Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-05

Chicago, Sept 21.-Five shots fired
IN quick succession echoed throughout
the hall of the board of trade shortly
after noon today, while the floor of
the exchange was crowded with oper-
ators. A panic ensued, the operators
rushing pell mel from the floor and
tumbllng over each other in their haste
to reach the outer hall.
Inc shots We're fired by 4 middle
aged man who had been observing the
proceedings from a front seat in the
extreme southern corner of the gallery.
What Immediately preceded the tragedy
is not known, for those who had been
sitting near him fed for their ives.
When the first shot was heard the
operators, who looked in the direction
whence 1t came, saw the individual in
question fourishing his pistol and en-
deayored to pull the trigger of the
weapon, which appeared momentarily
to have caught on his finger.
He was still fourishing the pistol
alAleSs-y When il discharged four times
in rapid succession. Three of the five
shots took effect. The injured are:
1mu Bennett, Il prominent operator
and president of the Board of Trade
Insurance company, bullet in the neck,
believed to be seriously wounded.
Mrs. w. w. Lewis, of Titusville,
Pa, worlds fair visitor to Chicago,
who was sitting in the gallery, flesh
wound.
@. w. Roswell, assistant chief oper-
ator of the Western Union Telegraph
company on change, fractured jaw by
bullet.
Before the lunatic could empty the
remaining chambers of his revolver he
was caught from behind by Tom Bar
rett, the floor officer of the board and
a noted athlete, who threw him to
the floor and pinioned his hands.
He was then taken down to the pri-
vate room of the executive committee
of the board, shouting at the top of
his voice, Il warned them before and
they would not heed me. 1 gave them
plenty of fair warning"
The man who did the shooting is
Chas. Belden. He was taken to the
Harrison-street police station, where
he made the following statement:
II am a carriage painter and live at
365 La Sale avenue. I've been under
hypnotic influence for three years, but
it is only lately that / have reached
the exalted state. l was in the vulgar
state for a lOng time. I have visited
the board Of trade quite frequently. 1t
has been a struggle for bread with all
of IS, but when they began to sell my
soul in the board of trade today L
resisted.
Before they sold my soul they sold
my two children who are in Philadel-
phia. / saw these children sold in the
board of trade once before, and I could
not endure to see it done again. Now
/ figure it out that when a man is in
bondage he has a right to help himself
out if he can. / have a grievance. 1t
is a struggle for bread Once they
sent me to Kankakee. That was sew
eral years ago. The asylum did me
no good, but have thought late that
| would ike to 60 to some asylum
again. I went to the board of trade
today because L thought they would
put my soul for sale. 1 belong to an
invisible society which demands 81
per week as a membership fee. How
could I pay my fee with nothing to
do and my soul being sold at the board
Of trader"
Belden was cool and collected while
talking. Belden is a carriage painter,
He is without doubt lunatic. He is
stout man of middle age, and was
poorly dressed. For time he refused
to give any name except Chicago"