Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-08-14
ATTORNEY GENERAL KNOX
IS BRUTALITY ASSAULTED
BY Theodore w. Cramp and
Charles T. Schoen, the Lat
ter Resenting the Off
calls Trust Views.
ROW TAKES PLACE IN THE CAFE
of One of Atlantic City's Most
Exclusive Hotels.


Philadelphia North American Special.
Atlantic City, N. j., Aug. 7.--Attor-
1 ney General Know was the victim of a
| most brutal and unwarranted assault
|, here late last night in the cafe of one
Of the most aristocratic hotels.
& The trusts, against which Mr.. Knox
has been pitted, were the cause of the
attack on the cabinet member.
The three men who set upon Mr..
Knox in the cafe were none other than
n Charles T. Schoen, the multi-million- 4
aire sof Philadelphia and Pittsburg;
Theodore Cramp, q member of the
great shipbnilding firm of Philadel-
phia, and Mr.. Stevenson, also we'll
known in Philadelphia.
M Attorney General Knox was knocked
out in the argument--not figuratively,
but literally. He was attacked by
three men, and superior numbers de-
aeated him. Theodore Cramp is the
man who delivered the blow that
landed squarely on the cabinet mem
ber's solar plexus. 1t was right
handler that sent the Attorney General
spinning backward. 1t would have
done credit to the mighty Jeifries or
the erstwhile marvel Fitzsimmons.
But to make clear the dramatic
features Of this impetuous argument it
is necessary to go back little. The
place of its occurrence was a certain
aristocratio hotel. The time IL. 30
clock last night. In the cafe annex
was table of eight covers, all of which
were occupied.
The central figure at this table was
a ttorney- General Knox. Seated with
him we're three other men and four
women. They were enjoying quiet
dinner after day Of amusement.
-. i H. f,r+.F .Vall
along with their repast when a carriage
drove up to the hotel. Three men
alighted, one with no little difficulty,
for 1t was quite apparent that he had
been drinking. Charles t. Schoen and
N Theodore Cramp were two members of
this party. The third was Mr.. Steven
son.
Mr.. Schoen was the only member OF
the party who appeared to have been
drinking over-well. His gait was none
too steady as he stepped out of the
carriage, so Mr.. Cramp and Mr.. Steven
son walked along with him, one at
cash side, as moral if not literal
support
The three men made their way into
the cafe annex and took seats ut a
small table under a mellow, incandes-
cent light. Their table was about lO
feet distant from that occupied by At
torney- General Knox and his friends.
A walter was speedily summoned and
ono member of the party ordered a
bottle,of wine.
Mr.. Sohoen, Mr.. Cramp and Mr..
Stevenson at once began rather lively
conversation, apparently oblivious Of
the fact that at nearby table were
several women. They took no pains tt
modulate their voices, nor were they
oyer-delicata in the choice of theii
words, A that time they appeared tt
"a he ignorant of the fact that member
of President Roosnvelt's cabinet anc
party Of his friends were seated a
an adjoining table. Perhaps tn,
identity of Mr., Knox was obscured il
the dull rays of the lights in the caf
annex. AT any rate their talk grew
more and more boisterous.
Presently the head waiter leaned owe
the table at which Mr.. Schoen, Mr.
Cramp and Mr.. Stevenson we're seated
He requested them to moderate thei
voices AMI refrain from using vulga
language. He said that the party a
the next table objected to their i'm
moderate conduct.
rhereupon the three men joined i
an apology, and for the first time the
took cognizance of the presence
Attorney General Knox and his party
But only few minutes had elapse
when Mr.. Schoen, Mr.. Cramp and Nj
Stevenson resumed their animated COZ
yersation. The quality of it Shove
no improvement.
Again came a quiet appeal from I'll
waiter that they should not ignore ii
presence of ladies in the cafe anne
Again an apology was sent to the part
at Attorney General Knox's table, an
for a few minutes the loud talk W;
suppressed. But soon it broke OF
afresh. 1t grew more and more sultr
and, according TO several witnesse
: Mr.. Sohoen began to make disparagiJ
references to Mr.. Knox. 1t was sa
that it was based on the Attorne
General g hostile attitude toward trust
Echoen didn't admire the Attorne
Generals steps in the direction
their dissolution, and said so. Be
known just here that trusts have play
no small part in making him null
millionaire.
A moment later rather small ma
in evening dress, leaned over the tai
where Mr.. Schoen and his friends we
seated. He requested that they refra
from further Objectionable remarl
II That man was Attorney General Knc
He appeared to be cool, but determine
Righteous Indignation was written
his face. After delivering his cri
request, he turned and went back
his friends.
just what was the reply he ,
from Mr.. Schoen, Mr.. Cramp a
Mr.. Stevenson cannot he quite certa
Witnesses say that such intemper
words as eur "loafer, 4" "nla,
guard" and other kindred appellate
were hurled after the Attorney-G
eral.
But of the events that quickly /
lowed there can be no doubt. for Il
had no less than half score of "
nesses. Mr.. Knox begged that
hostile three suppress their opini
fg until the women members of his pa
could retire from the scene. He
the other seven at once got up fl
their table and went out Of the {
annex. They had to pass close to
table where Mr.. Schoen and his frie
were seated The Insulting rema
flew thick and fast, the presence
ladies Offering no restraint to the til
men.
From that moment events mo
quickly. Once in the street Mr.. X
excused himself and returned alon
the cafe annex. He strobe over to
table occupied by Mr.. Schoen,
Cramp and Mr. Stevenson. In a
ment all was confusion. Blows '
launched wildly.
just who struck the first blow