Evening journal., 1901-09-07
k&.d
NATIONS CAPITAL
! PLUNGED IN GRIEF
All Glasses Stunned and Dismayed BY
the Terrible News From Buffalo.

Washington. Sept. THE news
Of the shooting OF President Mckinley
reached Washington late yesterday
afternoon. causing tremendous sensa'
tion. So frequent have been rumors Of
this sort, often put afioat in recent
years for stock jobbing purposes that
the general disposition at first was to
withhold full acceptance OF the story
OF the news. but when It was confirmed
a feeling OF deep gloom and profound
sorrow spread over the city for Mr..
McKinley's delightful personality had
endeared him TO the citizens Of WASH
ington. apart from the official class, in
a degree that rarely has been equalled.
II was some time before the full force
of the blow was appreciated. The peo-
pie 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 them
selves. Then when the newspapers
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 news
paper bulletin boards.
The telephone system OF the city was
simply paralyzea for time, and many
we're the calls upon the news Offices
and upon the officials who were sup
posed to have knowledge Of the details
OF the shooting that the operators were
overwhelmed.
A reporter carried to the White
House the Grst bulletin announcing the
shooting OF the President The execu-
tive mansion was reached about 4.2b,
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, but
his serene countenance intimated that
| he was totally ignorant of the affair
Inside there were few to receive the
news, the most prominent parsonage
there being telegraph operator, Sec
| retary Pruden, who has been in charge
OF the White House having left his
ONCE for the day, as had his subordi-
mates. The telegraph operator, two
watchmen at the doors, the policeman
on guard outside and the faithful coll
ored servant. Uncle jerry" were the
only persons about the mansion.
Mr.. Adee. the acting head OF the
state department was caught at the
station as he was leaving for his coun-
try home near Laurel, Md, and return
cd at once TO the state department. He
waited FOR oficial confirmation OF the
news and It was not until he received
a copy OF the bulletin issued by the
physicians through Secretary Cortelyou
that he undertook to acQuaint officially
the governments of all the nations OF
the world with the facts of the shoot
ing. He then drew M message which
Will be sent 10 every United States
embassy. legation and consulate
throughout the civilized world, direct
ing them TO acquaint the governments
to which they we're accredited OF the
| facts. These he embodied in con.
A densation of the physicians bulletir
4 with Mr.. Cortelyou's statement
& Major Pruden, assistant secretary e
d the President, and Colonel Crooks. dis
Z bursting officer, both veterans OF thI
q White House force. arrived togethe
J. shortly after 5 o'clock and assume,
. charge of the executive mansion
d Major Pruden had passed through
a similar experience when President Gar
i field was shot and Colonel Crooks ser
r vice went back beyond the Lincoli
i assassination. He was in tears whel
n he said:
l. yes. il is the third AFFAIR of the kim
n since I came into the White House"