The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-07

Washington, Sept. 6.-The news OF
the shooting of President Mckinley.
which reached Washington first
through the medium of the Associated
Press late this afternoon, caused a
tremendous sensation.
So frequent have been rumors OF this
sort. often put afloat in recent years
for stock jobbing purposes, that the
general disposition at first was to
withhold full acceptance Of the story
Of the news. but when it was confirm
cd a feeling of deep gloom and pro-
found sorrow spread over the city, for
Mr.. McKinley's delightful personality
had endeared him to the citizens of
washington, apart from the oiiicial
class. in a degree that rarely has been
equalled.
II was some time before the full force
of the blow was appreciated; the peo-
n,a were stunned and they could not
resnond at once and fully comprehend
.ha extent of the great disaster that
had fallen upon the country and tnem-
a.,,,as Then the newspaper extras be-
gan to appear; the carriers rusiieu
a,,, through the streets and crowds
os people began to gather from al
oartars of the city around the news
paper bulletin boards.
First News at the White house.
. renorter for the Associated Press
carried TO the White House the nrs'
bulletin announcing the shooting Oh tne
president. The executive mansion was
reached about 4:25 o'clock, and at tnat
.,v,a oil its few inmates were in total
IGNORANCE of the tragedy in which their
chief had Just played so serious a part
noliceman paced up and down unoer
the nortico as usual, but his serene
COunIendHCG iiAhAhh@N~~
tallv ignorant of the affair.
inside there were few to receive the
news the most prominent parsonage
.nare being a telegraph operator, AS
s,stant Secretary Pruden, who has been
IN charge of the White House. having
left his office for the day as had MS
s,,bordinates. The telegraph operator,
two watchmen at the doors, the police
man on guard outside, and the faith-
f,,1 negro servant, Uncle Jerry" were
the only persons about the mansion.
Mai. Pruderi, assistant secretary to
the President, and Col. Crooks, dis"
bursing officer, both veterans OF the
white House force, arrived together
shortly after o'clock and assumed
charge of the executive mansion. Maj.
Pruden had passed through a similar
experience when President Garfield was
shot, and Col. Crooks, service extends
beyond the LlncOlH dSSoS0n' ~AN
in tears when he said:
eyes; IL is the third affair of the kind
since 1 came into the White House"
Such public men as were in the city
called during the evening. There were
also representatives of several foreign
legations.
No official confirmation of the shoot
ing came to the White House for three
hours after it's occurrence. when Col.
Montgomery the chief operator at the
White House, was informed, at 1920
o'clock, by Secretary Cortelyou at Buff
falo that surgical operation upon the
President was in progress, and that
80 far everything favorable"
Departments Act mt Once.
The work OF the official day was
done when the news Of the great ca
lamity arrived here. and the great ex-
ecutive departments had generally
emptied themselves Of their human
workmen and very few of the officials
were to be found at their desks.
Mr.. Adee. the acting secretary OF
state. was caught at the station as he
was leaving for his country home.