Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-19
MURDER ESSAYED.
Assassination Attempted on Ex.
Senator Mcpherson.
TWO MEN IN THE CRIMINAL PLOT


of New Jersey, but Is Prevented by His
Secretary-Assailant Probably Insane
Whole Family Murdered Near Helena,
Mont.-Man. Wife, Grown Daughter and
Son the victims-Clark's Taking-OE
New York, May 19.-Former United
States Senator ]. r. Mcpherson, of New
Jersey, had narrow escape from being
killed at his office in this city yesterday.
William Van AIKEN attempted to shoot
him and was prevented from doing 50
by Edward F. Low. An accomplice of
Van AIKEN escaped. Van AIKEN, who is
was partially blind, was arrested.
The accomplice seems to have been
taken along as guide to the part
ly blind would-be assassin. When
Van AIKEN started to pull his revolver
Mcpherson ran into the outside office;
where Van AIKEN was tackled by Low.
who prevented him from shooting while
McPhersons outcry brought a crowd
that disarmed the assassin, who was
afterward arrested.
The Ex-senator Makes a Statement.
Van AIKEN was arraigned in police
court yesterday ami remanded in de-
fault OF $4,000 bail. Mcpherson has adj
United that he knew Van AIKEN several
years ago, but added that the appear
ance of the latter had so changed that
at first he did not recognize him. Van
Aken, said Mcpherson, was once
very wealthy man, owned property in
New Jersey and was a contractor. He
built several docks in this city and New
Jersey. He was obliged to mortgage a
good deal of his property, and bought
one of his Jersey farms at a mortgage
sale. I never had a direct transaction
with the man, but he came to me after
wards and claimed that I had entered
into an agreement with him to run the
farm on equal profit shares. He insisted
that owed him $500 and in Novem-
Der last brought suit in the supreme
court. ] had the suit transferred to the
United States court, and since that time
he has not attempted to revive the suit.
I am inclined to believe that the man is
insane.
Attacked by the would-Be Assassin.
ivan AIKEN told me this morning that
he was tired out waiting fer his lawyer
to settle the case, and thought that we
could settle it between us. I told him 1
did not want to talk to him and that he'd
better go away; if he wanted to know
anything about the case he must go to
my lawyer. When had said that, his
accomplish deliberately turned a chair
SO that Van AIKEN was exactly opposite
me and sat with his knees against mine.
Then Van AIKEN said: Will you settle
the case?' I said that would not. He
made move towards his hip pocket and
l got up and went out into my secreta-
rvs office. If it had not been for Mr..
Lows actions in the matter Iwould have
been killed"
Will Not Make Any Defense.
Rufus N. Williams, the attorney for
Van AIKEN, said that he would not put in
any defense and the case was set for the
grand jury. Williams went to look for
a bondsman and the prisoner was taken
to the Tombs. Mcpherson said that he
Is very anxious to secure the capture Of
Van Aken's companion, who was poorly
dressed and not the sort of looking man
whom Van AIKEN would know intimate
~. Van AIKEN, in court, declared that
In going to the Office Of Mcpherson he
had no intention to shoot him but simply
wanted settlement of the suit.
First Time He'd Been Out for Months.
Al. the hotel where Van AIKEN lives it
is said that yesterday was the first day
that he left the house since last fall He
was always looked upon as respectable
business man and was an object of SYM
pathy on account of his blindness He
has been blind for two years. He is said
to have one son and to be widower.