River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-07-28
SHOT DOWN.
An Anarchist Attempts the Life OF
Manager Frick.
He shoots and stabs Him In His Private
ONCE at Pittsburgh His Wounds VIII
Not Prove FataI-The As
sassin Arrested.

limited, and the sole manager of the
i great Carnegie steel mills in Home
/ stead and elsewhere. He was shot twice
IN the neck. The murderous hand was
thrown up when the third shot was
fired. and the bullet imbedded itself in
he wall over Mr.. Tricks head. Berl-
man, the would-be assassin, then at
lacked him with a knife and stabbed
aim four times before he was over
powered He was just on the point of
being shot down for his deed when
Mr.. Prick. who retained conscious
ness Notwithstanding his fearful
wounds. interceded for him and
saved his life. Later the man tried to
destroy himself by chewing fulmin-
ate of mercury cap, such as Anarchist
Lingg used to kin himself in the prison
in Chicago while he was awaiting the
execution of the death sentence. He
was seized before he had succeeded in
biting into the cap and his plan of sui
eide was fruitless.
At l:40 Mr.. Frick was seated at his
desk engaged in conversation with Mr..
Leishman, vice chairman of the Car
1egie company, whose office is next
that of Mr.. Frick. Harry Heckley,
an office boy in the large outer
office and reception-room, noticed
man enter hastily and push open
The swinging gate in the railing which
separates the public portion of the
:oom from the inner part where some
IF the desks of the clerks and stenog-
.aphers are located There was no one
near the private Office door and the boy
hurried over 10 ask the intruder what
he wanted, but ne was too late,
rs Berkman had already pushed
aside the swinging door, which shut in
;he face of Heclxley As Berkman en-
cred the office he did not utter a word.
Mr. Frick looked up, as did Mr.. Leish-
nan, to see who had entered. Mr..
Frick had bundle of papers in his
hands, which he was examining
Berkman sprang within about 5 feet
IF Frick and presented and pulled the
trigger of his revolver. The cartridge
lid not explode, but in an instant an
,ther cartridge did, and this shot struck
Mr.. Prick in the back of the neck on
he right side and glancing downward
passed out of his side below
he armpit. Mr.. Prick made an
exclamation and jumped to the circular
window looking down on Fifth avenue,
which he tried to open. BeriEnan
passed quickly in front of Mr.. Frick' S
iesk and, approaching closely to Mr..
Trick, fred again. This ball entered
;he muscles of the left side of the neck
aud passed around and lodged under
he right ear, where it was afterward
reached by probe.
AT this instant Mr.. Leishman threw
himself on Berkman and wrestled with
aim for possession of the revolver.
Leishman grasped the barrel and
turned the muzzle upwards as the
cartridge exploded, the ball entering
he platering near the rear glass parti-
lion. With the agility of a desperate
nan Berkman drew dagger
and attempted to stab Leishman with
t, who was holding his assailant by
;he shoulder and body. Mr.. Prick saw
he CLEAN of the steel, and although
staggered by the shock of his
wounds and bleeding profusely,
he jumped between the men and
seized Berkmans arm. Berkman
freed himself from Leishman's
grasp and plunged the dagger into
Tricks right side, just above the hip,
making an ugly wound 8 inches long
He stabbed again, higher up, but the
point of the knife struck on a rib and
glanced down without infiicting
much of an injury. Twice again
was the knife thrust into Tricks side,
but those last only made slight wounds
This struggle took place near the front
window and in full view of those on
.he street and in the buildings across
he way.
BY this time two Office boys and Mr..
Jtley, who had been in the hallway,
and Deputy Sheriff May, who had en-
erred the office as the first shot was
fred, threw themselves upon Berkman,
who was still held by Frick and
Leishman. May had drawn his
revolver, and, holding it at the
pack of Berkman's head, was about to
,hoot, when Mr.. Frick cried out:
Don't kill him; we nave got him all
tight; leave him to the law" At this
Berkman broke away and tried to es-
cape down the stairway, but was i'm
mediately secured The prompt action
Of Mr.. Frick and his marvellous self
command without doubt saved the life
Of Mr.. Leishman and the self-appointed
.xecutioner.
In five minutes after the shooting
half dozen surgeons, including Drs.
Litchfield, McClelland, Murphy and
Joseph and John Dickson, were at
aand. Mr.. Frick was told to lie down
On lounge, and, after his clothing had
been removed, the wounds were washed
and the bleeding stopped,
During all this time the wounded
nan was calm, had a perfect command
IF his faculties, and apparently was less
excited than any other person in the
room. From time to time he made sug-
gestions as to how badly he was hurt,
and half hour after the shooting die
lated message to Andrew Carnegie
about the assault in which he told him
that he thought he would be all right.
At his request all communication
with his residence was shut off and his
brother-in-law was sent to inform his
wife of his injury and reassure her.
She had son ten days ago and is still
confined to her room. She was greatly
distressed, but bore herself bravely
when told that there was no apparent
danger. She sent her sister, Miss
Childs, to the office, with instructions
to return at once and inform her of Mr..
Tricks actual condition.
In the meantime Mr. FricIy was re-
moved to the back Office, where the
physicians made a careful examination.
Tue bullet was removed. The news
Of the shooting created intense
excitement and kilograms poured
in from various parts of the
United States. At no time did
he believe he was fatally in
jured and after the removal of the bull
let sent for his stenographers, dictated
letter and asked his chiefs about the
condition of affairs &c Homestead and
Duquesne. Guards were placed at the
door and admittance refused to all but
officials of the company and immediate
relatives and friends.
Mr.. Frick refused all medicine until
5 o'clock, when he was given sedative
and was soon sleeping soundly. Nc
one was permitted to see him for an
hour before his removal t. his home,
which took place shortly after Z o'clock.
His physicians announced on his arri'
val at home in the east end that he had
stood the trip well and showed no bad
effects from II.
/ AR Erick rested easily all through