Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-04

TRTED 10 SHOOF GLADSTONE.

The "Pall Mail LaIette," with Glarlng
Headlines, .SunoIucGs an Attempt to
Assassinate MIR. Gladstonc--The Story
Not Generally Relieved, Hut Has some
Foundation.
LoNpoN. April 27.-Thc ran Nal Gasstte
to-day contains a most sensational article
headed, "Rumors Of IN Attempt to Shoot
Gladstone the type in the headlines
being the largest in use for that purpose
The paper states that the alleged attempt
upon the Prime Minister'S life was made
while Mr.. Gladstone was walking through
II. James Park at midnight last night on
his way to his home in Downing street
The accuracy Of the report Of tile PdH
NaN Gd.sre is doubtful. It is probable thar
the story is based upon the fact that man
who is nov in custody on the charge of
firing a revolver in as;publC thuroughfarc
had IN one of his pockets a note book con
tanning number Of entries detailing The
recent movements of MIR, Gladstone. The
prisoner Will be ARA gnel shortly and his
object in making these entries will be
learned ii possible.
the article in the PaH .HuY Gd=titg caused
much excitement among the friends and
supporters of Mr. Gladstone. and many
inquiries IRON various parts of the country
have been made as to the truthfulncss Of
the story.
LoNpoN, April 27.lt has been learned
that Mr.. Gladstone, VINO attended dinner
party last night, was walking to his home
| about the time the man who fired the shot
was arrested. lie saw nothing Of the DE-
cnrrencc, and no one now believes that
any attempt was made to shoot him.
When the shooter WAS arraigned in the
Bow street police court, this morning, the
policeman who arrested him stated that
the man had discharged the revolver in
| the Horse Guards parade near Downing
street. He evidently intended to shoot the
| officer.
An examination OF the notebook found
on ihe man revealed the fact that it con
| tanned mass Of rawlings against Irish
Home Rule which assumed that the
murder Of Mr.. Gladstone would be justii-
able. Upon this slender foundation the
report of the attempted murder of Mr..
! Gladstone was sent out.
LONDON, April 2s-The Pal Nal
Gd=ette states that on the day that the
Irish Home Rule bill was passed to d
second reading, William Townsend, the
man under arrest on the charge Of hay-
ing discharged revolver unlawfully in
public place, but really on suspicion
| of having intended to assassinate Mr..
| Gladstone, lay in wait for Mr. Gladstone
| at his residence.
Townsend was armed with a loaded
revolver and was deliberately prepared
To shoot Mr. Gladstone as soon as he
came within reach. When Mr.. Glad
stone came out of his residence, and the
would-be assassin saw him, his purpose
weakened for the peculiar reason that
the appearance Of the premier reminded
| Townsend of his own fathers appear.
ance on his deathbcl. The pistol slipped
from the fingers Of the intended assassin
and he rushed into the park and sank
on bench, and bust into tears.
II Is asserted that Townsend made lis
way into the county hall of the House
Of Commons on the same night, and
vigorously denounced the Home Rule
/ bill.
LONDON, April 20.-Tho physicians
VINO have All examination of the mental
condition Of William Townsend, Ihc
man supposed Of having had designs
upon the life Of Prime Minister Glad.
stone, certify that Townsend is a
!nnatic, and he will probably be re-
moved in Il short time to All asylum for
the insane.
The police, however, attach impor.
tance to the arrest and expect u lis
cover that some one was behind Towns.
end urging him TO the assassination.