New-York tribune., 1901-09-07
HANNA STARTS FOR BUFFALO
COULD NOT CREDIT FIRST REPORT
OVERCOME BY GRIEF
GBY rELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUNE.I

Cleveland Sept. 6.-Senator NJ A Hanna,
when called upon by a reporter had not heard
anything of the report that President Mckinley
had been shot I'm Buffalo. When told the news
at the Union Club, he replied IL don't be-
lieve it,
ITS Associated Press bulletin" said the
reporter.
The Senator's face turned pale. THE Associ-
ated Press is the most trustworthy news agency
in the world" he replied. falteringly. The Sen
ators determination came back in a moment.
however. and. with almost fierceness, he re-
piled; II don't believe it; can't believe it, No.
won't believe ii. There's no use talking to me
about It, 1 cannot believe anything like that"
little later a telegram was handed to Sena-
tor Hanna. and then he said to the reporter: Il
have just received a message from The Asso-
eiated Press. and 1 am forced to believe that the
report is true. I cannot say anything about it.
1t is too horrible to even contemplate. to think
that such thing could happen to so splendid a
man as Mckinley, and at this time and upon
such an occasion. IL is horrible awful! Nc
Kinley never had any fear Of danger from that
source. OF course. never talked to him upon
such a subject but 1 know he never even
dreamed of anything like this happening. I
can't be interviewed upon this. 1t is too awful.
have sent telegram to friends in Buffalo,
and have asked them to reply Immediately. So
far have received no answer"
Shortly after o'clock Senator Hanna left
the Union Club and boarded streetcar for his
office in SuperiOr-st. When he reached the
street he stopped and surrounded by ex-
cited citizens who wanted 20 know If the rumor
were true that the President had been shot at
Buffalo. Yes. l afraid il is too true"
piled the Senator as he pushed his way through
the crowd. on the car the same questions were
asked by every one. The Senator answered all
questions politely but refused to enter into
conversation with any one. Most of the time
he sat with bowed head, deep in sorrow. To the
reporter who accompanied him he turned sud
denly in the car and exclaimed: What is this
great country coming to- when such men as
Lincoln, Garfield and Mckinley fall by the ouI-
let's of assassins? Oh. it is fearful! dreadful
hoTTible,'
At Superior and Bank SITS the Senator left
the EuClid-ave. car and walked to his office in
the Perry-Payne Building. Again he was sur
rounded by excited citizens who wanted 10
in his eyes, pushed through the crowd. answer
went directly TO his office and telephoned to his
home that his carriage might be waiting the
boulevard for him by the time he left the De
troit streetcar. Then he went Immediately 10
his home after leaving request that the Lake
Shore train east be held for him 80 o'clock
If he were a few minutes late. He said to the
reporter: Il shall hurry 20 the bedside OF the
President rapidly the train will take
/ only hope that he is not seriously injured but
afraid thac my hopes will be in vain. I
do want to reach the President before he dies
II he Is going to die. Nobody be safe from
the work of an insane man, IL seems. II is ter
ribIe." As the Senator boarded a car, tears
were streaming down his face.