Articles on management and altercation at Niblo’s Garden

“A personal encounter between Mr. Geo. H. Butler, dramatic critic of Wilkes’ Spirit of the Times, and Mr. Alexander Henderson, manager of the burlesque troupe now performing at Niblo’s, occurred on Saturday evening at the theatre with which Mr. Henderson is identified. In compliance with Mr. Henderson’s request we publish the following version of the affair, furnished by himself:” Goes on to describe a “brutal” assault by Butler on Henderson, reading in part: “…Butler immediately commenced using most filthy language toward me, and at the same time struck me a heavy blow upon my forehead. I was knocked against the back of the seats, and while attempting to recover myself, my assailant continued to use the same abusive and insulting language, and informed me that he was the writer of the article in the Wilkes’ Spirit of the Times, and that he had money enough to defend any action for libel, &c., &c…” Also describes proprietor Palmer’s attempts to interject.

“The Critic and the Manager.—For several weeks there have been wars and rumors of wars among the frequenters of the lobby of Niblo’s Garden, growing out of the remarks made at a supper a few evenings ago by Mr. Alex Henderson, manager of the Lydia Thompson troupe, derogatory to the feelings of members of the press of this city, and, more particularly, to one gentleman of the press who Mr. Henderson denounced as a liar. The particulars regarding this supper appeard in the Clipper of May 220 [sic]. This was reported to the aforesaid gentleman of the press, who was at the same time too sick to resent the insult, but a brother critic came to his rescue, and published a scathing article, giving Mr. H. particular Jessie on all sides. This made things much wrmer than before, and Mr. Henderson threatened a libel suit. Securing the services of a lawyer, a retraction of the article was demanded from the editor and proprietor of the paper in which the article appeared, also the name of the author. Of course both were denied, and in reply the editor stated editorially that he alone was responsible for what appeared, was well aware of the tenor of the article before it was published, and notonly sanctioned it by permitting it to be published, but considered that the critic used very mild language to Mr. H., in comparison to the manner in which he (Henderson) had spoken of the critic of that paper. If the state of affairs reached boiling heat, what must they have been when such a shot was sent forth. But the crisis was reached on Saturday evening, May 29th, when George Butler, the author of the ‘gun shot wound’ (who as dramatic critic is connected with two of our city papers) gave Mr. Henderson such a pummeling that he is now laid up. The following are the particulars of the affray:—At the close of the performance of the burlesque of ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ at Niblo’s Garden, and when nearly all the audience had left the auditorium, Mr. Henderson, who was in front, started to go behind the scenes. He had proceeded along the lobby behind the parquet circle seats, and was just about stepping into the doorway in the rear of the private box, on the Crosby street side, when he was accosted by Mr. Butler, who said, ‘Mr. Henderson I wish to see you. Will you step this way?’ Henderson stepped aside, when Butler replied, ‘I have something to say to you in presence of witnesses.’ Mr. Butler then tapped Mr. H. over the forehead with such force that he brought up all standing against the back of the seats. Parties who were present, Harry Palmer among the rest, stepped between them, but soon got out of the way of the man of muscle. After Mr. H. had received a little more pounding, the assailant withdrew with his friends, while Mr. Henderson, who had been pretty severely handled, was taken to his hotel. The affair had created no little excitement in theatrical circles, and this is not the end of it. There are some people who think Mr. Henderson has been badly used, while others who know the reasons that started this broll, say, ‘Served him right.’”

“An Elephant.—Mr. Henderson, copartner with Lydia Thompson in the ‘Burlesque Troupe,’ and the importer of the Lauri Family, experiences some difficulty in his efforts to obtain an opening for the latter party since their failure at Wallack’s Theatre. He tried to alternate performances with the G.L. Fox troupe, but Manager Duff, of the Olympic, couldn’t see it. He then tried to induce Charley White to speculate with them at the Theatre Comique, but Charles declined.”

Application for an order of arrest against George Butler for assault and battery on Mr. Henderson last May 27 at Niblo's Garden. Delay in application because of Mr. Henderson's absence with his troupe. Injury resulting in permanent paralysis of one side of the defendent's face.Butler taken into custody.