The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-07-15
A PRESIDENT SHOT AT.
Alleged Attempt to Assassinate
N, Faure, of France.
ESCAPED WITHOUT A SCRATCH.

- Che Man Who Did the Shooting Declares
That He Fired Only Blank Cartridges.
Tho President Perfectly Calm Through
out tho Exciting Incident.
SPARIs, July l5--An attempt was made
TO assassinato President Faure yesterday.
He had gone to Longch 3nps to review the
troops, and had no sooner entered tho field
,than man In the crowd stepped forward
and fired a revolver twice at him. The
shots did not take effect The president
Ehs seated In an open carriage with M.
incline, the premier, and MN. Bolsdeffre
and Tournier. The man had not time to
4re again before the crowd closed in upon
him and seized him, and but for the inter
Jention OF the police he would probably
have been lynched.
p The name Of the would be assassin is
given rs Francois. 1t appears that some
time ago, In order to draw attention to q
supposed grievance which he harbored, he
Ared revolver In the hall of tho chamber
of deputies He declares that he had no
desire to harm President Faure, that ho
nred blank cartridges, and that the solo
purpose of his act was to secure a hearing
Of his grievances
When 1t became known in the crowd
That the president had not been hurt the
greatest enthusiasm was shown. Cheer
after cheer was sent up, and the people
could hardly be restrained by the guards
from crowding into the place where the
president and his slite were standing
Throughout the sensational incidents Of
the day and the exciting scenes that ac-
companled and followed the attempt upon
his life President Faure maintained an
Ioutwardly placid demeanor, and mani
tested not the slightest sign of agitation.
~When Francois, the would-be assassin,
Strengthened up from his lounging posi-
ton against n tree and deliberately opened
nre upon the president of the republic the
latter showed no symptom of alarm, and
theopen carriage in which he was riding
made no pause, but proceeded across the
reyiew ground to the presidential tribune,
where he was to review the troops, who
were out on parade in honor of the ami
'versary of the fall Of the Bastile
The cool headed course pursued by the
president promptly reassured the crowd
lof his personal safety and welfare, and the
drst momentary apprehension of tragedy
gave way TO frenzy of congratulation.
Tho presidents carriage was greeted in its
progress to the presidential tribune after
the shots had been fred, with enthusiastic
cheers from tho dense crowds which packed
all sides Of the parade ground in expecta-
tion of the brilliant spectacle. Shouts
arose from thousands Of throats "Vive
Faure, "Vivo Ia Republic and similar
cries to express the sympathy and congrat-
ulation of the multitude
J. President Faure maintained his calm
and self possessed demeanor, and after he
had taken his place in the presidential tr-
bune frequently acknowledged the cordial
greetings that were given him from all
sides by raising his hat.
Upon the return from Lungchumps to
the city after the review Of the troops was
over President Faure received trcmen-
deus ovation from the people who lined |
the whole route, anxious for glimpse of |
the president. Loud cries of "Vive la |
President" and "Vive la Republique" re.
sounded from all sides,
The full name of the man who attempted |
b assassinate the president is found to he
Eugene Marie Francois His record proves
% be well known and he has before been |
andor the surveillance of the police,
He was dismissed from his position rs
foreman Of the municipal works in June
Tor sending threatening verses to the pres.
tdent of the municipal council On June
30 he threw in the chamber Of deputies u
pamphlet entitled Freedom of Writing
In the Nineteenth Century Under FclixI."
In the pamphlet he spoke Of the abuses of
the administration, and declared that at
tempts had been made to poison him
wherever he went.
After the excitement of tho sensational
firing upon the president had somewhat
subsidized the incident began to be regarded
rs only the irresponsible and harmless act
of madman. But nevertheless several Of
the ambassadors of foreign powers and di.
plomats called upoI President Faure to
offer their fluctuations, and soveregns
autographed their congratulations upon
his escape
Another man named Boulant was also
arrested at the same time us Francois
When the latter had fred at the president
and the crowd rushed Mt him with
aspect, Boulant came to his