The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-17
Blow Aimed at the Executive While
He was Participating in the In
dependence Day Celebration.
NO DAMAGE WAS INFLICTED
THE ASSAILANT PRONfrTLH
KNOCKED DOWN AND ARRESTED.
Congress Opened Later in the Day BIZ
the President-Points from His Mes
sage-The Silver Question.

CITY OF MEXICO, Sept. 16.-Tgnacio
Anulfo a violent character assaulted
President Diaz to-day dvring the military
procession, usual on Independence day. The
man was felled with cane by a compan-
ion of the President and was immediately
taken into custody by the authorities.
The central thoroughfa1e of this city. ex-
tending from the great Plaza to Alameda
or the Public Park, and known by various
names, was thronged by thousands OF peo-
pie this morning assembled to see the mill
tary procession usual on independence day
pass by. The sidewalks, balconies and fire.
quently housetops were crowded with peo-
pie. and many of the houses and private
residences and the more palatial buildings
were profuse1y adorned with the national
colors, foreign flags and magnificent floral
displays. Gendarmes lining either side OF
the street kept the crowd from pressing
in the open space, through which passed
the various bodies of civic and federal
marchers on the way to take part in the
public exercises at Alameda, after which
the military parade was to march through
the same street, on its way to the national
palace, to be reviewed by President Diaz.
The scene was immensely picturesque, the
historic avenue called bv George Augustus
Sala one of the famous streets of the
world being all aglow with color and the
Spanish fashioned balconies filled with La
dies in brillinat toilets. After a short wait,
the murmur ran through the crowd that
the President was coming and on foot,
dressed in the uniform of a general of di-
vision. The President bowling right and
left to the applauding crowd, came, imme-
diately behind him being General Pradillos
the governor of the National Palace, who
served in the same capacity under Emperor
Maximilian. Following them were other
officers, Cabinet ministers, etc.
Suddenly near the Alameda there was
disturbance in the crowd on the sidewalk
and a well-built muscular man with flow
ing black hair and mustache, forced his
way by tremendous effort past the gem
darmes and soldiers and jumped between
the President and General Pradillo and the
chief of staff, Monasterio and dealt a blow
at the back of the Presidents neck but the
violence of the blow was diminished by the
fact that he was crowded between the
President and officers Immediately follow
ing him. The President turned around and
caught sight of his assailant and resumed
his march with admirable coolness.
Meantime Chief-of-stam Monasterio hit
the man with a cane, who, turning, seized
it and broke it, General Pradllo then hit
him pow erful blow on the neck, telling
him. The gendarmes rushed forward and
some mounted officers and police seized
and pinioned him. He was taken through
side street and led away and the people
shouting, GIVE him to us; we will hang
him" But the gendarmes succeeded 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 psrson. He was taken to
the city hail. securely bound and placed in
solitary confinement after being questioned
by officers. His name is Ignacio Anulfo,
who has Of late been employed In notary'S
Office as clerk, and is said by the chief
Of police to have a record as man of vio-
lent habits, given to drink and quarrelsomc.
Various stories are told regarding his de-
sign on the President one theory being
that he was armed with a dagger, as many
police believe but if so he must have
thrown it away as no weapon foVa ad
on him. 1t seems almost certain that 40
intended harm, for, at the moment of deal
ing the blow he used opprobrious terms and
seemed most manacal
4 A'N~N'o~~
was cheered by the crowds. and an inn
mense crowd assembled in front of the pal-
ace cheering and calling for the President.
President Diaz took the matter very coolly
and advised that the man be kept in GUS
tody until tomorrow and brought before
him to explain his motives, apparently be-
lieving that the man had no murderous in
tent but the police feel that the case is ono
that demands the deepest investigation. and
they eounseied his being turned over 70 the
military tribunal as he had assaulted their
commander-in-chief while in uniform. 1t
is variously reported that Anulfo Will be
tried by court-martfal, and also that he VIII
be handed over to the civil authorities.
Gen. Powell Clayton, the United States
minister, Immediately called upon the Presi-
dent and offered his congratulations, as did
other diplomats and many other prominent
people There is no doubt that II Anulfo
had fallen into the hands of the people he
would have been torn into pieces, SO IN
tense was the rage of the people. Sons
think Anulfo merely made the assault for
the sake of gaining notoriety. having read
the accounts OF the assassination of Cano-
vas.
The President received an ovation en-
ter1ng the Chamber Of Deputies tonight
to open Congress, every one present desir-
ing to show their satisfaction tina. he had
escaped unharmed from an attempt made
on him in the morning. In leaving the hall
a man approached to address him, but was
Immediately arrested by the gendarmes
OPENING or CONGRESS.
Annual Message OF the President-'rhe
Decline In silver.