The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-10
LIVED ONLY TWO HOURS
INTENSE EXCITEMENT PRODUC-
ED THROUGHOUT SPAIN.
HAD GONE TO SANTA AGNUDA FOR REST
The Assassin Says His Action Was the Result
of an Anarchist PIot--The Queens
Coincidence, and Sagastas Prompt
Message to the Government.

Message to the government
Madrid, August S.-Senor Canovas
Del Castillo. the Prime Minister of
Spain, was assassinated today at Santa
Agueda by an anarchist. The murderer
fired three shots, two of which struck
the Premier in the head and the other in
the chest. The wounded man fingered
for two hours and died at
3 o'clock this afternoon. His wife was
but short distance away when he fell.
Santa Agueda is noted for its baths.
The place is between San Sebastian,
the summer residence OF the Spanish
court, and Vittoria, the capital Of the
provice OF Alava, about thirty miles
south of Bilbao. The Premier went
there last Thursday to take n three
weeks course of the baths, after which
he expected to return to San Sebastian
to meet United States Minister Wood
ford when officially received by the
Queen Regent.
The health Of Senior CanOvas had inn
proved greatly of late. He had been
leading a very quiet life, although he
attended to the business of state.
FIRED AT HIM POINT BLANK.
At the moment of the assassination he
was waiting in the gallery of the bathing
esta blshment for his wife, who was to
join him for lunch. Suddenly the assas-
sin, who had the appearance of an ordi-
nary visitor, approached and fired at
him point blank, one bullet passing
through the body and coming out be-
hind under the left shoulder, and the
other lodging in the head. He fell in
stantly and never fully recovered con-
sciOusness.
The assassin was Immediately arres-
ted. He is a Neapolitan, and gives the
name of Randall, but it is, believed that
this is an assumed name, and that his
real name is Michaele Angino Coli.
The murderer declares that he killed
Senior Canovas 'in accomplishment Of
just vengeance" and that the deed is
the outcome of a vast anarchist con-
spiracy. He is believed TO have arrived
at Santa Agueda the same day as the
Premier. and he was frequently seen
lurking in the passages Of the bathing
establishment in a suspicious manner.
ASSASSIN ALMOST LYNCHED.
Several medical men and Senior Ca
vonas's wife were unremitting in their
attention to the sufferer, but his wounds,
unhappily, were mortal, and he died in
two hours. Extreme JUNCTION was ad-
ministered, amid n scene OF mingled sor-
row and Indignation. The assassin mar
rowly escaped lynching at the hands Of
the walters and attendants, who rush
ed forward. Detectives and civil guards
Immediately secured him. He was very
pale, trembled violently, and evidently
feared that he would be killed on the
spot. He will be first arraigned before
the local magistrates at Vergara.
1t was at first rumored that the as
sassin was one OF the pardoned Bar
celona anarchists, but this is not con-
firmed.
The Queen Regent, on hearing the sad
news, dispatched her own physician, DIR.
Bustos, by a special train from San Sc
bastan. Later, on learning that Cano-
vas was dead, she wired her condolences
to the widow.
THE QUEEN AND MINISTER.
The Queen Regent and all the mem
bers Of the Cabinet will return to Madrid
tomorrow. Her Majesty has intrusted
the Presidency of the Council to Cen
Azcarraga, Minister of War, and the
Cortes will be summoned to reassemble
on Tuesday.
The greatest excitement and indigna-
ton prevail among all classes. All the
members of the diplomatic corps have ex-
pressed their sympathy with the govern
ment. Many Senators, Deputies, and
Generals, while expressing their grief
and indignation, have offered to render
to the government all the assistance in
their power.
The remains of Senior Canovas will be
brought here tomorrow.
Marshal Martinez Campos has gone to
San Sebastian to attend the Queen Re
gent.
Senior Sagasta, the Liberal leader, has
sent the following telegram to the gov
eminent:
81 have heard with deep pain of the
crime that has thrown us all into mourn
ing, and place myself at the orders of
the government and of the Queen
Most OF the Liberal leaders have sent
similar messages, placing themselves at
the disposal of the government.
AENGING THEIR COMRADES.
La Correspondence de Espana says
that few days ago an important docu-
ment emanating from London was re-
ceived here with reference to plans pre-
pared by English anarchists in conjunc-
ton with foreign anarchists at n meet
ing held in London, when accusations and
threats were launched against Senior Can
ovas and Senior Tejada de Valdosera,
Minister of Justice-probnbly the paper