The daily sentinel., 1901-10-01
GH0ULS ATTACK
M'KlNLEY'S TOMB
An Attempt Made to Oyerpower
the Guard. 1.-The Soldier is
Stabbed. .--Bodysnatch-
ers Finally Escape.


whore a company Of regulars from Fort
Wayne, Michigan. are guarding the vault
in which the body OF the late President
Mckinley lies. 1t is to the effect that
the guard on duty on top Of the vault
fred a shot at one man who refused to
heed his challenge; that the shot was di.
verted by another man who appeared
from another direction and that an ef-
fort was made to stab the guard.
Military regulations prevent either the
officers or the mon Of the post from be-
ing quoted on any matter connected with
their service and for this reason Captain
Biddle, who 10 in command, was obliged
to decline to be quoted at the camp to-
night. He will make full report to his
supeYiors at once.
Reliable authorities made the follow
ing statement
Private Deprend was on guard duty on
top of the vault at a point commanding
the entrance below and the approach
from the rear. Shortly before 1:S0 he
saw what he took to be the face Of man
peering from behind tree about 40 feet
from his post. He watched 1t for 20
minutes, he says, and at 7:Ao saw the
man hurry to tree 10 feet nearer.
He challenged the man to halt, but
this was not needed, and the fellow ap-
preached nearer. Deprend leveled his
gun and aimed to shoot for effect. but
just at that instant another man who
came towards him from the OPPOSITE side.
caught the gun, threw it up aad the bull
let was spent in the air.
This same man struck Deprsnd on the
right side Of the abdomen with knife
or other sharp weApon, 1edtting. m b
shaped cash in his overcoat, an inch and
half long each way, and smaller one
in his blouse. The desh was not brok.
en-, but was bruised under the cuts in
the clothing. Deprend in the struggle
fell aud rolled down the side Of the vault.
Lieutenant Ashbridge, officer OF the
day, was in front OF the vault and rushed
to the top on hearing the shot, but the
men made good their escape. All men-
bers Of tho company, on hearing tho shot,
hurried to tho vault, and besides search
ing the cemetery the guard was increased.
Deprsnd is a recruit snlisted in New
York about four months ago. he Is
said to be an excellent soldier and to
have fine record with his officers. BE
says the man who attacked him was
masked, but that tho first one he raw
was not masked. He says tho latter
carried q white package in hls right hand
and something that glittsred in his left.
Since the incident stories have been
sations overheard in the crowds that
have visited the cemetery, Including one
today alleging that some stranger said:
Lots OF people would like to see this
whole thing blown up"
| There are seventy soldiers at the Gem
etery, twenty OF whom are constantly on
guard about the vault and camp.
| Lieutenant Ashbride was on duty less
than . hundred feet away in front Of the
vault and is said to have reached the top
within Q few seconds after he heard the
shot, but when he arrived the guard was
at the foot of the slope in which the vault
is built, whore he rolled after the assault
and the supposed providers were making
their escape with good lead. Others
Of the company were attracted by the re-
port of tho rife but reached the scene
too late to be Of any assistance except 70
participate in the pursuit and the search
made Of the cemetery and in increasing
the guard for the night.
Stories regarding the incident, whom
they reached tho city, wore connected
with the jail delivery that occurred about
| the same time.
| While there seems TO be no doubt
that at least two prowlers Attempted to
reach the vault, there 10 much difference
Of opinion % to the object Of the intrud-
srs, who evidently made good their ~
cape, as the cemetery has been searched
over in vain. ...