolation except to say
that he would see Cunningham. Your cor
respondent called at the Southern hotel
and sent up his card to Gebhardt. That
gentleman returned the paste board with
the words, II am not to be interviewed this
evening"" written on the back. The serv-
ant who brought back the message stated
that he knew by the way Gebhardt talked
that he would not see any reporters that
evening.