The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-10

Buffalo, y. Y. September 6.-Just a
brief twenty-four hours ago the news
papers of the city blazoned forth in all
the pomp of headline type: THE Proud
est Day in Buffalo's History
Tonight in sombre type, surrounded
by grewsome borders OF black, the same
newspapers are telling in funereal tones
to a Mortified populace the dep1orab1e
details of the blacklist day in the his
tory of Buffalo
President Mckinley, the idol of the
American people. the nations chief ex-
ecutive and the city,s honored guest.
lfe4 PROSTATE, suffering the pangs in
flicted by the bullets OF a coWardly as
sassin, while his life hangs in the bal
ance.
Out on Delaware avenue. at the home
of John G.. Milburn, president of the
Pan-AmeriCan expedition. with fearful
face and heart torn by conflicting hopes
and fears. sits the faithful wife, whose
devotion is known to ali the nation.
1t was a few minutes after o'clock
p. m, while President Mckinley was
holding a public reception in the great
Temple of Music on the Pan-American
grounds that the cowardly attack was
made, with what success time alone can
tell.
Standing in the midst of crowds
numbering thousands. surrounded by
every evidence OF good will. pressed by
a motley throng of people. showered
with expressions of love and loyalty,
besieged by multitudes all eager to
clasp his hand, amid these surroundings
and with the ever-recurring plaudits of
an army of sight-seers ringing in his
ears, the blow of the assassin fell and in
an instant pleasure gave way to pain.
admiration TO agony. folly turned to
fury and pandemonium followed.
Tonight a surging, swaying, eager
multitude thrOngS the City'S main thor
oughfares, choking the streets in front
of the principal newspapers, scanning
the bulletins with anxious eyes and
groaning or cheering in turn each sue
ceeding announcement as the nature of
the message sinks or buOyS their hopes.
Down at police headquarters sur
rounded by Stern-faced inquisitorS of
the law. sits medium sized man of
commonplace appearance with his
fixed gaze directed on the floor, who
presses his lips firmly together and lis
tens with an air of assumed indiffer-
ence to the persistent stream of QueS-
tions, arguments. objurgations and adj
monitions with which his captors seek
to induce or compel him to talk.
The daily organ recital in the splen-
did Temple of Music witnessed the das-
tardly attempt.
Planned with the diabolical ingenui-
ty and finesse of which anarchy or nj
hilism is capable. the would be assas-
sin carried cut the work without a
hitch, and sk<uld his design fail and
the president survive only to Divine
Providence can be attributed that be-
neficent resNt.
The president, though well guarded
by United States secret service detec-
tives, was fully exposed to such an at
tack as occurred He stood at the edge
of the raised daiS upon which stands
the great pipe organ at the east side
of the magnificent structure. ThrongS
of people crowded in, to gaze upon
their executive, per chance to clasp his
hand, and then fight their way out in
the good-natured mob that every min
ute swelled and multiplied at the points
of ingress and egress to the building.
The president was in a cheerful mooo
and was enjoying to the full the hearty
evidences of good will which every
where met his gaze. Upon his right |
stood John G. Milburn. OF Bunalo' |
president of the Pan-American expo
sition. chatting with the president and
to him especially persons
of note who approached. Upon the
presidents left stood Mr.. Cortelyou.
THE CRIME.
1t was shortly after 4 o'clock when |
one of the throng which surrounded the /
presidential party, medium sized man
of ordinary appearance and plainly /
dressed in black. approached as if to /
greet the president. Both Secretary
ana President Milburn no
tieed that the mans hand was swathed |
in a bandage CT handkerchief.
Reports Of by-standerS diner as 20
his hand. He worked his way amid
the stream of people up to the edge or
the dais until he was. within two feet
Of the president.
Mr.. Mckinley smiled, bowed and ex-
tended hand in that spirit Of genlallty