The Savannah morning news., 1904-07-29

Reduced Large Paving stones to
Dust and Did Much DamaGe-Sev-
eraI Were Injured-WOunded Finn
Took Poison Before He Was Made
n PrisOner-Minister of Justice
Was stOned-Russia Has Her TrOu-
bIes at Home, Too.
St. Petersburg, July 2S.-M. Won
PIehve. Minister of the Interior, was
assassinated at $3.50 o'clock this morn
ing by a bomb thrown at his carriage
while he was driving to the Baltic
station to take a train for the palace
at Peterhof where he was to make
his weekly report to the Emperor.
The assassination is believed to be
the outcome of a widespread plot, the
existence of which has been suspected
for several days. Numerous arrests
have already been made, including that
of the assassin, a young man who is
believed to be Finn named Leglo, and
who is now in a hospital severely and
perhaps fatally injured by the ex-
plosion of his own bomb.
An accomplice of Leglo, also appar-
emily a Finn, but whose name is un-
known, has been arrested. He had in
his possession a. bomb which he tried
to throw, but he was overpowered by
the police just in time to prevent great
loss of life.
Was Terrific Explosion.
The assassin wore a brown overcoat
and a railroad officials cap. He stood
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 num-
ber 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 wound
ing over a score of persons.
Minister Won Plehve and his coachman
were killed outright. and an officer of
the guard was fatally injured.
Tried to Get Away.
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
posion, arrested a suspicious individ-
ual, who took refuge in hotel oppo-
site the scene of the tragedy. He car
ried a 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 ac-
complice and pinned his arms.
Much Damage Was Done.
The explosion is believed to have been
composed of pyroxolyn, as it gave out
little smoke. The force of the explo-
sion was so terrific that it not only
broke every window within a radius
of half a mile, but reduced the heavy
paving stones to powder, heaved up
the pavement and flung a heavy piece
of the iron work of the carriage across
the canal, severing the thick mast of
barge which fell, stunning the captain
of the barge. Everybody in the street
was knocked down and more or less
bruised.
Into n Humble Chapel.
ed by Minister of Justice Muravieff,
had terminated the necessary for
n'alities by drawing up a written re-
port of the crime, the mangled remains
of the Minister of the Interior were
conveyed to an humble chapel adjoin-
ing the station, the windows of which
miraculously escaped destruction.
The priests and people, with char
acteristic Russian piety. at once join
ed in a solemn requiem. The square
IN front of the station was filled with
teverent crowd of peasants and
laborers, and the busy hum of traffic
was silenced.
A priest lifted up his voice and pro-
claimed, THE eternal memory of the
departed servant Wenceslas." while all
those in the congregation dropped to
their knees.
Service at Minister'S Home.
A no less impressive service was con-
Quoted at the minister's stately resi-
dence this evening to which only inti-
mate friends We're invited by NJ. Won
Plehve's assistant, NJ. Durnovo, who
Is temporarily in charge of the Min
lstry of the Interior.
The magnificent staircase. and the
reception rooms were draped in black
The body of the minister was com
pletely covered by a white shroud
which concealed the ghasty mutila-
uons. 1t reposed in a black and sill
Yer casket in a corner of the vast
man, surrounded by luxuriant palms.
SentineIs at CasI<et.
Gendarmerie and on-commissioned
ofhcers stood sentinel at the head of
tne casket, while at its foot were two
Algh officials of the ministry.
The hall and the adjoining rooms,
which are decorated in the Byzantine
style somewhat resembling a church,
We're crowded with distinguished per-
sonages, including Grand Duke Alexis,
the high admiral; Admiral Avellan.
chlet OF the admiralty; Prince Hilkoff
minister Of railroads: Ministed Won
Flehve's associates. M. Wahle, M g.
Durovo and NJ. Sevastianoff. and the
members of the diplomatic corps in full
torce, including Spencer Eddy, Amer
lcan Charge d'Affaires Sir Charles
hardinge, the British ambassador and
NJ Bompard. the French ambassador.
NichoIas Didn't Leave Palace.
A special edition Of the ohicial Mes
senger, which was distributed late this
EffgrnFan IT,