The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-31
ITALYS CALAMITY
AFFECTING SCENES IN KINGS
DEATH CHAMBER.
ASSASSIN IS INDIFFERENT
OPPOSITION TO MONARCHY GIVEN
AS HIS CAUSE.

king-Queen Margherita Declared
1t the Crime of the Century-Hum-
bert Loved His People and Bore Iii
VIII to None.
Monza, July SO.-After the shooting of
King Humbert here last night as soon
as His Majesty's attendants could realize
what had happened, he was placed in his
carriage and driven as rapidly as possi-
tle to the palace. He was, however, be-
yond human aid.
The assassin's name is variously given
torn in Prato Nov. 10. 1859, and is
weaver by trade. He comes from America,
aIe says he had no accomplices and that
he committed the crime because of his
hatred Of monarchical institutions. He
reached Monza July q from Milan where
he stayed few days.
1t appears that when King Humbert
was wounded he exclaimed: "It is moth
trgr
The royal carriage covered the distance
between the gymnastic society club house.
where the crime was committed, and the
royal villa, at full speed. requiring but
three minutes. The King expired on the
way, and, although placad on a bed, was
dead when the doctors arrived.
Bressi is young and swsrthy 1t ap-
pears that he remained four days in Prato
md two days at Bologna, after which he
came here. ~
Scenes in Death Chamber.
When Queen Margherta arrived at the
villa it was still hoped that the King
would survive, and when the truth was
broken to her a heart-rending scene en-
sued. Bursting into tears she exclaimed:
"It is the greatest crime of the century
Humbert was good and faithful No per
son could have loved his people more. He
was one who bore i'll will to none"
When the Queens mother arrived there
was another affecting scene.
The assassin is strictly guarded in
prison He continues to preserve absolute
indifference. and took his meals to-day
without any sign of being affected by his
position. A second revolver was found
on the public stand in the gymnastic
grounds
The room where the embalning is pro-
ceeding is already filed with flowers. The
Queen herself placed a wreath on the
bier and knelt and prayed beside the body;
and, in spite of the entreaties of the
princes and prncesses, she refuses to quit
the death chamber, which is in charge of
Count Jurri. the late Kings aide-de-
camp.
The expression of the dead Kings face
Is tranquil and even smiling. The corpse
was blessed Immediately after death.
Details of the Tragedy.
Few additional details of the terrible
tragedy are available 1t happened so
quickly and unexpectedly that the King
was dead almost before the spectators
realized what bad occurred
No special precautions had been taken.
Very few police were in attendance and
only small guard of soldiers was keep
ing the way clear for the carriage. The
King, amid the cheers of the crowd, came
out smiling, accompanied by his aide-de-
camp, Gen. Baglia. He had entered the
carriage and was just driving Off when
the revolver shots were fired in quick
succession. Some witnesses assert that
Bressi was seen just previously waving
his band and cheering. The first shot
wounded the King in the neck. the second,
the fatal one. pierced his heart, and the
third broke the arm of the already dying
sovereign.
The crowd was stunned by the unex-
pected scene. but speedily rush was
made toward the assassin. He did not at
tempt to escape and was roughly treated
until the carabineers formed Gordon and
secured him from the fury of the people.
An eye witness says that Immediately
after the shots were fired the King fell
back, press ing his hand to his heart. He
~as Instantly supported by Gen. Baglis
who told the coachman to drive with all
sped to the castle. After h S exclamation,
1T is nothing" he did not utter
sound. Blood gushed from his mouth.
Assassin From America.
The assassin, on reaching the guard
Eoom OF the carabineers, was IN pltlaDle
condition., his hands and arms being lac
Grated and bloody, and his clothes torn
by the angry crowd. Replying to questions
ne Kissed through his clenched teeth
Tell them I came from America on
purpose to kill Humbert. 1 have only
Just arrived from America, and know no
one l spent day at Bologna and then
came on to Milan"
search made at his home at Prato re-
suited in the finding of several comprom-
tsing letters from New York. One, signed
oy woman, was dated June 25 In this
letter the writer asks whether all Is ready
and expresses hope that he will seon re-
turn.
Bressi had been absent from Prato for
ELK or seven years. His parents 1--we
tnere, and he has a brother in an Italian
infantry regiment.
IN reference to the finding Of another
revolver. 1t is asserted that Bressi had
oeen seen in company with young man
IN the park at Monza near where the King
was In the habit OF riding.
alter his arrest he appeared wakeful