Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-04-28
.GLADSTONE'S DANGER
A Crank Said to Have Fired a Mur-
derouS Shot at Him.
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN LONDON.
The Police Capture the Fellow
and Look Him Up Before He
Harms Any One-In His Pocket
Was a Memorandum Book
Full of Threats.

Full OF InredCS.
LONDON, April 27.-The Pail Mall
Gazette to-day contains 8 most sensa-
tional article headed: "Rumors Of an
attempt to shoot Gladstone" the type
used 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 st.
James Park at midnight last night on
his way 10 his home In Downing street.
The accuracy OF the report OF the Pdb
Mall Gdzette is doubted. 1t is probable
that the story is based upon the fact
that man who is now 10 custody on
the charge of firing revolver In pub
lie thoroughfare, had In one OF his
pockets a notebook containing num-
Der of entries detailing the recent move :.
n,ents OF Mr.. Gladstone. The prisoner
will be arraigned shortly, and his other
object in making these entries will be
learned IL possible. The article In the
Pal Mall Gazette caused much excite
ment among the friends and supporters
OF Mr.. Gladstone, and many inquiries
from various parts OF the country have
been made as TO the truthfulness OF the
story.
1t has been learned that Mr.. Glad
stone, who attended dinner party last
night, was walking to his home about
the time the man who fired the revolver
was arrested. He saw nothing OF the
occurrence and no one now believes THAI
any attempt was made 10 shoot him.
When the shooter was arraigned In
the Bow street Police Court this morn
ing, the policeman who arrested him
stated that the man had discharged the
revolver In the horse guards parade
near Downing street. He evidently In
tended To shoot the officer.
An examination OF the note book re-
vealed the fact that IL contained mass
OF rawlings against Irish home rule,
which was suggestion that murder
would be justifiable. :, On this founda-
tion the report OF the attempted mar-
der OF Mr. Gladstone was constructed.
Notwithstanding the statements that
have been rade TO the public that Mr..
Gladstone was in no danger OF being
shot and that no importance Is 10 be at
tached 10 the affair, there Is a growing
suspicion that Mr.. Gladstone was nearer
danger than bis friends are willing TO
admit. The man under arrests named
VIM. Townsend. He Ifs 3s years old asd-
is resident OF Sheffield. The officer
who arrested him saw him mount the
steps of Mr.. Gladstone's residence
shortly after Mr.. Gladstone had en-
tered. When the policeman ordered
him TO descend he fred at the ofiicor
and subsequently struggled desperately
against being arrested. Tounsend as
serts that the discharge Of the revolver
was accidental. Some OF the entries In
the note book read "The Irish home
rule bill has passed It's second reading
by a full majority including Lieut.. San
ders. The talking does not convert.
Now Is the time for action. / might
wilfully murder you. Would nothing
OF the kind be justified? Now 10 prove
II. What says Sir Henry James? See
Gladstone's speech OF last night. What
says Saunderson? At this pit Sir John
Bridge, presiding magistrate refused to
read any further. He instructed tho
iaicr to guard the prison with the ut
most care.
VIM. Townsend. the man under arrest
who is suspected OF having had designs
upon the life OF Mr.. Gladstone, went
away from sheffield on Saturday last
without informing his wife or anybody
OF his purpose TO 90 away. His wife
says he is subject to fits and is often sb-
sent from home for days az time with
out his whereabouts being known. He
has been subject 10 spells OF deep de-
preston but has never shown any symp-
toms OF homlcldal mania.
An unusual large number OF people
attracted By the report that Mr..
Gladsone's life had been Ia danger
waited for the arrival OF the premier at
the House OF Parliament. When
Gladstone appeared he received =
cordial ovation.
In the House OF Commons to-day
several questions were asked la re-
gard TO the report OF an attempt on Mr..
Gladstone's life. Home Secretary As
quith replied that the incident OF the
arrest and prosecution OF q man for
unlawfully dlscharging revolver ia .
public thoroughfare was pow under
judicial Investigation and 10 the mean
time he could say nothing about II.
Home Secretary Asquith was also
questioned ia regard to the special IA
yors extended 10 the Dowager Duchess,
OF Sutherland, now undergoing impris-
onment 10 Holloway jail, for contempt
Of court 10 having wiIfuIly destroyed =
document which she had been permit
ted by the order Of the Court OF Probate
to examine. 10 reply TO several ques-
tfona ~, the snhfnot uomo Sorratarw
Asquith declared that the Prisons sct
provided that frst-class misdemesnants