The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-02

St. Petersburg. July 2S.-M. Won
Plehve. minister of the interior, was
assassinated at $50 O'Clock this morn
ing by a bomb thrown at his carriage
while he was driving to the Baltic sta
ton to take the train for the Palace at
PeterhOf. where he was to make his
weekly report to the Emperor.
Outcome of a Widespread Plot.
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 a Finn, named Leglo, and
who is now in a hospital severely and
perhaps fatally injured by the explo-
sion of his own bomb. An accompIice
of LeslO, also apparently a Finn. but
whose name is unknown, has been ar
rested. 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.
The assassin wore a brown overcoat
and Il railroad officials cap. He stood
on the side walk just as Minister Won
Plehve'S carriage was about to cross
the canal bridge near the station. The
minister vas escorted by a number of
detectives on bicycles and one of them
jostled the assassin, who then rushed
into the crowd and threw the bomb at
ter the carriage. The missile struck the
hind wheel and exploded with fearful
force, killing or ~wounding over a score
OF persons. Minister Won Plehve and
his coachman were killed outright, and
an officer of the guard was fatally in
jured.
The Assassin Arrested.
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 at
tempt at resistance. however, when
seized by the detective and confessed
his crime, but refused to give his name.
Another Arrest Made.
The police Immediately after the ex-
plosion arrested a suspicious individual
who tOok refuge in a hotel opposite the
scene OF the tragedy. He carried a
bomb similar to that thrown bv Leglo.
As soon as the police saw the bomb
they scattered, but an employee of the
hotel rushed up behind the accomplice
and pinned his arms.
The explosive is believed to have
been composed of pyroXyln as it gave
off little smoke. The force of the ex-
ploSion 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 niece
Of the iron work of the carriage across
the canal seyering the thick mast of a
barge which fell, stunning the captain
OF the barge. Everybody in the street
was knocked down and more or less
bruised.
Solemn Requiem Over the Dead.
When the officers of the law, headed
by Minister of Justice Murayieff had
terminated the necessary formalities by
drawing up a written report of the
crime. the mangled remains of the min
lister of the interior were conveyed to a
humble chapel adjoining the station,
the windows of which ~miraeulously es-
capped destruction. The priests and
people with characteristic Russian
piety, at once Joined in a solemn re-
QUEEN. The quare in front of the
station was filled with a reverent crowd
Of peasants and laborers N the busy
hum Of traffic was silenced. The priest
lifted his voice and proclaimed 'The
eternal memory of the departed servant
wenceslas" while all those in the con-
gregation dropped to their knees.
Impressive Service at the Minister'S
Residence.
A no less impressive service was con-
Quoted at the minister's late resi-
dence this evening to which only init