The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-10
ROOSEVELT'S SORROW.
How He Received the News of the At
tempted Assassination.

New York Times.
With Vice President Roosevelt at Isle La
Motto on Friday were Winston Churchill
the author, and John Barrett, ex-minister
to Siam. Mr.. Barrett was with the Vice
President in the house of Ex-Governor Fisk
when the former received the news of the
attack on President Mckinley, and re-
turned with him to Burlington with Sena-
tor Proctor, Congressman Foster and Mr..
Churchill on board DIR. Webb's yacht Ell
frida. When asked, on his arrival in New
York, how the Vice President received the
news. Mr.. Barrett said:
Il shall never forget the demeanor of the
Vice President under the influence of this
great shock. IL the President should die, as
we all hope he will not, this incident at Isle
La Motto would be indeed historical. When
the Vice President finished his public adj
dress he walked from the tent where the
gathering was neld 70 the house of ex-Gov-
ernor Fisk to rest before shaking HANDS
with the large crowd outside
He was about changing his clothes when
called to the telephone AS soon as ne
realized the meaning OF the terrible news a
daZed expression, followed by a look of un-
mistakable anguish, came to his face, and
tears Immediately filled his eyes. He was
plainly laboring under deep emotion, and
asked Senator Proctor, likewise keenly af
fected to make the sad announcement to
the waiting crowd outside.
THE Vice President paced nervously, but
not excitedly, up and down the room,
passed a few appropriate remarks in con-
versation with US, dictated telegram 10
Buffalo, and quietly waited for more news.
When shortly the second bulletin followed,
saving that the Presidents wounds were
not necessarily fatal ana that ne mlghL re-
cover the Vice President exclaimed with
sincerest feeling: That's good-it Is good.
May it be every bit true, and Immediately
he brushed aside those about him, fastened
out on the veranda and made the reaSsur-
ing announcement himself
"As the larger part of the crowd had al
nv11-
barked on the steamer Chateaugay 10 re-
turn to Burlington. he added with special
emphasis: Tell everybody aboard the BOAT
so that they will all feel better.
when the vice presidential party were en-
route back to Burlington we were all much
impressed with the Vice Presidents calm
ness sincere sorrow and unselfshness. Al
though face to face with the significant
possibility that he might receive word OF
the Presidents death when the boat
reached Burlington, he betrayed no excite
ment but seemed entirely wrapped in the
one hope that the President would recover
Somebody in all kindness. but thocghtless-
" said to him: Mr.. Vice President, you
must he anxious lest on arrival you shall
hear that the death of Mr. Mckinley mas
made you President
Instantly he raised his hand in charac-
teristic gesture and, with a panied look,
said: Do not speak Of that contingency.
Our one thought and prayer is now for the
President and that he may be spared
"ConverSng with the little group about
him he remarked of President Mckinley:
/ He IS such a lONdDle ana gentle as Wei as
great man that l cannot understand how
any man could do this. OF all men that
have known in public life he was the last
TO excite animOsity ! am not only sorry
for the President himself. but for the Amer
/ lean people. that such a crime should be
committed in this free. democratic country
IF the prayers Of the country for the
| Presidents recovery shall be unaVailing.
| those of US who were at the Vice Presi-
| dents side during the first trying hours
| that followed the announcement that the
| President had been shot can testify TO a de-
gree of mingled compOsure. grief and un-
selfish consideration in this tragic situation
| that the people expect Of great man under
! such stress OF thought and circums tances ~