The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-09-12

the Sonata in by Bach, low at first
and swelling gradually TO more ma
iestic proportions until the whole
auditorium was filled with the melO
dious tones OF the big pipe organ.
The crowd had been pouring
through hardly more than FIVE min
utcs When the organist brought from
his powerful instrument its most
roaring notes. drowning even the
scuhle OF feet Equally half OF the
people passing the president were
rnmea and children. To every child
the president bent over, shook hands
warmly and said some kind words so
as To make the young heart glad.
As each person passed he was view
ed critically by the secret service men.
Their hands were watched, their
faces and actions noted.
Far down the line a man of unusu-
al aspect TO some. appeared, taking
his turn in the line He was short,
heavy. dark. and beneath a heavy
dark mustache was ii pair OF straight
bloodless lips. Under the black brOws
CLEANED a pair of glittering black
eyes.
He was marked at once as a sus-
piciOus person, and when he reached
Foster. the secret service man, held
his hand on him until he had reached
the president and had clasped his
hand. Ireland was equally alert,
and the slightest move on the part
of this man, who is now supposed to
have been an accomplice, and for
whom a search is being made, would
have been checked by the officers.
Immediately following this man
was the assassin. He was rather a
tall, boyish-looking fellow, apparent
ly % years old, and of German.
American extraction. His smooth
rather pointed face would not indi
cate his purpose to slay the nation :
executive.
The secret service men noted that
about his right hand was wrapped q
handkerchief, and, as he carried the
hand uplifted, as though supported
by a sling under his coat, the Officers
believed that his hand was injured
and especially as he extended his left
hand across the right, SO as to shake
hands with the president.
1t was noticed that the Italian
who was in front OF the assassin, helC
back, apparently to shield the young
man, so that it was necessary FOL
Ireland to shove him on.
The organist had now reached th'
climax to the wild strains OF the Son
alta. A more inspiring scene cOult
not be imagined.
Innocentlv facing the assassin, tn
president smiled as he only know
hOw-that smile of dignity, benevo
lence and compassiOn-as he extend
ed his right hand to meet the left O
the supposedly wounded fiend. A
the youth extended his left hand. he
quick as a fash. as though trained
by long practice, whipped out hi
right hand. the one which held III
revolver, and before anyone kneN
what was transpiring two shots rani
out, one following the other after tn
briefest portion of a second.
For moment there was the hus
of awful death-not a sound. Th
Sonata died instantly; the peopl
stopped, and could not breathe.
The next instant there was pande
monium. The executive ofthe great
est nation on the globe had been sho
by bullets from the weapon OF an as
sassin.
He ASKS God to Forgive the
Would.be Assassin
The president drew his righ han
quicklylto his chest, raised his heac
and his eyes looked upward and rol
ed.
He swerved a moment, reeled an
was caught in the arms OF Secretar
Cortelyou, to his right.
Catching himself for the briefes
so.opd President Mckinley. who's