Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-09-12
II wAs .hortly aft.r four O'CLOCK,


was within two feet of the president.
President Mckinley smiled, bowed
and extended his hand in that spirit
of geniality 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
shuilling of myriad feet and vibrating
waves OF applause that ever and anon
swept here aud there over the as
scmblage.
There was an instant OF almost com,
plete silence. The president stood
stock still, "A look OF hesitancy. almost
OF bcwilderment on his face. Then he
rctrented a step while n pallor began
20 steal over his features. The null
titude, only partially aware that
something serious had happened,
paused In surprise. while necks were
craned aud all eyes turned as one
10 the rostrum where a great tragedy
was being enacted.
Then came a commotion. With the
leap of tigers three men threw them
and sprang toward the would-be as
sassin. Two OF them were United
States secret service men who were
on the lookout and whose duty Il was
10 guard against just such calamity
as had here bcfallen the president
and the nation. The third was by
standcr. a negro, who had only an in
slant previously grasped In his dusky
palm the hand OF the president. As
one man the trio hurled themselves
upon the presidents aSsailant. Ia "a
twinkling he was borne 10 the ground,
his weapon was wrcsted from his
grasp and strong arms pinioned him
down.
Then the multitude which thronged
the cdihce began TO came TO a real
ling sense OF the awfulness OF the
scene Of which they had been un-
willing witnesses.
\ murmur arose. spread and swellcd
TO hum OF confusion. then grew TO
n babel OF SOUNDS. and later to pan
demonium OF noises.
The crowds that a moment before
bad stood mute aud motionless, as n
bcwildcred ignorance Of the enormiiy
OF the thing. now, with single inn
pulse surgcd forward toward the
stage OF the horrid drama, while "A
hoarse cry wcllcd up from thousand
throats and thousand men charged
forward 20 lay hands upon the perpc-
traitor Of the dastardly crime.
For 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 ediiice
in fear Of a stampede, while hum
dreds OF others from the outside
struggled blindly forward in the eff
fort 10 penetrate the crowded build
ing and solve the mystery OF excite
mcnt aud panic which every moment
grew and swclled within the longest
ed interior of the edifice.
Inside on the slightly raised dais
was enacted within those few feverish
moments, tragedy so dramatic In
character. so thrilling in its intensity
that few who looked on will ,Ncr be
able TO give succinct account OF
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 throbbed with a tumult OF con-
flicting emotions which could not be
clarified into n 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 It's equilibrium, one hand
which remained steady, one eye which
gazed with unfinching calmness and
one voice which retained its even
tenor and faltercd not at the most
critical juncture.
They were the mind and hand and
eve and the voice Of President Nc
Kinley.
After the frst shock of the assas-
sins shot he rctreated a step, then,
as the detectives leaped upon his as
snilant, he turned. walked steadily to
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 waistcoat was hurriedly
opened, the president meanwhile ad-
monishing those about him to remain
calm and telling them not to be
alarmed.
But YOU are wounded" cried his
secretary, "let me examine
mo, l think not" answered the
president. 81 am not badly hurt
assure you"
Nevertheless his outer garments
were hastily loosened and when
tricl,ling stream OF crimson was seen
20 wind it's 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 we're
on the scene and an effort was made