Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-09-12

president Mckinley smiled, bowed
and extended his hand in that spirit
Of gcniality the American people so
well know, when suddenly the sharp
crack OF "A revolver rang out lond and
clear above the hum of voices. the
| shutting of myriad feet and vibrating
waves Of applause that ever and anon
swept here and there over the as
scmblage.
There wns an instant OF almost com,
plcte silence. The president stood
stock still, a look OF hestancy, almost
OF bewilderment on his face. Then he
rctreated a step while a pnllor began
10 steal over his features. The null
| ttudc, 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 a great tragedy
was being enacted.
Then came commotion. With the
leap OF tigers three men threw them
selves forward, as with one impulse
and sprang toward the would-be as
i
States secret service men who were
/ on the lookout and whose duty IL was
10 guard against just such calamity
as bad here befallcn the president
aud the nation. The third was q by
/ Islander, "a negro. who had only an in
slant previously graspcd in his dusky
| palm the hand ot the president. As
| one man the trio hurled themselves
upon The presidents assailant. Ia
/ twinkliug he was borne 10 the ground.
/ his weapon was wrested from his
| grasp aud strong arms pinioncd him
| down.
Then the multitude which throngcd
I the cditcc began To came 10 real
| izinr sense OF the awfulncss OF the
scene ~ which they had been un-
I willing witnesses.
\ murmur arose. spread and swellcd
/ 90 a hum OF confusion. then grew to
a babel OF sounds. and later 10 a pam
dcmonium Of noises.
Tho crowds that moment before
| had stood mute and motionlcss. ~ IN
/ bcwildcrcd ignorance OF the enormity
l OF the thing, now. with "a single Inn
! pulse surgcd forward toward the
stage OF the horrid drama, while a
hoarse cry wclled up from thousand
/ throats aud "A thousand men charged
forward 20 lay hands upon the perpc-
traitor OF the dastardly crime.
For a moment the confusion was
terrible. The crowd surgcd forward
regardless OF consequences. Men
shouted and fought. women screamed
and children Grief Some OF those
nearest the doors fed from the cdfice
In fear OF a stampede, while hun
drcds OF others from the outside
struggled blindly forward In the ef-
fort 10 penetrate the crowded build
ing aSd solve the mystery Of excite
mcnt aud panic which every moment
grew and swelled within the congest-
ed interior Of the cdifce.
Inside on the slightly raised dais
was enacted within those few feverish
moments. a tragedy 40 dramatic In
character. 30 thrilling in it's intensity
that few who looked on will sycr be
I
what really did transpire. Even those
who attended the president came out
OF Il with blanched faces, trembling
limbs and beating hearts, while their
brains throbbcd with "A tumult OF con-
flicting emotions which could not be
clarified into lucid narrative OF the
events as they really transpired.
OF the multitude which witnessed or
bore a part in the scene OF turmoil
there was but one mind which seemed
TO retain its equilibrium, one hand
which remained steady, one eye which
gazed with unhiuching calmncss and
one voice which retained it's even
tenor and faltcrcd not at the most
critical juncture.
They we're the mind and hand and
eve and the voice OF President Nc
Kinlcy.
After the first shock OF the assls-
sins shot he reiterated a step, then,
os the detectives leaped 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 Ia his hands.
In an instant Secretary Cortelyou
and President Milburn were at his
side. His waistcoat was hurriedly
opened. the president meanwhile ad-
monishing those about him to remain
calm aud telling them not to be
alarmed.
But you are wounded" cried his
secretary, "let me examine"
mo, | think not answered the
president. 81 am not badly hurt, l
assure you"
Nevertheless his outer garments
were hastily loosened and when n
tricLling stream of crimson was seen
20 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
on the scene and an effort was made
90 clear the building. by this time
the crush was terrific. Spectators
.,.l 1,,,, tha stairXyaVS from the