The Elbert County tribune., 1904-08-04
AsSAssIN'S WORK
sussIAN MINISTER KILLED.
Won PIehve. Russian Minister Of In
terior. Terribly Mangied BY .
Bomb Thrown at His

St Petersburg. July 29.-viatschia-
sen Constantinovitch Won Plehve. min
lister OF the interior Of Russia, was as
sasssnated at $3.50 o'clock yesterday
morning with bomb thrown at his
carriage while he was driving to the
Baltic station to take train for the
palace at Peterhoff. where he was to
make his weekly report to the Gar.
The assassination is believed to be
the outcome OF widespread plot. tho
existence Of which has been suspected
for several days. Numerous arrests
have already been made. including that
OF the assassin. young man who is
believed to be a Finn OF the name OF
Leglo, and who Is now In hospital
perhaps fatally injured by the explos-
ion OF his own bomb. An accomplish
OF Leglo. also apparently Finn. but
whose name is unknown. has been ar
rested. He had in his possession n
bomb which he tried to throw, but he
was overpowered by the police just In
time to prevent great loss of life.
Tho ASSASSIN wore brown overcoat
on the sidewalk Just as Minister Won
Plehve's carriage was about to cross
the canal bridge near the station. The
minister was escorted by a number OF
detectives on bicycles, and one of them
jostled the ASSASSIN, who then rushed
into the road and threw the bomb after
the carriage. The missile struck the
hind wheel and exploded with fearful
force, killing or wounding more than
score of people. Minister Won Plehve
and his coachman were killed outright.
and an officer of the guard was fatally
injured.
One of the cyclist detectives arrested
the assassin, who endeavored to escape.
though wounded by splinters in the
face, arm and abdomen. He made no
attempt at resistance, however. when
seized by the detective, and confessed
his crime. but refused to give his name.
The police Immediately after the ex-
plosion arrested a suspicious individual
who took refuge in hotel near the
scene of the tragedy. He carried
bomb similar to that thrown by Leglo.
AS soon as the police saw the bomb
they scattered, but an employe of the
hotel rushed up behind the accomplish
and pinned his arms.
The explosive is believed to have
been composed OF pyroxlin. as it gave
on little smoke. The force of the en-
plosion was SO terrific that 1t not onS
broke nearly every window within
radius of half a mile. but reduced heavy
paving stones to powder, heaved up the
pavement and flung heavy piece OF
the ironwork of the carriage across the
canal, severing a thick barge mast.
which fell, stunning the captain OF the
barge. Everybody in the street was
knocked down and bruised.
As Minister of Justice Muravieff was
driving to the Peterhof palace this af-
ternoon to report to Emperor Nicholas
the assassination of the minister of the
interior, Van Plehve. stones were
thrown at him and his carriage win
dows were broken. The identity OF
the minister's assailants has not yet
been discovered.
Every possible measure OF precaution
has been taken to prevent news of the
tragedy reaching the Czarina. Her
health is delicate and 1t is feared II
she learns of the fate of Van Plehve
the shock may have serious conse-
quences. not only to the Empress. but
to the child which is soon to be born.
and which 1t is universally hoped will
be the heir to the throne Of the Gar
and all the Russias.