The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-15
DID HE SHOOT AT NJ. FAUREI?
Paris Much Excited Over an Alleged A.
tempt to Kill the President.
ONLY AN EFFORT TO GAIN NOTORIETY
Il the Explanation of the Man Who Did
the Shooting-He Claims to Have Used
Blank Cartridges and 1t Appears to
be eTrue-ProbabIy Insane.

PARIS July 4.-What is claimed in
some quarters as an attempt to assassi-
nate President Felix Faure. was made
at 2:50 o'clock this afternoon at the pa
rade ground at Long Champs.
The day was the one hundred and
seventh anniversary Of the fall Of the
Bastlle. and was celebrated in the usual
manner including a review Of the troops
at Long Champs, which drew very large
concourse OF people. Among those present
were some OF the members Of the An
cieht and Honorable Artillery Company.
Of Boston, who were yesterday elected
honorary members OF the Cercle Mill
talre.
President Faure, accompanied by Prime
Minister Mehne General lie Mouton do
BOisdenre. chief OF stan or the army. and
General Tournier, chief OF the Presidents
military household. left the palace Of the
Elysee in an open carriage and drove 20
Long Champs. IL having been arranged
thar the President should review the
troops.
THE SHOOTING.
As the carriage passed through the
Porte du Moulin entrance TO the parade
ground il was surrounded by troops who
were 10 escort VI. Fauro 10 the reviewing
stand. Before the vehicle had proceeded
far tall. fair. correctly dressed man of
about thirty-live years OF age. stepped
slightly IN advance of the crowd and
drew a revolver, which some oye-wit-
nesses declare. he discharged polnt-bank
AT the President Immediately there was
"A scene OF the greatest excitement, and
II would undoubtedly have gone hard with
the man had he not at once been seized
by the gendarmes. who We're standing
by. lie was az once conducted to the
temporary police quarters. that had been
established near the grand cascade with
i'm the grounds. The man resisted arrest,
declaring that he had done nothing to
cause ms being taken into custody. He
claimed that he had not fired the revolver
with any intention OF injuring the Presl-
dent ana that in fact the weapon had
only been loaded with blank cartridges.
lie claimed that be had discharged the
revolver m eXhuherance Of spirits. some
or those who stood close by him when
the President entered the ground declare
tnat two shots We're fred. An eXamina-
ton OF the revolver that was made by
the police appears 70 bear out tne
prisoners statement that blank cartridges
were used. for In four Of the chambers
cartridges with no bullets were found.
ATTEMPTS at the police station 10 learn
ANYTHING further from the prisoner were
of no avail. lie stated that his name
WAS Francois, and refused 20 say any
thing further. The prisoner appeared 10
bs insane.
In the mean time the news Of the af-
fair had spread Ike wildhre. and the
most exaggerated reports gained c'e-
dance The crowd Of spectators surgel to-
wards the Presidents carriage. and the
troops had a difficult task in keeping the
excited people back.
FAURE UNHARMED.
II took only little time. however. for
it to be learned that NJ. Faure was un-
harmed. whcreupon the crowd cheervt
the President again and again.
Al Faurc appeared 20 Dee entirely un-
moved hy the excitement. lie had paid
no attention 10 the shot and calmly con-
yerscd with his companions in the car
riage until the shouts and cheers Of the
multitude drowned his voice Then di-
rccting his coachman to proceed. the car
rfare which had been temporarily stop
ned went on 10 the stand. where the
President reviewed the troops after
which Doe was driven back 70 the Fasce
of the Elvsee.
The police informed a reporter Of La
prcsse that Francois is the same lunatic
who recently threw a bundle of petitions
from the gallery of the Chamber OF Depu-
ties into the body of the house. thereby
causing a semi-panic among the MEM
ber'. who imagined that the bundle was
a bomb. Late this afternoon Francois
was examined by Project Lepine.
he was then more communicative and
told the preiect that I'm discharging the
revolver he merely wished to attract
attention lie reiterated his statement
that he had no wish 10 harm anybody
and that the weapon was loaded with
only blank cartridges. Francois was
formerly "a street surveyor. employed by
the Council OF Paris but was discharged
ON account Of his presumed anarchistic
tendencies The special onense which led
10 his discharge was the publication OF
revolutionary verses. lie lives at No.
Is Rue Clery
His residence was searched by the po-
lice. but nothing OF a suspicious nature
was found. The officials believe that he
is insane.
\ LESSON FOR T1LLMAN.
During the commotion which followed
the firing, a reputed anarchist, named
Boulant was arrested for saying:
That's the sort OF fellow Tor me. He
has done the proper thing
This approval Of outrage is a penal
offence under NJ. Dupuy's anti-anarchist
law. and Boulant stands a good chance
of spending a few Of the coming years
in prison.
The feeling OF the crowd at the review
ing grounds was illustrated by its treat
ment OF a waiter at a cafe at the Grand
Cascade IN some way this man was mis-
taken by the cDONd for Francois and a
savage attack was made upon him. one
OF his eyes was torn from its socket and
he was almost lynched before the police
were able TO r7cue him.
The news OF the shooting had preceded
the president 20 the city and he was
recognized by the people on the streets
Though which he passed. and was greet
ed with cheers and congratulations.
This evening the diplomats and
large number OF public men called at the
Palace OF the Eiysee and congratulated
NJ. Faure. Several sovereigns sent tele-
graphic messages OF cohgratulation.
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