The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-09-11
BENNETT-MAY DUEL
FOLLOWS AN INSULT
Marydel's Latest Sensation Re-
vives Story Of Famous
Fight for Life.

Mafvdel, Special: 1t was back in the
lOs that big Fred May picked up James
Gordon Bennett, then and now proprie-
tor of the New York Herald, and plant
ed him in a snow bank, head first,
and left the eminent gentleman in that
position, with his heels only showing |
to the belated pedestrian. Such con-
duct, while ungentlemanly, and what
would be termed rough house IN these
later days, led to serious consequences.
When Mr.. Gordon's position had been
reversed and he was once more stood
on his f. ct instead of the undignitfed
demanded blood. Everybody knows
that Bennett was brought up in France,
and that duels take place there between
the courses of a dinner. Instead of
seeking Mr.. May, and according to the
true American idea punching his head
right we'll, Mr.. Bennett demanded salts
faction on the field of honor. Pistols
or swords, and nothing else, would
suit the editor. His dignity had been
wounded, his pride injured, and his
1t was that James Gordon Bennett was
about the maddest man in New York
city. In the Union club one crowd
%snickered and laughed at Benefits pre-
dtcament. and there We're regrets that
some one did not get a snap shot of
the affair SO as to use 1t in the future.
Both Men of Fighting Stock.
Fred May had to Taught at what he
had done. The sight was so ridiculous,
ing on his head on g snow pile. But
May did not smile so broadly when he
received a challenge to fight to the
death to atone for his misdeed.
There is no cowardice in Benefits
blood. He comes of fighting stock.
Fred May enjoyed a fight almost as we'll
as good dinners. So 1T was a We'll
matched pair that sought to settle their
differences.
And all this is how Marydel bounced
before the public in a vision one morn
ing in the '7Os.
Where is Marydel?" asked one man
at the Union club.
oh. it's down Delaware somewhere
Bet you ten it isn't" was the answer.
III double YOU" came from the first
Why it's in Maryland" put in No. 3,
wishing to get into the argument.
Twenty spo it isn't" came from
another man.
Get the map"
A Town in Two States.
The map was produced, and the site
of the town was half in Delaware and
half in Maryland. The search was
continued and the final conclusion was
that all bets We're off. Marydel, so re-
gently in the public eye on account OF
the Williams tragedy, be it murder or
suicide, lies in two states. It is unique
In more ways than one. The dividing
line w the two states extends
along the main street. Marydel is III
Kent county, Delaware, and Caroline
county, Maryland. 1t is southwest from
Dover and some rs miles from Will
mington. Its name tells the story:
Mary" for Maryland and Del for
Delaware. And it is a pleasing name
town of "Delmar." 1t is also in two
states. Here the names are reversed,
0nd Delaware has the lead. But to re-
turn to the scene made famous by the
ton at Marydel is in Maryland. and the
chief hotel, the Hotel Price, is in Del
aware. Here the negroes must get out
of the first class passenger coaches and
crowd into the Jim Grow" car, ever
though there are 60 negroes and only
one white person. No negroes can
ride in the car with whites in Mary
land. and the white person would be
hustled out of the Jim Grow car by
the conductor just as quickly. The race
line is drawn closely. One of the pc
culiar features of the town is tina u
man sleeps in Maryland and his barn
is in Delaware. He has lots of fun
keeping two tax collectors at bay and
seeing that they both do not over
charge him.
Well. 1t was to this funny little town
Mat James Gordon Bennett and Fred
May Travelled thirsting for gore. on
the outskirts OF the town history says
that they fought a duel.
Bennet lnsuIted Mays Sister.
To return to the scene at the Union
club in New York city, the swell or
ganization of Gotham. James Gordon
Bennett had visited the Mays on New
Years evening on the usual New York
call. His conduct on that occasion
buke from the Mays, a complaint from
the daughter, whom Mr.. Bennett, it
was said, thought a great deal of, and
a threat from Fred to punish Bennett
for insulting his sister. This sister
afterward married Mr.. Nelson and
her daughter married one Of the Whit
neys. She is a fine woman. highly re-
spected and a leader of New York So
ciety today. The men met outside the
Union club door and Fred May struck
Bennett on the bridge Of the nose. The
latter ~retaliated, but it was like a boy
fighting a giant. for Fred May stood
six feet in height and was developed
prop~ortionately. The row was Of short
DURATION, and ended by May picking
up Bennett and tossing him head first
into q snowbank.
Duel Only Recourse.
Such an insult called for immediate
reparation. Bennett challenged May
to a duel. and the principals and their
city went to Philadelphia. Bennett and
his friends proceeded to the Philadel-
phia club, where they consulted some
of the men about town as to III best
place to fight a duel In this section.
After consideration it was decided to
try Marydel because it laid in two
states, and while the state authorities
would be %squabbling over whose duty
1t would be to arrest the duelists, they
could easily get out of the country.
Fred May and his friends stopped at
the ST. George hotel. Broad and Wal
nut, where the Bellevue-Stratford now
stands. Philadelphians took sides in
the affair, because there was bound to
be some sport, and there is always Il
contingent around the Philadelphia
club ready to witness a duel or a first
class prize fight or an event of true
craftsmanship, even ii a poor fellow
does get killed.
Pistols. 10 PAGES, and Marydel," vas
the decision of he c%ontending parties.
The party, which had been augmented
by some sporting men of wealth from
Philadelphia, started for Wilmington in
a night train. AT the latter city they
secured carriages and started to drive
over the country. 1t was a long and