Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-09-12

was shot and seriously wounded by a
would-be assassin while holding recep-
ton in the Temple of Music at the Pan
American exposition a few minutes after
4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon. One shot
took effect in the right breast, the other
rious nature and the bullet has been eX-
tracted. The latter pierced the abdominal
wall and has not yet been located. AT
$50 a. m. the following bulletin by the
attending physicians was the only intii-
cation of the condition of the president s
wounds:
The president passed a good night and
is resting comfortably this morning; tenn
perature 1904 degrees, pulse 124, respira-
ton 24.''
1t was few minutes after p. M,
while President Mckinley was holding a
public reception in the great Temple OF
Music on the Pan-American grounds,
that the dastardly attempt was made,
with what success time alone can tell.
Planned with all the diabolical ingenuity
and finesse of which anarchy or nihilism
out the work without a hitch, and should
his designs fail and the president survive,
only to divine providence can be attrib-
uted that benefcent result.
The president, thought we'll guarded by
United States secret service detectives,
was fully exposed to such an attack as
occurred. He stood at the edge of the
raised dais upon which stands the great
pipe organ, at the east side of the mag
nificent structure. Throngs of people
crowded in at the various entrances to
gaze upon their executive, 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 inSress
and egress to the building.
The president was in cheerful mood
and was enjoying to the full the hearty
evidences of good will which everywhere
met his gaze. Upon his right stood John
G. Milburn of Buffalo, president Of the
Pan-American exposition, chatting with
the president and introducing to him es-
pecially persons of note who approached.
Upon the presidents left stood Mr.. Cor
telyou!
of the throng which surrounded the presi-
Dental party, medium-sized man of
ordinary appearance and plainly dressed
In black, approached as if to greet the
president. Both Secretary Cortelyou and
President Mlburn noticed that the mans
hand was swathed in bandage or hand
kerchief. Reports of bystanders differ as
to which hand. He worked his way amid
the stream Of people up to the edge of the
dais, until he was within two feet of the
president. President 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, the shut
fling of a myriad feet and vibrating waves
of applause that ever and anon swept
here and there over the assemblage.
There was an instant of almost COM
plete silence. The president stood stock
still. look of hesitancy, almost of be-
wilderment, on his face. Then he
Retreated a Step
While a pallor began to steal over hi.
features. The multitude, only partially
aware that something serious had hap.
pened, paused in surprise, while necks
were craned, and all eyes turned to the
rostrum where great tragedy was being
enacted.
Then came a commotion. With the lear
or a tiger three men threw themselves
forward as with one impulse and sprane
toward the wouldbe assassin. Two OF
them were United States secret service
men. who were on the lookout and whose
duty it was to guar2 against just such q
calamity as had befallen the president
and the nation. The third was a by.
stander, negro, who had only an in.
slant previously grasped in his dusky
hand the hand of the president. AS ono
man the trio hurled themselves upon the
presidents assailant. In twinkling hi
was borne to the ground his weapon was
wrested from his grasp and strong arms
pinloned him down.
Then the multitude which thronged the
edifice began to come to a realizing sense
of the awfulness OF the scene of whic!
they had been unwilling witnesses.
murmur arose, spread and swelled to &
hum of confusion, then grew to a babe
of sounds. and later to a pandemonium o.
noises. The crowds that moment be.
fore had stood mute and motionless a.
in bcwildered ignorance of the enormit,
OF the thing, now with a single impulse
surged forward toward the stage of tn,
horrid drama, while n hoarse cry welet
UP from a thousand throats and thou
sand men charged forward to lay hand.
upon the perpetrator of
The DnnturdIy Crime.
For II moment the confusion was ter
riblc. Tho crowd surged forward regard
less OF consequences. Men shouted ant
fought. women screamed and children
cried, Some OF those nearest tho door
Aed from the edifce In fear OF STAN