The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-09-11
PRESIDENT M'kINLBY
SHOT.

while holding q reception in the
Temple of Music at the Pan-Ameri-
can Exposition few minutes after 4
o'clock this afternoon One shot took
effect in the right breast; the other
in the abdomen. The first is not of
a seriess5s nature, and the bullet has
been extracted. The latter pierced
the abdominal wall, and has not been
located.
1t was shortly after 4 p. M, when
one of the tbrong which surrounded
the Presidential party, medium
sized man of ordinary appearance and
plainly dressed in black, approached
as if to greet the President. Both
Private Secretary Cartelyou and
President Milburp, of the Exposition,
noticed that the mans band was
swathed in a bandage of handker-
chief. Reports of bystanders differ
as to his hand. He worked his way
amid the stream of people up the
edge of the disc until he was within
two feet of the President.
Mr.. Mckinley smiled, bowed and
extended his hand in that spirit of
geniality the American people so we'll
know, when suddenly the sharp crack
of a revolver rang out loud and clear
above the hum of voices, shufiing of
myriad feet and vibrating waves of
applause that ever and anon swept
here and there over the assemblsge.
There was an instant of almost
complete silence. The President
stood stock still, look of hesitancy,
almost of bewilderment, on his face.
Then he retreated a step while pal
lor began to steal over his features.
The multitude, only partially aware
that something serious had happened,
paused in surprise, while necks we're
craned and all eyes turned as one to-
ward the rostum, where great trag-
edy was being enacted.
After the first shock of the assas-
sins shots, he retreated step then
as 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 in his hands.
In an instant Secretary Cortelyou
and President Milburn were at his
side. His coat was hurriedly opened,
the President meanwhile admonish-
ing those about him to remain calm
and telling them not to be alarmed.
"But you are wounded" cried his
Secretary, "let me examiner
mo, I think not" answered the
President. Il am not badly hurt, I
assure you"
Nevertheless his outer garments
were hastily loosened and when a
trickling stream of crimson was seen
to wind its way down bis breast.
spreading it's tell tale stain over the
white surface of the linen their worst
fears were confirmed.
As soon as the crowd in the Temple
Of Music had been dispersed suf.
fciently the President was removed
in the automobile ambulance and
taken to the exposition hospital.
where an examination was made
The best medical skill was summoned
and within brief period several Of
Bufalo's best known practitioners
were at the patients side.
EXAMINE THE WOUNDS.
The President retained the full ex
ercise of his faculties until placed or
the operating table and subjected te
an anaesthctic. Upon the first ex
animation it was ascertained that
one bullet had taken effect in the
right breast just below the nipple
causing a comparatively harmless
wound. The other took effect in the
abdomen, about four inches below
the left nipple, four inches to tho
left of the navel and about on a le7e
with it.
THE ASSASSIN.
Then came a commotion. With
the leap of a tiger three men threw
themselves forward as with one I'M
pulse and sprapg toward the would
be assassin. Two of them were
United States secret service men Wh'
were on the lookout and whose dut.
it was to guard against just such I
calamity as had here befallen IT,
President and the nation. The thlr(
was bystander, a negro who ha'
only an instant previously graspe'
in his dusky palm the hand OF tn
| President. As one man the trl