Warren sheaf., 1901-09-12
FROM WASHINGTON.
An Interesting Letter From the Ma
tiOn's Capital.

An Interesting Letter From the Ma
~ tiOn's Capital.
This city, as we'll as our whole coun-
try last week were plunged into the
deepest and saddest grief that has
come to us since the assassination of
Garfield, when the dreadful and heart
rendingnews OF an attempt to assas-
sinate President Mckinley came.
That President Mckinley, a man
supremely dear to US all, and beloved
by all the world, whose life is at once
an emblem OF purity and coujugal
devotion and whose character is un-
sullied as statesman and as private
citizen, should be the object OF an as
sassin's aim is extremely difficult to
realize.
Crowds and individuals surged
hither and thither drinking every
bit OF news that came from the
Presidents bedside. Anger and
shame we're blindly confused in the
minds OF most-anger aroused by
the crime, and shame by the humili-
ating knowledge that during all
these years ofprogressive statesman
ship we have leisurely confounded
liberty with license, to admit the
dregs OF European society in our
midst to fatten and prosper at the
expense OF our free institutions.
It is hardly necessary to describe
the bloody deed in detail. By the
time this is read the world will have
told and retold the story of this helm
GUS crime.
At the White House the mourning
was intense, although there were very
few persons on duty when the news
arrived. Major Pruden, assistan
secretary to the President, and Col.
Crooks, disbursing officer, arrived
soon after 5 o'clock p. m., and as
sumed charge of the executive man.
sion. Major Pruden had passed
through similar experience when
Garfield was assassinated, while Col.
Crooks connection with the White
House extends beyond Lincoln's
tragic death. When he heard of the
news he failed to control his emotions,
tears rippling down his venerable
cheeks, when he said: eyes, it is
the third affair of the kind since I
came to the White House,
Most of the officials of prominence
were out Of the city when we learned
of the great calamity. But not much
time was consumed before the wheels
of government were in perfect run
ming order.
The acting Secretary Of State, Mr..
Adee, was about to leave the city, but
hurriedly returned when the news
came, and as soon as the official con-
frmation was received from Secretary
Cortelyou Of the awful tragedy he at
once drew up a message to acquaint
officially the governments of all the
nations of the shooting.
It was with some degree of graft
~fcation that the officials here received
the very first expressions of sympathy
from the island of Cuba. Later, 9TH
ers expressing the same sentiments
have come in one continuous stream
from all the governments, from am
bassadors and citizens of every grade
and profession throughout the world.
As I have already indicated, Wash
ington is one quivering place of ex-
element. And when the words were
received that ''the President has been
shot," people were amazed, dumb
founded. Amazement developed into
CONSERVATION. Every one was
alarmed, Mortified. Pennsylvania
avenue, the main thoroughfare of the
city, presented only seething, surg
ing mass of humanity, each endeav-
oring to tell the other what it all was
about. "What's the matter?" in
quired one woman with a child in her
arm. ''The President is dead,"
answered a galloping messenger boy.
"What?" cried several in chorus.
Others came and showed them on
further into the mass of people.
,"What's the matter?' all cried.
'The President is shot, els he
dead?' asked one. EYES," said the
woman with the child clutching
lightly to it's mothers neck. "No,"
screamed man, che was shot twice