The New York herald., 1877-02-16
BULLETDOZING.
A Bogus Correspondent Thirst
ing for Blood.
Governor Packard Shot While in
the State House.
SLIGHTLY WOUNDED.
A Police Officer Shoots Down
the Assassin.
WELDON BADLY HURT.
What the Would-Be Murderer
Exclaimed.
II will Kill Packard First and
Hayes Afterward."
What the Would-Be Murderer
Exclaimed.
81 will Kill Packard First and
Hayes Afterward."
ARREST OF ALLEGED ACCOMPLICES.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. Is. 1871.

NEW ORLEANS Feb IL. 1877.
At twenty minutes to twelve this morning an
attempt was made to assassinate Governor Packard
at his private room in the State House. At that
hour, while nearly twenty persons were assembled
in the room, q well dressed, handsome young man
made an application to the doorkeeper for adms-
sion upon the plea OF being newspaper man.
Supposing he was what he represented himself to
be he was admitted. Governor Packard was at the
time seated at his desk near the door; the other
persons present were assembled around the fire.
place at the opposite side OF the room. Imme-
diatey upon entering the young man stepped up
to Mr.. Packard and, placing q pistol to his
Breast fred Governor Packard sprang from his
chair and at the moment seized the pistol direct
ing its fire downward, and received the ball in the
neshy part of the leg above the knee, severe but
not a dangerous wound. The other persons present
Immediately came to the rescue OF the Governor
Several pistols drawn and one was discharged,
shooting the young man through the arm and chest
to be dying.
WHAT THE ASSASSIN SAID.
After being shot he only said, "wel, I have shot
the scoundrei anyhow"
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
SO far he has not been identified, He still lies
upon the fioor OF the Governors room Several
letters Of recommendation were found upon his
person, which were immediately taken charge Of
by the police. One was addressed to "All whom 1t
may concern" and highly recommended "W w.
welden'' for employment. This is supposed to be
the young mans name. AS might be supposed the
affair has created great excitement.
NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT.
Ex-Governor Hahn, who was present, says the
young man Is correspondent OF republican paper
in Philadelphia. He noticed him previously in the
thinks him to have either been insane or laboring
under some unnatural excitement
"KILL PACKARD FIRST AND THEN HAYES
On visiting the State House, about q quarter to
two O'Clock, young Weldon was found laying on the
floor in the Governors room, with q pillow
under his head. attended by Dr. Smythe He ap-
peared very much detected and disinclined to
talk. In response to an inquiry made by
Of the Packard Supreme Court judges
as to who sent him there he replied, Nobody
He said he came from Philadelphia with an ambl-
tiOn to his country, his purpose being to kill
Packard first and Hayes afterward lie says,
further, that he has mother and sister living there.
With regard to his attempt to kill Packard he says
have assisted him in the undertaking, but that
upon reaching the door Of the State House they re-
fused to 90 in, and left him to carry out the in
tended plan OF assassination alone.
APPEARANCE OF THE ASSASSIN.
He was neatly dressed, OF q delicate frame, and
has pale, intellectual cast OF countenance bearing
a close resemblance to the portraits OF Edgar A.
Poe. small bottle OF whskey and abslnthe was
found in one OF his pockets. His appearance, how
ever, was not that of dsspated person. lie &C.
knowedged that he had lived for some time In
Mobile, but did not state when.
PACKARDs NARROW ESCAPE.
Governor Packard was found in his room, up
stairs, sitting on the side OF his bed, smoking a
cigar, as usual; He was quite cool and collected,
was very rctcent OF speech, but spoke OF his es
cape as very narrow one
wELDoN's LIFE SAVED.
All parties present on the occasion gave Packard
after falling from the pistol shot Of Chief Of Police
Loan, a dozen pistols were pointed at him. when
Packard planted himself across his body and pro
tcctcd him from further harm.
Is HE A LuSATIc?
So far every WHO has seen the young man
fails to recognize him lie introduced himself to
Governor Packard Mr.. Thomas Hutton CORE.
spondent OF the Philadelphia Press and an cx-
United States officer BY all persons he is regarded
as a visionary lunatic. Rumors in regard to a
promised disclosure were rife at the State House,
but from investigation your correspondent Is In.
cned TO believe that the facts OF the case are SUBJ
stantiaIly as above related.
ARREST or Az ACcOMpLrcE.
Another arrest has been made of a party said to
have accompanied the wouldbc assassin. and who
IL described as n ScIlian. lie, however, denies
everything save having been introduced to the
young man to-day.
NO FATAL ISSUE.
The latest information Is to the effect that young
Weldon is not so dangerously wounded as ut first
supposed. The wound through the arm is the only
serious one, and the physicians have no fears that
his life VIII be lost.
WELDON STRANGER
The letters OF recommendation found upon tile