The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-19

YORK, May 1S.-An attempt
was made to-day 10 kill ex-United States
Senator ]. r. Mcpherson, in his ofiice in
Aldrtch building, this city. William B.
Van AIKEN, who made the attempt, Is
partly blind and Is said to be interested in
suit in which the senator Is also in-
volyed. Van AIKEN had an acoompllee
In the matter whose name Is unknown
and who escaped. Van AIKEN was ar
rested.
Senator Mcpherson, who represented
New Jersey In the senate Of the United
States for about eighteen years. - now
president OF the Western Stock Yards
Company, with Offices in the Aldridge
building. The ex-senator occupies an
inner office, while the outer ONCE Is Tor
his secretary. Edward F. Low.
Both men we're In their usual places
about II o'clock this morning, when two
men entered. One was Van AIKEN, WeI
built man about five feet ten inche9 in
height. The other man was somewhat
smaller. Both men walked through the
secretary'g ONCE, past Mr. Low and INTO
the inner offlce, whore Senator AcPher-
son sat. Senator Mcpherson was look
inG over some papers ct his desk and sat
with his back to the door. Both men
walked UP to him and spoke to him.
Just what they said Is not known a.
the senator has not quite recovered from
the shock and cannot tell wSat really
happened. He Is 90 weak that nurse
always accompanies him TO his once,
Mr.. Low, the secretary. says that he
heard Van AIKEN say something to the
senator about wanting him 10 settle q sun
Mr. Low says thnt both men seemed TO
have un interest In suit over the Belle
Meade stock farm. on the Lehlgh rail-
road, IN New Jersey.
Mr.. Low remembers hearing Senator
McPherSnn tell Van AIKEN that he could
say nothing about the suit and must re-
fer him 10 his lawyer. After that Mr..
Low took no further notice until min
ute or 90 later the private once door was
suddenly pushed open. With cry OF
alarm the aged ex-senator came quickly
out Into the front once. Cropping his
way, IN a fury Of blind haste. Van AIKEN
followed. His companion endeaYoTing
TO guide him through the doorway, but
Van AIKEN hurried ahead, putting his
hands out IN front of him to feel his way.
Before Mr.. Low could Fise from his seat
Van AIKEN cltItched the ex-senator with
his right hand and fumblcd with his left
behind his back. Van Akeh's compan-
ION at this juncture hurried out of the
room.
When Mr.. Low caught Van Aken's
arm the half blind man had succeeded in
pulling a revolver from his pocket. He
raised Il until the muzEle was almost
against the trembling old mans heart.
With a quick movement Mr.. Low knock
ed the weapon up. In doing 50 he man
aged to get his finger caught In the trlg-
ger. Van AIKEN, still clutchlnB the sena-
Sor. who was shouting for aSn5tance.
pulled madly at the pistol, which was
now pointed at the ceiling and rendered
harmless by Mr.. Lows finger In the trig-
ger In answer TO the shouts other ten
ants came cruwdlng In. After a short
struggle Van AIKEN was disarmed and
overpowered.
Before a policeman arrived Van AIKEN
desIsted from struggling. He was taken
over TO the Centre stree. police court.
He Is well dressed man and gave his
address at a Tenth avenue hotel, this
city. After Senator Mcpherson had
somewhat recovered from the effects OF
the shock he said that he had never be-
fore seen Van AIKEN or his companion.