Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-09-14
WASHINGTON DAzED
BY the AWFUL NEWS
National Capital Stunned by the
Terrible Tidings Frsm
Buffalo.
CABINET TO 60 TO BUFFALO
Every Member Able to Travel VIII at
Once Proceed to tho sccne-Mcs-
sages TO the Other Nations
on the Tragedy.

which reached Washington first
through the medium Of the Associated
Press late yesterday afternoon, caused
a tremendous sensation. So frequent
have been rumors Of this sort, often
put afioat in recent years for stock
jobbing purposes, that the general dis
position at first was to withhold ac-
ceptance Of the story. But when 1t was
confirmed a feeling Of deep gloom and
profound sorrow spread w the city,
for Mr.. McKinley's delightful person
ality had endeared him to the citizens
of Washington, apart from the official
class. in a degree that rarely has been
equaled.
1t was some time before the full force
Of the blow was appreciated; the people
were stunned and they could not re-
spond at once and fully comprehend
the disaster that had fallen upon the
country n themselves. Then the
newspapers began to appear; the car
riers rushed madly through the streets
and crowds OF people began to gather
from all quarters OF the city around
the newspaper bulletin boards.
The telephone system of the city was
simply paralyZed for a time and so
many were the calls upon the news
offices and upon the officials who might
be supposed TO have knowledge OF the
details OF the shooting that the oper-
ators were overwhelmed.
The First Bulietin.
A reporter for the Associated Press
carried TO the white house the first bull
letin announcing the shooting OF the
president. The executive mansion was
reached about 4:25 o'clock n at that
time all It's few inmates were In total
Ignorance of the ragedy In which their
chief had just played so serious a part.
A policeman paced up and down under
the portico, but his serene co~untenance
indicated hat he was totally ignorant
OF the affair. inside, there were few 10
receive the news, the most prominent
parsonage there being a telegraph OPP
orator. Assistant Secretary Pruden,
who has been in charge OF the white
house, having left his office for the day.
The telegraph operator, two watch
men at the door. the policeman on
guard outside and the faithful colored
| servant, Uncle Jerry" were the only
persons about the mansion.
They recalled with great satisfac-
ton that when the president left WASH
ington he was in most robust health
and excellent spirits and that he babe
all an affectionate farewell. 1t was re-
| called also that Mrs. Mckinley said
| his circumstance had much to do with
| the presidents own condition later Del.
When he left there he was accompa-
MED by Mrs. Mckinley, Secretary Cor
telyou, DIR. Rixey and Mrs. Mckinney 3
nurse.
The force at the white house since
the presidents departure has been IN
constant communication with him, ana
while he has conducted most OF the
business Of his office at his home in
Canton, the majority Of the papers with
| which he has had to deal have been
| prepared In Washington and forward
ed through the white house clerical
force. All reports received from him
by officials here were cheerful ana hlgh
spirited.
Departments We're Nearly Empty
The work of the official day was done
when the news Of the calamity arrived
here, and the great executive depart
ments had generally emptied them
selves OF their human workmen and
few officials were to be found at their
desks. Mr.. Adee, the acting head OF the
department Of state, a quilted the
city for his summer home some miles
distant from Laurel, Md, and the
chief of the department was absent
with visiting diplomats at Buffalo. IN
the navy department Mr.. Hackett, the
acting secretary, who had also qultted
the building, was speedily recalled by
Captain Cowes, the acting mead or the
navigation bureau, and he Immediately
nut himself in readiness to take any
| official action that might be necessary
TO meet the emergency. At Buffalo In
the exposition grounds the navy had a
splendid representation In the shape OF
the marine battalion under Captain
Leonard, and this force will be made
Immediately available If 1t Is desired by
persons about the president that a
guard Is necessary near his person.
Mr.. Adee, the acting head OF the state
department, vas caught at the station
as he was leaving for his country
home near Laurel, Nd, n returned
Mt once to the state department. He
waited for official confirmation OF the
news. and It was not until he received
a copy of the bulletin issued by the
physicians through Secretary Cortelyou
| hat he undertook to acQuaint off1clally
the governments Of all the world WIFI
the facts of the shooting. lie tner
drew up a message which VIII be SEM
10 every United States embassy, lega-
ton and consulate throughout the CIV
uized world, directing them TO acquaint
the governments to which they are ac-
credited of the facts. These are en-
bodied In a condensation Of the ply
| sicians' bulletin with Mr.. C~ortelyou's
statement.
Messages Sent Quickly.
At the war department General Gil.
lespie, head OF the engineers OF the
army, was acting secretary in the alb.
sence OF Secretary Root, who is i'll al
| his summer home in Southampton, L
l., and Assistant Secretary Sanger, who
is away on leave. He also had quilted
- l,,N IA nod not hnnn o1nx
half an hour before word reached him
and he hastily returned to his desk. He
Immediately sent messages to the Sec
rotary Of war and TO General Brook
commanding the department of the
east, giving such unofficial information
as was available. in order TO ap
prise them Of the facts as they
were known to him through
the press dispatches, for oficia
advices were s~ingularly slow In
reaching those officials in Wash.
ington who should be officially in.
formed. He also ~telegraphed to Major
Simonds, the engineer officer stationed a
Buffalo, asking him to report the facts
Mt the earliest possible moment Con
ferences were held between Acting Sec
rotary Hackett and General Gillespie II
reference to any joint steps which the
army and navy might be called upon tC
take.
Both of the officials, General Gillespie
and Mr.. Hackett. were completely over
whelmed by the sad news, but they main
tanned their composure and were fully
prepared to meet any call upon them
They dispatched Immediately messages
of inquiry to Buffalo, and each as a mat
ter Of form sent their respective secre
taries word of the shooting of the presi
dent, in order that they might have tn
benefit of any direction either Secretar!
Root or Secretary Long were prepared u
offer.
General Gillespie finally got Int
communication with Secretary Zoe
and Assistant Secretary Sanger, ant
as q result of the telephone talk n
proceeded to use some of h forces a
his disposal. He teleRraphed an orde.