New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-25
CHASTTSED IN FIFTH AVE.
+. II. CHAPLIN USES A WHIP ON G. A. POTTER
THE LATTER HAD MADE GRAVE ACCUSATION;
AGAINST THE FoRMER-HE STILL SAYS
HIS CHARGES ARE TRUE.

AGAINST THE FORMER-HE STILL SAYS
HIS CHARGES ARE TRUE.
Passers.by on the reservoir block, In Fiith-avc.
between Foreth and Fortysecond SITS. we're attracted
Yesterday morning by the sight OF two young men,
dressed IN the most fashionable clothing and bearing
every evidence OF membership In the 400" VINO were
facing each other In attitudes that left no doubt that
their meeting was an unfriendly one. They were
Llndley Hoffman Chaplin. OF the Calumet Cluo. ana
Clarlson A. Potter, OF the Knckerbocker Club. Mr.
Chaplin asked several questions in an angry tone and
receiving reply suddenly drew rawhide from be-
meath his coat and dashed Mr. Potter across the face
bruising his lips and drawing blood Mr.. Potter was
staggered but recovering himself, retaated by striking
his assailant with an umbrella the side OF the head
The blow did no damage ard Mr. Chaplin then inniceo
one or two more blows upon Mr. Poter's face.
Shave you had enough1' asked Mr.. Chaplin. and
on receiving affirmative reply. he turned on MS
heel and walked down the avenue.
This ARRAY was the outcome OF certain accusations
made by Mr. Potter In the Knckerbocker Club about
two weeks ago. when that gentleman asserted that Mr.
Chaplin had behaved to him In such manner a. 10
make 1t necessary for him TO strike Mr. Chaplin and
leave the carriage In which they were driving. Inc
ceares obtalnablc account OF the trouble that led up
to yesterdays affair IS rs follows:
| The two men met rainy afternoon two weeks
ago at luncheon given by Mrs. Eugene Kelly, and
Potter to ride uptown with him in his carriage The
invitation was accepted. and the coachman was Or
dered to drive TO DelmonIco's where Mr. Potter wished
to stop. This about halfpast o'clock, ana at
O'Clock Mr. Potter entered the Knickcrbocker Ciuo'
and in the presence Of several OF the members maze
the assertion that In the carriage Mr.. Chapm hao
acted in a manner which left no doubt rs to his
mean,ng An intimate friend Of Mr.. Chapin's VINO
was in the promptly stigmatized the story as
untrue and at once Informed Mr.. Chapln OK INC
character Of the accusations which had been made
Unable to believe the report. Mr.. Chaplin waited
for two weeks. during which time rumors reacheu MN
that Mr. Potter had on different occasions ie
lterated his accusation. Mr.. Chapih inc" u'''DS'
N nun stop at once TO the circulation OF these III
famous stories aud he efectually did 50 yestefuas
morning. IT,. 4.
II &c said that Mr. Potter had made preparations 10
lave TOWN as his loose assertions had done anything
hut Gain friends for him add 70 his repuaoh ue Il
gentleman. In fact, Mr. Chapin had been uhao'e "
find him for several days, and had 10 ehlp'o' "
nrvate detective who "spotted" Mr. Potter anu ''ct
watching his movements for several days lhlot'hes
lbs employer where and when Mr. Potter co'iu 0'
found. 49, -.
The affair has been kept as quiet as possible but
,bc prominence Of both men In the social world rem
aered further concealment impossible. Mr. Chapm
action IS universally commended I'm all the fashonaDe
clubs and IL is probable that the governors oil inc
Knicherbocker Club will take the matter up NJ t"er
next meeting and thoroughly slit II.
A Tribune reporter Mr.. Chaplin Mt his hohie' W.
! West Thirty seventhst. last evening. lie acKho"i
edged that he had chastlsed Mr. Potter but refused 10
sneak further on the subject IL regret ne sald
that any publicity will be given to this affair." ana you
must excuse me from entering into any details
Mr. Potter was found at tho Metropolitan opera
House. where he attending the opera in company
with Lawrence Turnure aud party Of friends lie
came down into the lobby and gave his version VI 's
affair Il was walking in Fifthave THIS morning anu
when on the block between FOrtieth and Fory-secohu
sts I heard steps behind ME, and was about to turn
around when 7 received a blow on the back OF the
neck which staggered me. Recovering myself,
wheeled around and saw Mr.. Chaplin who mad IN ms
hand n whip. lie struck me again, and rusheu az
him. We had brief struggle and were separNeu o'
Mr. Chapin's brother and friend who were Win nm
They came from the opposite side Of the street Inc
fight II IL can be called, lasted only ie"
minutes but was so bewildered that my recollection
~ what took place is very dim. l did make the re
marks which caused the trouble. and have no idea OF
ctractng them. gentleman never ntfHc's 'n''
which he has asserted 70 be true
Mr. Potter IS a Young and slightly built man. lie
* the son Of the late Carkson " Potter and nephew OF
~. hon Potter He IS twenty-five years Old and lives
nj No. 1874 Lexlngton-ave.. with his mother and two
sister, lie is a member Of tho Country and kncher-
booker clubs. having Joined the hitter organization
about TWO NlOutii> hSO.
MIR Chaplin is about thirty five years oil. and, whlle
a member OF the Calumet. Racquet and Fences' cluGs,
j. Lv no means clubman in the usual meaning 81 ine
Term prferring his home TO any cnJoyment' "hith NJ
clubs can give him lie IS devoGt Roman o1th9 itc
having become a convert 10 that NlHon early In me-
and he j. a warm friend OF Archbishop Cor ian ana al
Tho nrlnrlpo1 prcate- OF tho Romnu Catholic church.
lilo mas 4 chnnel Of his nj bis country place al
New London. and + we'll known for his work among
he mar ~ his parish His habits have always been
most exemplary and he enjoys the esteem ard affection
~ "a large number 81 friends lie HIS boon married
tNice his first wife being Miss Gilbert. by whom he
had one child a daughter Marguerite His second
wife was Miss COrnclia Garrison Van Auken,
laughter Of Barrett Ilarcns Van Alkon. OF ihi,
div who died some months ago. and by her he has
had two children, boy Lndley Hoffman chaplin.
ir who T. now three years 0ld and girl. Catherine
Harrison Chaplin, sixteen months old.