The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-21
ATTACK ON GOV. CLEVELAND.
A Refusal to Grant a Pardon Results
in an Assault on the Street.
The Assailant Seized by Bystanders and In
jury to the Governor Prevented Reasons
for the Attempted ChaStisement.


itol Some reports had it that he had been
assassinated, and others that he had been fatally
wounded The reports spread with marvellous ra-
pidity, and soon hundreds thronged tothe Capitol
and sought out the Governors room to inquire as
to the foundation for the rumors and the condition
of the Governor. AS is usually the case, there
slight foundation for the rumor upon
which the superstructure of fiction had been
built in passing from mouth to mouth
Stripped of all embellishments the facts are sub
stantaly as follows:
As Governor Cleveland was going from the
executive mansion to the Capitol, about O'Clock
this morning, he was assaulted in front of the
Medical College on Eagle street, by Samuel
Boone, of Elmra, who struck at the Governor
with his right hand. The blow was warded Off
and the man repeated his blows several times
without hitting the Governors face. He then
darted toward pile of cobble stones, but was
Intercepted by DIR. GeorgeH. Houghton before
he obtained azmissile.s Boone returned to the
attack on the Governor, when Houghton seized
and held him, and the Governor deliberately re-
sumed his walk. Boone was released and went
quickly to his boarding house on Lancaster
street, whore he was arrested shortly afterward,
Dr. Houghton overlook the Governor and CON
versed briefly with him about the assault. The
Governor proceeded to tho Capitol and
went to work, abiding only casually
to the matter to the attaches of
his Office. In the Police Court Boone pleaded
not guilty, and asked two days to prepare his
case, as he wanted to telegraph Judge Boardman
Smith, of the Supreme Court to come and de-
ha arrrog 1,V-, e.,
day afternoon
Boone has been seeking pardon for his
brother in-law, Byron B. Fairbanks, who was
sentenced to two years at Auburn for shooting
into a crowd assembled near his house, on Hal
EN-, and seriously woundng boy. Boone
and his wife called on the Governor, at Elmira,
during his recent visit to the State fair, and
asked for the pardon of Fairbanks The Gov
ernor said he-would look it over when he re-
turned to Albany. he mentioned the matter to
District Attorney Stanchfeld, who expressed
himself as strongly opposed to granting the APP
pllcation; as lie did not think there were any
grounds for clemeney.
About week or ten days after Cleveland's
return here. Boone appeared. The Governor
said he had not reached the case yet. Boone
made some threatening remarks aud retired.
Boone followed the Governor back and forth to
the executive mansion that day, and declared
he would not leave until he got the pardon.
Finally, he disappeared.
Last Monday Boone appeared with his wife.
Mrs Boone went into the executive chamber
while her husband remained in the ante-room.
She became excited and violent in her language,
and, the Governors attendants say suddenly
struck at Governor Cleveland, who seized her
arm before the blow came, and requested the
woman to be seated and be calm He rose and
she sat down, and then, screaming, fell to the
floor IN violent Mysteries Two orderlies then
removed her across the street to n house, where
she was treated She has been hysterical most
of the time since. Boone states that when he
heard his wifes' scream he rushed into the exec
utive chamber and found the Governor lust let
ting go of her. He was put aside by the order
lies, who removed the woman. He claims that
the treatment of his wife was so severe that she
is in a dying condition, and, overcome by his
feelings, he attacked the Governor.
A reporter of the Albany Journal who called
at the house where Mrs. Boone is saw her, and
the bruises on her where, it is alleged, the Gov
ernor seized her, were shown him. The attend
ants said she was in a comatose condition. and
apparently dying
Another account states that Boone unsuccess-
fully solicited for his brotherin-la w-who is con-
fined in Auburn prison for shooting in
Chemung eountyi one year ago. Boone metthe
Governor, as hewas walking along Eagle street,
from the executive mansions to the Capitol, about
8 o'clock this morning, and struck at him, at the
same time uttering oath. Governor Cleve-
land threw up his arm. and warded off the blow.
Several persons near by. who saw the affair, ran
after the man, and captured him. Governor
Cleveland at once proceeded to the executive
chamber. Boonecame here about two weeks ago.
TO press his application and the Governor then said
he would take up the papers at his earliest con
venience and would decide it as soon as possible.
His impression was that the prosecuting attors
ney of the county was unfavorable to the par
don, and if hewas SO, he could not grant it unless
the prosecutor saw fit, on further reflection, to
modify his statements, as no pardonS were
granted in opposition to the local authorities.
Boone. at this, demanded an immediate answer,
yes or no, and said to Governor Cleveland that
if the district attorney had reported against
the pardon no would slap his
back and slap the Governors face.
In few days Boone telegraphed the Governor
that the district attorney had saved himself
face-slapping by acknowledging that Cleveland's
statement was not true. Last week, one morning,
Boone and his wife appeared at the executive
chamber and the Governor granted them an
audience. The woman was in a state OF great
nervous excitement, and attempted to strike the
Governor He caught her by the wrist and
said to her. My dear woman, you are beside
yourself; sit down andlet us talk this matter
over reasonably At that she threw herself on
the floor and screamed and shouted until she
was removed from the building, Boone and his
wife have remained here ever since, and Boone
has followed the Governor beck and forth from
his house to the Capitol. He has uttered all
manner of thraats to shoot Governor Cleveland,
ETC., and was regarded as crank" His wife
has had several fits of hysteria. and the attend
ing physician urged Boone to take her home,
but he has refused. Boone is in Jail, and will
be examined as to his sanity on Wednesday.
This evening tho excitement over the assault
on Gov. Cleveland had largely abated. The con
dition of Mrs. Boone, who has been suffering
from hysteria since her interview with the Gov
ernor, week ago, to-day, is not dangerous The
statement thatshe was injured by the Governor
during the interview is entirely untrue.
When he told her he could not
pardon her brother without investigation. and
that the case must take its turn, she flew at him
and attempted to scratch his Ease. He seized
her by the wrists and said, "Why, you poor
foolish woman, why don't you behave YOURSELF"
Mrs. Boone was thens led into an ante
receiving some bruises inflicted upon herself
during her struggle Fairbanks, for whom Mrs
Boone sought pardon, appears also to be a
''crank." The Governor to-day received a dis
no tchf from fha XUardan of the Al1burn n1iSOn