The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-10
THE GOUGAR-WIIIAMS AFFAIR.
DetailsOf the Assault Upon the Third Auditor
Statements of Both Parties.


of the Lair House, yesterday morning, has been
almost tho sole topic Of conversation upon the
streets, and has largely usurped other subjects
in domestic circles 1t has been, in q word, the
sensation of the day. although in point of fact it
scarcely deserved the name of personal en-
counter, and obtained its interest mainly from
the prominence of the parties concerned, and
the decidedly racy chain of events that led up
to it.
The facts of the assault are very briefly these
Colonel Williams, at about 1l:30 o'clock, was
emerging from the Main street entrance Of the
Lahr House, when he encountered Mrs. Cougar,
who was talking to gentleman friend, almost at
the threshold AS soon as Mrs. Gou-
gar him, she rushed forward with
uplfted parasol, and aimed blow at his head.
This was warded off, and fell harmlessly upon
his shoulder A second blow was caught half
way, and Colonel Williams, raising a 1.-the
slender cane, struck her severe blow over the
top of the head. By this time something of
crowd had gathered, and both parties went their
way-the Colonel back into the hotel, and Mrs.
Cougar to the Office Of her legal adviser, Mr. r.
P. Davidson.
AS Mrs. Cougar struck at the Colonel the first
time, she made use of some exclamation, the ex-
act wording of which is a matter of dispute
you villain, why did you speak of my house as
precise verbage of the observation. Colonel
Wilkins made a general denial, but was too
busy catching parasols just then to be explicit
AS matter of course, the news Of the affair
spread like wildfire and was the subject of
much diverse criticism The provocation, as in
Dictated by Mrs. Cougars own exclamation
was an article which appeared in the last issue
of the Sunday Times, in the course of which it
says:
Il see President Henderson was in attendance at a
m of Tho Ghrfct Tay, mir
held at a very questionable place, last Friday"
The fact that the meeting was held at the resi-.
dence of Mrs. Cougar. Ferry street, made
this comment pointed in the extreme. So much
for the casus beli.
Both parties were seen by representatives of
the journal, and two exceedingly salacious in
terviews secured. AS Mrs Cougar was the ag-
gressor, she can first have the floor.
The lady was found at her home, considerably
perturbed i n spirit and with large welt extend
ing upwards from the left ear toward the crown
of the head.
The trouble she said, motioning the caller
to chair goes back good ways. Colonel
Williams is bitter enemy of mine for reasons
he we'll knows and which do not reflect any
credit upon him. He swore he would ruin me,
and he has bounded me with persistency and
venom that never knew to be equaled. The
Mander libel was simply masqIe for Williams,
who was at the bottom of it all He has vilifed
me in every way. Recently, when 1 have ad-
dressed temperance meetings, there have been
letters sent to the postmasters of the towns
where appeared asking series Of questions
about me-"
What were these questions?' interrupted the
visitor.
"Well, here are few samples:
"Dd woman named Cougar lecture at your
place.
What was her conduct
Did she leave alone was she accompanied by
MANI
'There would be numerous others of the same
general tendency, all casting reflections upon me
by inference"
:'How do you connect Colonel Williams with
theseg
''Why who else could write theml'
The reporter gave it up.
In addition to this" she continued, 'there
has not been an issue of the Times that has not
maligned me- This last sur at my home, pub
lished in the latest issue l would never have
seen, but Mrs. DR.. Ingersoll called yesterday
and brought a copy with her. I was goaded to
desperation by it, and begged Mr. Cougar to
take a horse whip and chastise Williams"
did he decline!
''Mr. Cougar is a good, kind husband, but he
lacks nerve and spirit, and would not defend
me. felt that this was the time for him to do
something to show that he resented the insults
that had been heaped upon his wife, but he de-
clined, and went to his Office. Then / consulted
Mr.. Broken brough, who is friend of mine
and also DR.. and Mrs. Ingersol They thought
that had been deeply wronged but advised me
against violence. After that had other friends
go to Mr. Cougar and urge him to take some
step, but he still declined. Then 1 called on Mr.
Davidson and asked him to begin a criminal
libel action against Williams He told me that
it would be difficult, owing to trouble in fixing
the authorship OF the article, and it was after
this interview that passed the Lahr House and
met Colonel Williams.
II could not have passed him, although was
not prepared for an attack, but my indignation
overcame me and struck him with my parasol.
He threw off the blow and when I sought to
repeat it struck me heavily on the head with his
came
NOW, in conclusion, l have but this to say
warn Colonel Williams to let me alone. The
next assault upon me, / shall take vigorous
measures. If no one will defend me 1 will de-
fend myself"
''You say no one will defend YOU
"No. Last night, at the Blue-ribbon meeting.
offered 800 any man who would give Colonel
Williams whipping"
Colonel Williams was called upon at the Sun
day Times Office. He was cool and smiling and
twirled black bamboo cane between his fingers
This was the instrument he had used upon his
antagonist.
''As far as abuse is concerned said the Colo
mel, Il think honors are entirely easy. When
Mrs. Cougar ran her dirty libelous sheet Our
Herald, she did lot hesitate to fling her venom
right into families, and some of our best citizens
have been among her victims. She not only
bounded me UNANIMOUSLY. but she maligned my
boy in the most heartless and cruel way. That
Times has ever said about her was the mere re-
Election of public opinion concerning the woman
There is but one general sentiment concerning
her, and that pronounces her odious."
''What Of the article that led to the attack
ST knew nothing about it whatever. and saw it
only after the assault had been made. 1t is pre-
posterous to claim that had any hand in it. /
was at Washington or at most en- route home at
the time it was penned as every Lafayette citi-
zen who reads the papers is aware
:What was the character of the attackW
s'The first knew of it she few at me with an
offensive epithet and struck at me with her para
sol. / was lucky enough to ward off the blow,
and when she endeavored to hit me again I
struck her with my cane / had no desire to
hurt her, but simply to defend myself, and con-
sidered that when woman so far forgets the
decency and dignity of her sex as to make an
assault upon the public streets, l am entitled to
treat her man. She unsexed herself the
instant she struck that blow
'.UnY do Won regard her offer of &ll0 for anv