The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1901-09-13


ed. Upon the presidents left stood MIR.
COrtelyou.
1t was shortly after 4 o'clock when
one of the throng which surrounded the
presidential party n medium sized man
of ordinary appearance and plainly
dressed In black. approached as II to
greet the president.
Both Secretary Cortelyou and Presi-
hand was swathed in a bandage or
hands was shathed in bandage or
handkerchief. Reports of bystanders
differ as to which hand. He worked MS
way amid the stream of people up to
the edge of the dias until he was within
two feet of the president.
President Mckinley smiled, bowed
and extended his hand in that spirit OF
geniality the American people so well
know when suddenly the sharp crack
of revolver rang out loud and clear
above the hum of voices, the shutting
of myriad feet and vibrating waves OF
applause that ever and anon swept here
and there over the assemblage.
An Awful Moment
There was an instant of almost COM
plete silence like the hush that follows
clap of thunder or momentary silence
that ensues after the discharge of
bombshell. The president stood stock
still, look of hesitancy, almost of be-
wilderment on his face. Then he re-
treated step, while a pallor began to
steal over his features. The multitude,
only partially aware that something Sc
rious had happened, paused in the 81
lence of surprise, while necks were
craned and all eyes turned as one
toward the rostrum where great ira
gedy was being enacted.
Then came a commotion. Three men
threw themselves forward as with one
impulse and sprang toward the would
be assassin Two of them were secret
service men who were on the lookout
and whose duty it was to guard against
just such a calamity as had here be-
fallen the president and the nation.
The third was bystander negro, who
had only an instant previously grasped
in his dusky palm the hand of the presi-
dent. The trio hurled themselves upon
the presidents aSsailant. In twink
ling he was borne to the ground, his
weapon was wrested from his grasp,
and strong arms piniOned him down.
For moment the confusion was ter
rible. The crowd surged forward, re-
CARELESS of consequences. Men shouted
and fought, women screamed and chill
dren cried. Some of those nearest the
doors fed in fear of a stampede, while
hundreds of others from the outside
struggled blindly forward in the effort
to penetrate the crowded building and
solve the mystery of excitement and
panic which every moment grew and
swelled within the congested interior
of the edifice.
Inside, on the slightly raised dias, was
enacted within those few feverish mo-
ments a tragedy,sO dramatic in char
acter, so thrilling in its intensity. that
few who looked on will ever be able
to give succinct account of what
really did transpire. Even the actors
who were playing the principal roles
came out of it with blanched faces,
trembling limbs and beating hearts,
Willie lutlI DIhlhS lllODpCu W III u
tumult of conflicting emotions which
left behind only chaotic tumble of i'm
pressions which could not be clarified
into a lucid narrative of the events
as they really transpired.
Wonderful SeIf-PosseSion
But of the multitude which witnessed
or bore a part in the scene of turmoil
and turbulence, there was but one mind
which seemed to retain its equilibrium,
one hand which remained steady one
eye which gazed with unfiinching calm
ness, and one voice which retained it's
even tenor, and faltered not at the most
critical iuncture.
They were the mind and the hand and
the eye and the voice of President Nc
Kinley.
After the first shock of the assassin's
shots he retreated a step; then, as the
detectives leaped upon his assailant, he
turned, walked steadily to a chair and
seated himself, at the same time remov-
ing his hat and bowling his head in his
hands.
In an instant, Secretary Cortelyou and
President NIIlburn were at his side. His
waistcoat was hurriedly opened, the
president meanwhile admOnishing those
about him to remain calm and telling
them not to be alarmed.
"But you are wounded" cried his sec
rotary, "let me examine"
"No, think not" answered the presi- |
dent, II am not badly hurt, l assure
you"
Nevertheless, his outer garments were |
hastily loosened, and when a trickling |
stream of crimson was seen to wind it's .
way down his breast, spreading its tell |
tale stain over the white surface of the |
linen, their worst fears were confirmed. .
The president retained the full ex-
ercise of his faculties until placed on
the operating table, and subjected to an
Upon the first eXamina-
ton it was ascertained that one bullet
had taken effect in the right breast, just
below the nipple, causing compar-
atively harmless wound.
The other took effect in the abdomen,
four inches below the left nipple, four
inches to the left of the navel, and about
Old a level with it,
Had No Confederate
Leon Czolgosse, the accused and self
confessed wuuld-be assassin, has signed
a confession covering six pages of fools
cap paper. As near as can be learned
the facts contained in the confession
are as follows:
The mans name is Leon Czolgosse.
He is of Polish German extraction. His
home is in Cleveland, where he has
seven brothers and sisters. He is an
avowed anarchist. and an ardent dis
ciple of Emma Goldman, whose teach
Ings he alleges are responsible for the
,,n,,, tho r,raSi5npt 10 Hanias D