The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-30
1ae Latter Also Is Said to Have At
tempted to Stab the Soldier
with Knife.
OFFICERS ARE VERY RETICENT
REFUSE TO DISCUSS THE NATTER.
But WILL REPORT.
Guard Immediately Doubled by the
Comma anding Omcer-A Conver-
sation Overheard.

CANTON, o., Sept. ga strange story
comes from Westlawn Cemetery tonight,
where a company of regulars from Fort
Wayne, Michigan, is guarding the vault in
which the body of the late President Nc
kinley lies. 1t is to the effect that the
guard on duty on top of the vault fired a
shot at one man who refused TO heed his
challenge, that the shot was diverted by
another man who appeared from another
direction and that an effort was made to
stab the guard. Military regulations pre-
vent either the officers the men of the
post from being quoted in any matter con-
nected with their service. and for this
reason Captain Biddle, who is in command,
was obliged to decline to be quoted at the
camp tonight He will make full report
to his superiors at once Reliable author-
ties made the following statement:
Private De Prend was on guard duty on
top of tho vault at point commanding the
entrance below and the approach from the
rear. Shortly before 7:30 he saw what he
took to be the face of man peering from
behind a tree about forty feet from his
post. He watched ii for twenty minutes. he
says, and about 7:45 he saw the man hurry
to tree ten feet nearer He challenged
the man to halt, but this was not needed.
and the fellow came nearer.
De Prend leveled his gun and aimed 10
shoot for effect, but just at that instant
another man, who came towards him from
the opposite side. caught the gum threw
it up. and the bullet was spent in the
air. This same man struck De Prend on
the right side of the abdomen with a knife
or other sharp weapon, cutting an 81
cash i'm his overcoat, an inch and a half
long each way, and a smaller one in his
blouse. The flesh not broken, but was
bruised under the cuts in the clothing.
De Prend. in the struggle, fell and rolled
down the side of the vault.
Lieutenant Ashbridge officer of the day,
was in front of the vault, and rushed to
the top on hearing the shot, but the men
made good their escape All members of
the company, on hearing the shot, hurried
to the vault. and besides searching the
cemetery the guard was increased.
De Prend is a recruit enlisted in New
York about four months ago. He is said to
be an excellent soldier and to have a fine
record with his officers He says the man
who attacked him was masked. but that
the first one he saw was not masked. He
says the latter carried a white package
tered in his left Since the incident stories
have been told in camp of some incendiary
conversations overheard in the crowds that
have visited the cemetery, including one
to-day, alleging that some stranger said:
Lots of people would like TO see this
whole thing blown up.
There are seventy soldiers at the ceme-
terry, twenty of whom are constantly on
guard duty about the vault and camp.
Stories regarding the incident, when
they reached the city, were connected with
the jail delivery that occurred about the
same time.
While there seems to be no doubt that
at least two prowlers attempted to reach
the vault, there is much difference of
opinion as TO the object of the intruders
who evidently made good their escape, as
the cemetery has been searched over in
vain.