Lydia Thompson and Her Critics.

Cromwell Argus, Issue I, 8 June 1870, Page 5

Lydia Thompson and Her Critics.

Mr Wilbur F.. Storey, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Times (says the Chicago Tribune of the 25th February), was waylaid and assaulted yesterday evening by Miss Lydia Thompson and Miss Pauline Markham, members of the Blonde Burlesque Troupe, now performing in the Opera-house of this city. It seems that during the afternoon they hired a hack, and rode up and down Wabash-avenue, opposite to Mr Storey's residence, waiting and watching for that gentleman to come out. In the carriage with the ladies were Mr Henderson, agent of the troupe, and a young man named Gordon, commonly known as Archy Gordon, a sort of newspaper guerilla, who, for some time, has been hanging on the verge of journalism in this city. Mr Henderson states that he accompanied the ladies for the purpose of protecting them, and that Mr Gordon went to point out Mr Storey, who was not known by the other members of the party. f hey rode up and down the avenue for some time, until about half past five o'clock, when Mr Storey and his wife were seen by Gordon walking down the avenue. Ho pointed out Mr Storey to his companions. The party got out of the carriage, and walked towards Mr and Mrs Storey. On confronting Mr Storey, Henderson asked him if ho was that gentleman. He said he was, and Henderson, according to his own statement, turned to Miss (Thompson

scarcely out of his mouth boforo Miss Thompson drew a raw-hido from under her jacket, and struck Mr Storey in the face, the Markham woman following it up by a blow from a similar weapon- Tho blows were laid on thick and fast, to tho number of twenty (according to Miss Thompson). Mr Story defended himself with a walkingcane. When struck by Miss Thompson, he raised his hand and cane to defend himself, and very naturally levelled a blow at his assailants. Mr Henderson stopped forward to defend his charges, and got a blow on the left temple. In less than an hour after, the spot was marked by a large swelling resembling an exaggerated wart. The women continued thoir work, one on each side of Mr Storey, laying on tho blows as fast as they could. He used his cane, and Miss Thompson was cut across the knuckles of one of her fingers. Miss Markham stated that Mr Storey grabbed at her, tearing her collar, and demoralising her headgear. Miss Thompson once retreated in the direction of the hack, but, seeing a chance to got in a few more blows, she returned to the attack and used tins raw-hide again. The entire performance did not occupy more than a few minutes. It was put an end to by some bystanders who interfered, apparently in the interests of the women, for they caught Mr Storey, and prevented him from retaliating any further. Tho assailants then beat a retreat to the hack, in which they wore arrested by Officer Leuttich, who came up at the close of tho performance. The party wore driven to the Armoury, with the exception of Gordon, who stood by and looked on while his friends were being thrashed by Mr Storey. Mr John Lyle King went on the bail bond, the amount for the throe prisoners being only 300 dollars, as the charge made by the policeman was disorderly conduct. Later in the evening, Mr Storey made a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, with intent to do bodily harm.