The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-07
THE SHOTS WERE FIRED THE GROUNDS OF THE PANMERCAN
EXPOSITION AND THE W0ULDBE ASSASSIN IS POLISH ANAR
CHIST FRED NIEMAN FROM DETROIT, WHO IS
BE LIEVED TO BE CRAZY.

full acceptance of the story, but when it
was confirmed a feeling OF deep gloom
and profound sorrow spread over the city,
for Mr.. McKinleys delightful personality
had endeared him to the citizens of
Washington apart from the official class,
in a degree that rarely has been equalled
1t was some time before the full force
of the blow was appreciated; the people
were stunned and they could not respond
at once and fully comprehend the extent
OF the great disaster that had fallen upon
the country and themselves. Then the
newspaper extras began to appear; the
carriers rushed madly through the streets
and crowds of people began to gather
from all quarters of the city around the
newspaper bulletin boards
FIRST NEWS AT WHITE HOUSE.
A reporter of the Associated Press car
ried to the White House the first bulle-
tin announcing the shooting of the Presi-
dent. The Executive Mansion was reach
ed about 4:25, and at that time all it's
few inmates were in total ignorance of
the tragedy in which their chief had Just
played so serious a part. A policeman
paced up and down under the portico as
usual, but his serene countenance inti-
mated that he was totally ignorant of the
affair. Inside there were few to receive
the news, the most prominent parsonage
there being telegraph operator, Assist
ant Secretary Pruden, who has been in
charge of the White House, having left
his office for the day as had his subor-
dinates. The telegraph operator, two
watchmes~at the doors. the policeman on
guard outside and the faithful colored
servant Uncle jerry were the only
persons about the Mansion.
The work of the official day was done
when the news of the great calamity ar
rived here, and the great executive de-
partments had generally emptied them
selves of their human workmen and very
few of the officials were to be found at
their desks Mr. Adee, the acting head
of the Department of State, had quilted
the city for his summer home near
Laurel Nd.
In the Navy Department, Mr.. Hackett,
the Acting Secretary, who had also quilted
the building, was recalled by Captain
Cowes, the other acting head of the Navi-
cation Bureau, and he Immediately put
himself in readiness to take any official
action that might be necessary to meet
the emergency At Buffalo in the Expo
sition grounds the Navy had a splendid
representation in the shape of the Marine
Battalion, under Captain Lonard, and this
force will be made Immediately available
if it is decided by the persons about the
prnS II
his person
At the War Department, General Giles
pie, chief of engineers of the army who
was acting Secretary, Immediately sent
messages to the Secretary Of War and to
General Brooke, commanding the Depart
ment of the East, giving such unofficial
information as was available. He also
teiegraphed 10 Major Simonds, the engin-
eer officer stationed at Buffalo, asking
him to report the facts at the earliest
possible moment. Conferences were held
between Acting Secretary Hackett and
General GiIlioepie in reference to any
joint steps which the army and navy
might be called upon to take
THE CABINET TO MEET.
In addition to the marines representing
the Navy, the United States army is we'll
represented at Buffalo and at nearby Fort
Niagara and with the troops thus at his
disposal General Gillespie says he is fully
prepared to meet any call that may be
made upon him. General Gillespie finally
got into communication with Secretary
Root and Assistant Secretary Sanger and
as result of the telephone talk he pro-
ceeded to use some of the forces at his
disposal. He telegraphed an order to
Fort Foster, n. Y, to have an officer
physician and a squad of men proceed
Immediately to the hospital where the
president is lying to act as a guard. Steps
were next taken to provide for the future
OF the executive branch of the Govern
ment. 1t was realized that even under
the most favorable conditions the Presi-
dents injuries are of such character
as to make it almost certain that he can
not undertake for long time to dis
charge the duties of chief executive even
in the most formal way. Every member
of the Cabinet able to travel, is expected
to speed at once to Buffalo and there a
Cabinet council will be held to decide
upon the course to be followed by the
executive branch. Vice President Roose-
vclt of course, will hold himself in readi-
ness to do whatever is necessary and to
meet the obligations imposed upon the
Vice President by the Constitution of the
United States. These are contained in
Six section one, article 2, in
the following words:
IN case of the removal of the Presi- |
dent from office or of his DEATH resig- |
nation, or inability to discharge the pow
ers and duties of the said office, the same |
shall devolve on the Vice President, etc.
ROOSEVELT MUST ACT.
Under the terms of this article. as soon |
as Mr.. Roosevelt is assured by proper au- |
thority. probably in this case by the Sc
nior member of the Cabinet, Secretary |
Hay, who will doubtless be In Buffalo by |