New-York tribune., 1884-01-17
A NOSE BROKEN AT A BALL.
ASSAULTED IN THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.
COLONEL LAIRD's sTEP-soN STRUCK DY MR. FREsh-
MAN-AN APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED


MAN-AN APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED.
Edward A. Freshman, of the Hotel Vendome,
nt 4lstst and Broadway arraigned before Justice
Powers in the York1e Police Court yesterday charged
with assauting William Cowing, stcp-son OF Colone
G. H. Laird OF the 22d Regiment Veteran Corps at the
Old Guard Ball IN the Metropolitan Opera House last
Thursday. Mr. Freshman, in company with MS "he,
attended the ball the guest OF T. Duncan Snhen Oh
No 10 West Fortyninth-st. who occupied box NO loo.
Mr. Cowng and Colonel Laird guests OF the sian VI
the 22d Regiment who were in box No 90. MT Cowins
went 10 Mr. snifens box az Mrs. Snifen had PROMISED
him the next dance He found II occupied py seNeia
ladies' but Mrs snifen was absent ana NO sa' "o" "
await her return. He had been In the Do1 oniy No
time when Mr.. Freshman entered and TOOK sea. near
his wife, and shortly afterward MI CoWnE
leave the box Then he says Mr.. Fleshman spranE
10 his feet and grasping him by the eohar
dealt him stnging blow IN the l"ce'
breaking his nose Mr.. Cowing says that the piow par
tally stunned him and that he remembers was that ne
was led away by some frienus' -,
The next morning at five O'Clock Colone Lara caiieo
upon Mr. Freshman at his room in the Hotel Venoome
and held a short and animated conversation with him
concerning Il affair." in the course OF which IL Is sau
Mr. Freshman called to his wife TO oring hin
On the following day Colonel Laird received Tue iono"
ing letter from Mr.. Freshman;
NwE-YoRK, Jan. IL, 1884.
DEAR SIR: II was my intention 10 9IecI @ 1ni9 W W & MI
Cowpg @ but as 90 mot shIW Ssr 1 the
Of Thursday address 1t 10 you Tiua ha eeinS
melted by the hasty action %oO8 on my pGs. part %t
need hardly say ,or TO a aitber Ss or your and
hOyance | am ready TO make any reparauon IN Hy
power for my unwaanable action for when can oueT a
tbonehtess haste aggravated by the flush OF wine beg
TO assure you and him that shall ever be mornea
at nv foolish rage and that the apology that Is nean
to be conveyed to him MS Is sincere T,u afe be
made to both in Of ts You RSR % you please convey
Mr.. EOwng this expression of my sincere regret ana
WY E. A. FRESHMAN.
The hearing Of the matter set down for Saturday
Before leaving the court there was an animated
scene between Mr.. Freshman and Colonel LAIRD. Inc
latter said that he would have all the ladies that wit
messed the assault including Mrs. Freshman. in court
20 testify in the matter. To this Mr FRESHMAN retoFIeu
If you carry out that threat you'll be the so sGrgst man IN
could not threaten him and with this parting shot nc
lett tue court room. ,.--.,..
To a TRIBUNE reporter VINO calleu Oh uIin aS' oNo"6
II regret the publicity this matter has had principally
on account the ladies who were present. ana VINO WIZ
IN consequence be subjected to great annoyance had
dancing with lady, and on my return 70 my @ Dox
transferred her to the arm OF her husband, whom met
at tue door on entering alone otno- ouIu Ia
Gy, my Te e ssa'S box. 1 together 0v with Mr. snasn
and gentleman that did not know. After moment OF
yery glad you came back. have been trying to catch
your eye TOR time. That man there, Polnllhg 70
seeing that the subject OF conversation Mr. Cowing
rose to depart, and | turned to MI Snlien ana
sald, do you know that man, Mr.. Sniheh
He replied No. .
81 followed Mr. Cowing out, and oyertaklng MIN IN the
corridor placed my hand his shoulder and SAID:
sWhat do You want here and who are youP He replied
that II WAS nope OF my business at the same time backing
nm against the wall aud squarng of as If 10 strike me-
Without more ado gave him the nose with all my
force and when | hit I hit to hurt. He reeled OF
then down the aisle and returned TO the box Mr. sniies
went out in a few minutes returned and said that MT
Cowing whom had struck was badly injured and that
the aarwas deplOrable from the TACT that ne knew
that Mr. COwug a step-sOn OF colonel Ldlru All
fhis occnrred about two o'clock In the morning.
bou five O'Clock Colonel Laird, who had represented
himself 10 inc porter Of the hotel being my brother
kuOcked at my door and said he must me on very
imporaut business. somewhat surprised, there
fore to meet Colonel Laird. cannot recall ali that
| passed between us. but know that he was abusive
AMI emany and used fOrcble expressions IN the
| presence OF my wife. l stood good deal, Dut my
patience finally exhausted and desired him 10 leave
the and hotel by the way he entered lc9nnot re-
member whether asked my wife for revolver but very
likely did although had not any intention OF shooting
unless he began hOstilities.
on the next day wrote letter OF apology TO Colonel
Laird for anxious, at any cost, TO prevent the
This letter which much apolOgetic than would
write again under the circumstances ought TO have
been entirely satisfactory both Colonel Lard ana his
sepson since they do not consider II and have
brouRht the matter up shall certainly use all my
endeavors to make 1t exceedingly unpleasant for both
parties"
Mr. Freshman who Is business In this city. Is small
but cOmpscty built man with yivaclOus manner. MI
Cowing ii is said il at least third larger