The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-17
DEATH-BL0W At D|Az
Attempt to Kill the President
of the Mexican Republic.
THE ASSA|LANT FOILED
THE CITY BRILLIANT WITH THE
MILITARY PROCESSION.
PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TORN HIM TO PIECES
Supposed That Ignacio AnuIfo Threw Away a
Dagger The President Admirably Cool
Minister Clayton Offered CongratuIa
tons--A Desperate Character.

City of Mexico, Sept. 1G.-lgnacio An
ulfo a violent character, assaulted Pres
ident Diaz today during the military
procession. The man was fellcd by II
companion of the president and immedi-
ately taken into custody by the authori
ties.
The central thoroughfares of this city,
extending from the great plaza TO
Alameda. or the public park, and known
by various names, was thronged by
thousands of people this morning, as
sembled to see the military procession
usual on Independence Day. pass by.
The scene was immensely picturesque.
the historic avenue called by George
Augustus Sala one of the famous streets
of the world, being all aglow with color
and the Spanish fashioned balconies
filled with ladies in brilliant toilets. At
ter II short wait a murmur ran through
the crowd that the president was coming
and on foot. dressed in the uniform of Il
general of division. The president, bow
ing right and left To the applauding
crowds. came. Immediately behind him
being General Pradillo. the governor of
the National palace. who served in the
same capacity under Emperor MaXimil-
liam. Following them were other Off
GERS. cabinet ministers, etc.
Suddenly near the Alameda there was
Il disturbance III the crowd on the side
walk and a well-built man with flowing
black hair and moustache forced his
way past the gcndarmes and soldiers
and jumped between the president and
Gen. Pradillo and the chief of staff
Monasterio, and dealt Il blow ut the
back of the presidents neck. The yio-
lence of the blow was diminished by the
fact that he was crowded between the
president and officers Immediately fol
lowing him. The president turned
around and caught sight of the assail-
ant and resumed his march with admir-
abb, cooluess. In the meantime, chief
of staff Monasterio hit the man with II
cane. who turning, seized it, and broke
it, Gen Pradillo then hit him Il power
ful blow on the neck telling him. The
gendarmes rushed forward and some
mounted officers and police seized and
pinioned him. He was taken through a
shouting: Give him to u.s. we will
ceeded in keeping their prisoner, being
reinforced by cavalrymen, the great
crowd shouting and running behind
The man was taken to the palace and
stripped, but no weapon was found on
his person. He was taken away to the
city hail. securely bound and placed in
solitary confinement after being ques-
toned by the officers. He has often
-nI
clerk and is said by the chief of police
to have a record rs Il man of violent
habits, given to drink and quarrelsome.
Various stories are told regarding his
design on the president, one theory be-
ing that he was armed with n dagger,
as many police believe.
But if so he must have thrown it
away, as no weapon was found on him.
1t seems almost certain that he intend
ed harm for ut the moment of dealing
the blow he used opprobrious terms and
was almost maniacal. The president on
returning to the palace, was cheered,
and an immense crowd assembled in
front of the palace, cheering and shout
ing and calling for President DiaZ.
President Diaz took the matter very
calmly and advised that Anufo be kept
III CUSTODY unIH TOMORROW ana DC
brought before him to find his motives,
apparently believing that he had no
murderous intent. But the police feel
that the case is one that demands the
deepest investigation, and they counsel
led his being turned over to the military
tribunal, as he had assaulted their com
mander-in-chief while in uniform. Gen.
Powell Clayton, the United States min
ister Immediately called upon President
Diaz and offered his congratulations as
did other diplomats and many other
prominent people. There is no doubt
that if Anulfo had fallen into the hands
of the people he would have been torn
to pieces, so intense was the rage. Some
think the assailant merely made the as
sault for the sake Of gaining notoriety,
having read the accounts of the assasi-
nation of Canovas.