Evening star., 1901-09-07


Stars distribution of the news all over the
city was most complete.
At the White House.
reporter carried to the White House
the first bulletin announcing the shooting
of the President. The Executive Man
sion was reached about 4:30 o'clock, and
az that time all it's few inmates were in
total ignorance Of the tragedy in which
their chief had just played so serious
part. policeman paced up and down
the portico as usual, but his serene counte-
nance indicated that he was totally igno-
rant Of the affair. Inside there were few
to receive the news, the most prominent
parsonage there being telegraph operator
Assistant Secretary Pruden who has been
In charge of the White House. having LETT
his Office for the day, as had his subor-
dinates. The telegraph operator, two
watchmen at the doors. the policeman on
guard outside and the faithful colored SER
about the mansion. They recalled with
great satisfaction the fact that when the
President left Washington he was In most
robust health and excellent spirits, and
that he bade all an affectionate farewell.
1t was recalled also that Mrs. Mckinley at
that time practically had recovered her
wonted health, and they said this clrcum-
stance had much to do with the Presidents
own condition. When he left here he was
accompanied by Mrs. Mckinley. Secretary
Ccrtelyou, DIR. Rixey and Mrs. McKinieys
nurse. The force at the White House has
been in constant communication with the
President since his departure, and while
he has conducted most of the business OF
his Office at his home in Canton the major
ity of the papers with which he has had
to deal have been prepared in washington
and forwarded through the White House
clerical force
Major Pruden assistant secretary to the
President, and Colonel Crooks, disbursing
officer both veterans Of the White House
tho~ otpn n
o'clock and assumed charge of the Execu-
tive Mansion. Major Pruden had passed
through similar experience when fresi.
dent Garfield was shot, and Colonei CROOKS
service went back beyond the Lincoln as
sassination. He was in tears When ne
said: Eyes, it is the third affair of the
Kind since / came into the White House.
Such public men as were In the CITY
called during the evening. They Included
Assistant Secretary Spaulding OF the Treas
ury Department. Assistant Secretary Hack
ett of the Navy Department. former United
States Senator H. W. Blair, Controller Dawes
and Register Lyons of the treasury, Cap
tain Tonner assistant commissioner or In
dian affairs and the private secretaries OF
Secretary Hitchcock and Senators Hanna
and Quay. There were also representa-
tives of several foreign legations
No official confirmation OF the shooting
came to the White House for three hours
after it's occurrence, when Col. MontSom-
cry, the chief operator at the Wnise iIouse.
was informed at 7:20 o'clock by Secretary
Cortelyou at Buffalo that a surgical opera
tion upon the President was In progress,
and that $50 far everything was faVor-
able" Later he gave information OF the
completion of the operation and followed
that statement with other messages CIV
ing private information as to the Presf-
dents condition and his removal to Mr..
Milburn's residence.
In the Departments.
The work Of the Official day was done
when the news Of the great calamity ar
rived here and the great executive de-
partments had generally emptied them
selves of their employees. Chief Clerk
was absent with the visiting diplo-
mats at Buffalo. In the Navy De-
partment Mr.. Hackett. the acting secre-
tary, who had also left the building, was
acting head of the navigation bureau. end
he Immediately put himself in readiness to
take any official action that might be
necessary to meet the emergency. AT Buf-
falo In the exposition GROUNDS the navy
had splendid representation in the shape
Of the marine battalion under Capt. Leon
ard, and this force was ready to be made
Immediately available If 1t had been de-
cided by the persons about the President
that a guard was necessary near hts per-
son.
At the War Department Gen. Gillespie.
chief of engineers Of the army, was acting
who is i'll at his summer home in South
ampton, L. l., and Assistant Secretary
Sanger. who is away on leave. He also
had left the building, but he had not been
and he hastily returned to his desk. He
immediately sent messages to the Secretary
Of War and to Gen. Brooke, commanding
the Department Of the East, giving such
order to apprise them Of the main facts as
they were known to him through the press
dispatches, for official advices were sim
gularly slow in reaching those officials in
Washington who should be officially In
formed He also telegraphed to Major
Simonds the engineer officer stationed at
Buffalo. asking him to report the facts at
the earliest possible moment Conferences
were held between Acting Secretary Hack
EFT and Gen. Gillespie in reference to any
joint steps which the army and navy might
be called upon to take.
Both Of these officials, Gen. Gillespie and
Mr.. Hackett, were completely overwhelmed
by the sad news, but they maintained their
composure and were fully prepared to meet
any call upon them. They Immediately dis
patched messages of inquiry to Buffalo and
as a matter Of form they sent their respec-
tive secretaries word Of the shooting of the
President in order that they might have
the benefit of any direction either Secretary
Root or Secretary Long was prepared to
offer.
Orders From War Department.
In ADDITION 10 tHe marines representing
the navy the United States army is well
represented at Buffalo and at nearby Fort
Niagara, and with the troops thus at his
disposal Gen. Gillespie said he was fully
prepared to meet any call that might be
made upon him. Gen. Gillespie finally got
into communication with Secretary Root
and Assistant Secretary Sanger, and as a
result OF the telephone talk he proceeded
to use some of the forces at his disposal.
He telegraphed an order to Fort Porter
N. Y, to have an officer, a physician and
a squad Of men proceed Immediately to
the hospital where the President was living
to act as guard.
Steps were next taken to provide for the
future of the executive branch of the gov
ernment. 1t was realized that even under
the most favorable conditions the Presi-
dents injuries were of such a Character
as to make 1t almost certain that he could
not undertake for long time to discharges
the duties of chief executive, even in the
most formal way. Every member of the
cabinet able to travel is expected to speed
at once to Buffalo, and there a cabinet
council will be held to decide upon the
course to be followed by the executiye
branch. Vice President Roosevelt ia hold
ing himself in readiness to do whatever 10
necessary and to meet the obligations i'm