Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-09-12
II wbs shortly after 70

his way amid the stream OF people
up TO the edge of the dais until he
was within two feet OF the president.
President Mckinley smiled, bowed
and extended his hand in that spirit
OF Reniality the American people so
well know, when suddenly the sharp
crack OF revolver rang out lond and
clear above the hum of voices. the
shutting of myriad feet and vibrating
waves OF applause that ever aud anon
swept here aud there over the as
scmbinge.
There was an instant OF almost com,
plcte silence. The president stood
stock still, look Of hesitancy, almost
OF bewilderment on his face. Then he
rctrcated step while pallor began
TO steal over his features. The null
titude, only partially aware that
something serious had happened,
paused in surprise. while necks were
craned and all eyes turned as one
TO the rostrum where n great tragedy
was being enacted.
Then came a commotion. With the
leap OF tigers three men threw them
selves forward. as with one impulse
and sprang toward the would-be as
snssin. Two OF them were United
States secret service men who were
on the lookout and whose duty IL was
TO guard against just such a calamity
as had here bcfallen the president
aud the nation. The third was a by
standcr, a negro, who had only an in
slant previously grasped- in his dusky
palm the hand OF the president. As
one man the trio hurled themselves
uPon the presidents assailant. Ia "A
twinkliug lac was borne TO the ground.
his weapon was wrcsted from his
grasp and strong arms pinioncd him
| down.
Then the multitude which thronged
/ the cdifice began to came TO a real
/ ling sense Of the awfulness OF the
scene Of which they had been un-
willing witnesses.
4 murmur arose. spread and swellcd
TO hum Of confusion, then grew TO
n babel Of sounds. and later 10 a pan
demunium OF noises.
The crowds that moment before
had stood mute and motionless. as IN
bcwildcrcd ignorance OF the enornity
| OF the thing. now. with "A single inn
/ pulse surgcd forward toward the
stage OF the horrid drama, while n
/ hoarse cry wellcd up from "A thousand
| throats and a thousand men charged
forward 20 lay hands upon the perpc-
/ traitor OF the dastardly crime.
For n moment the confusion was
terrible. The crowd surged forward
regardless of consequences. Men
| shouted and fought. women screamed
and children Grief. Some Of those
nearest the doors fed from the edifice
In fear Of stampede, while hun
dreds OF others from the outside
struggled blindly forward In the et-
! fort TO penetrate the crowded build
| ing and solve the mystery of excite
ment aud panic which every moment
| grew and swclled within the longest
ed interior OF the cdihce.
Inside on the slightly raised dais
was enacted within those few feverish
moments. a tragedy so dramatic in
character, so thrilling In its Intensity
| that few who looked on will ever be
| able to give a succinct account of
what really did transpire. Even those
who attended the president came out
OF Il with blanched faces, trembling
| -. ftstr hna "a
brains throbbed with a tumult of con-
ficting emotions which could not be
clarified into lucid narrative of the
events as they really transpired.
OF the multitude which witnessed or
bore part in the scene OF turmoil
there was but one mind which seemed
TO retain it's equilibrium, one hand
which remained steady. one eye which
gazed with unHinching calmness and
one voice which retained its even
tenor and faltered not at the most
critical juutturc.
They were the mind and hand and
eve and the voice Of PresideDt Nc
kinlcy.
After the FIRST shock OF the assas-
sins shot he reiterated step, then,
as the detectives lcaped upon his as
sailant, he turned, walked steadily TO
a chair and seated himself, at the
same time removing his hat and bow
ing his head in his hands.
In an instant Secretary Cortelyou
and President Milburn were at his
side. His waistcoat was hurriedly
opened, the president meanwhile adj
monishing those about him to remain
calm and telling them not to be
alarmed.
"But YOU are wounded" cried his
secretary, "let me examine"
mo, | think not" answered the
president. II am not badly hurt,
assure you"
Nevertheless his outer garments
were hastily loosened and when a
tricLling stream of crimson was seen
90 wind its way down his breast,
spreading its tell-tale stain over the
white surface of the linen, their worst
fears were confirmed.
A force of exposition guards were
| an the scene and an effort was made