The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-09-13
Details of the Crime.


Buffalo, Sept. 7-President McKin.
ley, the idol of the American people,
the nations chief executive and the
city's guest, lies prostrated, suffering
the pangs inflicted by the bullet of a
cowardly assassin, while his life hangs
in the balance. Out on Delaware
avenue, at the home of John G. Mil
burn, president of the Pan-American
exposition, with fearful face and heart
torn by conflicting hopes and fears,
sits the faithful wife, whose devotion
is known to all the nation.
1t was few moments after 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 motely throng of people, showered
with expressions of love and loyalty,
besieged by multitudes, eager to clasp
his hand-amid these surroundings
and with the ever recurring plaudits
of an army of sightseers 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.
A surging swaying, eager multi
tude throngs the city's main thorough
fares, choking the streets in front of
bo
ming the bulletins with anxious eyes
and groaning or cheering in turn at
each succeeding 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, is medium sized man Of
commonplace appearance, with his
fixed gaze directed to the floor, who
presses his lips firmly together and
listens with an air of assumed indif-
ference to the persistent stream of
questions, arguments, objurgations
and admonitions with which his cap
tors seek to induce or compel him
to talk.
1t was just after the daily organ re-
cital in the splendid Temple of Music
that the dastardly attempt was made.
Planned with all the diabolical in.
genuity and finesse of which anarchy
or nihilism are capable, the man had
carried out the work designed, and
only failed in his plans should the
president recover, and divine provi.
dence should grant that result.
Exposed to Attack.
The president, though guarded by
secret service detectives, was fully ex-
posed to such an attack as occurred.
He stood at the edge of the raised
dais on which stands the pipe organ
at the east end of the magnificent
structure.
Throngs of people crowded In at the
various entrances to gaze on their ex-
ecutive, perchance to clasp his hand,
and then fight their way out in the
good natured mob that every minute
swelled and multiplied at the points
Of ingress and egress to the building
The president was in a cheerful |
mood and was enjoying to the full |
the hearty evidence OF good will which |
everywhere met his gaze. On his |
right stood John c. Milburn of Buffalo, !
president of the Pan-American exposi- |
ton, chatting with the president and |
Introducing TO him especially persons |
OF note who approached.
Upon the presidents left stood Mr.. |
Cortelyou.
It was shortly after p, m when |
one of the throng which surrounded |
the presidential party, a medium sized |
man of ordinary appearance and plain. |
ly dressed IN black, approached as if |
20 greet the president. Both Secre- |
tary Cortelyou and President Milburn