The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-25
HORSEWHIPPED IN PUBLIC.
MIR. LLNDLET HOFFMAN CHAPTNLASHEs
Mr.. GARRISON A. POTTER.

An Extraordinary Spectacle In Finh Avenue
Exciting C1ubdom and society-Mr. Pot.
| tiers Stories About M. Chapln and Mr.
Chspin's Vigorous Retort.
| Three men were noticeable among the few
persons who were lelsurely walking up Fifth
avenue above Thirty seventh street at II
o'clock yesterday morning. They appeared to
be looking for some one One OF the three was
Mr.. Lindley Hoffman Chaplin. we'll known
about town and in society Of this city and Bos-
ton. Mr.. Chaplin looked little anxious and
nervous. and his COMPANIONS. too. appeared
| flustered At Forty-nrst street they halted in
the shadow Of the Reservoir and talked in an
undertone for a few moments. Presently one
OF them exclaimed:
Here he comes now"
According to an eyewitness. Mr.. Chaplin
left his companions without word. and
started across the avenue to where Mr.. Clark
son A. Potter was coming along with rapid
strides, swinging an umbrella. Mr.. Potter is
socially as distinguished as Mr.. Chaplin. and is
q nephew Of Bishop Potter. He is much
younger than Mr.. Chaplin. Hedld not notice the
latter. who was also walking fast now. but was
somewhat hindered by his efforts to extricate
some object from within his overcoat. When
they came together Mr.. Chaplin had this OBJ
jcct. which proved to be n short whip. in his
right hand. A moment later he brought It
around Mr. Potter's head with n swish.
There. take that" cried Mr.. Chaplin an
grily. That will teach you to tell lies about
mo-"
Mr.. Potter turned. and recognizing his COM
panion replied hotly:
III you deny the story have told about
your actions. you lie."
Mr.. Chapin's reply was another cut with the
whip. BY this time his two companions had
crossed over and they interfered. Mr. Potter
swung his umbrella Mt Mr. Chaplin. but in the
confusion it was difficult to tell whether It
landed or not. Mr.. Chapin's companions took
hold OF him. one at each arm. and
marched away with him. Mr.. Potter con-
tinued on his way down town. An acquaint-
ance who met him said last night that his lip
was bleeding and that he was holding hand
kerchief to the wound. but there was no mark
OF any kind upon his face or head when the
reporter saw him later.
For month past there have been scandalous
stories current in the clubs in certain circles
OF society in this city and Boston affecting Mr..
Chaplin and Mr.. Potter. Efforts have been
made to hold the tongue OF gossip. but with
out distinguished success. The stories re-
gardinR tho relations OF the mon gained wide
circulation. 1t all began with n luncheon
which both men attended ono afternoon a
month ngo. They were friends then. and for
that day Mt least on the most intimate terms
They drank considerable wine. as report has
1t. and Mr.. Chaplin admits this Impeachment
They were somewhat under the influence OF
its spell when they started to drive up town in
Mr.. Chapins carriage.
Later in the day Mr.. Potter appeared at the
Knickerbocker Club and announced to q
4, L.
grossly insulted by Mr.. Chaplin. Asked about
the affair he said that while in the carriage
Mr. Chaplin had acted in an inconcevably out
rageous manner and that he had thereupon
struck him in the face and left the carriage.
This incident. he added. had occurred in front
OF the club house. This story. in ali its details.
was repeated rapidly in the circles Of society in
which the men moved and finally in yelled
form got into print.
Mr.. Chaplin WAS seen Mt his home. West
Thirty seventh street. last night. He was In
the company Of his brother. Mr.. Winslow Cha
pin Of Boston. Mr.. Lindley Chaplin is reputed
to be several times a millionaire and lives in
magnificent style. He is about 40 years OF
age is OF medium height and build. and wears
a black beard. He smiled when the reporter
asked him about the horsewhippinG.
" 1t was the outcome" he said. OF the sto-
ries Mr.. Potter has been circulating about me.
did not learn Of 1t until week after he had
told 1t and wrote to him about 1t repeatedly.
He had until this morning to retract and. as
he refused to do so. no other course than a
public whipping was open to me. l met him
at Forty first street and Fifth avenue and cut
him over the face. He called me a liar. then"
YES" interrupted Mr.. Winsow Chaplin.
who is an athletic looking man with light hair
and moustache. and Mr.. Chaplin struck him
again."
Yes" put in Mr.. Lindley Chaplin. II cut
him again."
Were you accompanied by any one p" asked
the reporter.
NO" said Mr.. Wnslow Chaplin. he was
alone. but there were witnesses In the
How did Mr. Potter como to tell this story ?"
asked tho reporter.
II don't know" said Mr.. Lindley Chnpin.
Il don't want to say anything about Mr.. Pot |
ter. Hc is young man. He and had been |
at musicale. and had drunk n great deal OF |
wine that day. ! left him there. and afterward |
for him. and lie came up town with |
me in my carriage"
A servant announced dinner at this moment. |
and n friend called to see Mr.. Lindley Chaplin. |
He refused to go into any further particulars.
Mr.. Potter was In evening dress when the
avenue Mr., Potter is worry youthful IN APP
pea rance and not nearly so big as MI. Chaplin.
lie has n frank, omen face. light hair and line
manners; He was very much disturbed at the
fnme that had been thrust upon him. AT first
no refused t. say anything. but finally con-
lit is true" lie said. "thnt was Horse
whipped. l was coming from the Racquet
Club. where go every morning, and had
reached the corner OF Forty RS. street when
felt something strike the back Of my head and
The side Of my face. Mr.. Chupin had come up
behind mo and struck me. Twas 80 stunned
did not comprehend the situation He had
brought along his brother. u great big fellow.
and another man to protect him. He got his
brother 70 come on from Boston; and he has
been writing to me for three weeks. They fol-
Owed him across the street"
suggested the reporter.
II believe said something Of that sort.
may have sa ID almost anything. ! was so eX-
,ited. / believe he said. Take that for circu,
ating lies abnut me-. or siomethinG to that
lie. Then he struck me again; and hit him
over the head with my umbrella as hard as