The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-08
AN EYE WITNESS
STORY OF THE ATTEMPTED MUIR
DER FROM ONE WHO
STOOD NEAR
PRESIDENT DID NOT FALL
Stood Erect for a Moment After Be-
ing Wounded, Then Was Sup
ported by Mr.. Corr
teIyOu.

BUFFALO, Sept. I-On many material
points and particularly the utterances of
the president after he was shot the wit
nesses of yesterdays tragedy at the Tenn
pie of Music fail to agree. The action
of the tragedy was very fast and It's
commencement was followed by a scene
of confusion In which it was ditficult
to either see Or hear with accuracy, how
ever close one stood to the president and
his assailant. It is now conceded that
the president did not say May Cor for
give him" after he was shot, and agreed
that his first speech was reference to
his wife: Il trust Mrs. Mckinley Will
not be informed of this; at least hope it
will not be exaggerated
A newspaper reporter who stood just
behind the president when the shooting
occurred gave one of the c1earest ac-
counts related so far. He said:
II stood about ten feet from the presi-
dent and saw Czolgosz approach him The
latter had his right hand drawn UP close
to his breast and a white linen handker-
chief wrapped about it bore the appear
ance of a bandage. He extended his
left hand, and I am quite sure the presf-
dent thought he was injured, for he
leaned forward and looked at him in
sympathetic way. When directly in
front of the president Czolgosz threw his.
IlSHl DtrnQ FORWARD ana nf60. L saw the
flash and smoke followed by the report
and then heard the second shot. IN
stantly John Parker, the colored man,
and Secret Agent Foster We're upon Czol-
gosz, and they bore him to the floor
Czolgosz, lying PROSTATE, still retained
hold on his revolver and seemed to be
trying to get his arm free to fire again
The president did not fall. He raised his
right hand and felt of his breast and
seemed to be maintaining his upright po-
sition only by wonderful effort. L am
sure he did not speak at that moment.
He gazed fixedly at his assailant with a
look which I cannot describe, but which
l shall never forget and In moment
reeled back into the arms of Secretary
Cortelyou. Czolgosz's revolver had by
that time been knocked from his hand
and some one had picked up the burning
handkerchief which lay at his feet CzoI-
gosz was picked up, forced back and
again knocked down. Mr.. Cortelyou and
Mr.. Milburn supported the president and
led him to a chair I heard him ask
that the news be kept from his wife, and
a moment later, when Secretary CorteI-
you asked him if he felt much pain, ne
said: 'This wound hurts very much ;"
He seemed to be fairly easy as he rested
In the chair and some of the fading color
came back to his face. He reached his
right hand inside of his shirt, and when
he withdrew it his fingers were tipped
with blood. He paled again at the sight
of the blood, and I think he tainted. Sc
nor AzpirosZ the Mexican minister, broke
through the crowd and rushing up to the
president. cried: my God, Mr.. President,
are you shot?" The minister seemed
about to throw himself at the feet of the
president, but was restrained The presi-
dents answer came very slowly, and In
a hating subdued voice, he said: Yes
I believe [ am The president was at
tracted by the scuff1e of officers who
were dragging the would-be murderer
away. but he did not speak. His head
rested on the arm of Mr.. Miburn and he
seemed only party conscious. His cour-
age was superb and while he was con-
scfous he was the master of the pain
which he suffered. When the ambulance
came and stretcher was brought in he
started forward and partly regained his
feet unassisted. I heard not word from
the assailant of the president. He was
struck down the moment he fired the
second shot, and If he did speak 1t
probably was an exclamation at the very
rough treatment he was receiving.