The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-01-25

festival of the Epiphany the blessing OF
the waters, had just concluded at
o'clock =. NJ, when, simultaneously
with the asluie fired from the St. Peter
and St. Paul Fortress, rain of grape
shot fired from saluting gun on the
bourse swept over the little chapel
built over the frozen Neva in front of
the Winter Palace where Emperor Mich
oas and every member of the Romanoif
family were participating in the serv-
ice. Some of the missiles struck the
chapel and others went high entering
windows OF the splendid row OF salons
along the water 'front.' from which the
Empress, the ladies of the court and
the members of the diplomatic corps,
including Ambassador Mccormick, Sec
retary Eddy and Second Secretary Bliss
and all the high dignitaries OF the state,
army and navy were witnessing the
gliuering spectacle below.
Fortunately, the bullets passed over
the heads OF all present, striking the op-
poste wall and Gathering down on the
porquetcd floor of the white salon.
The first impression Of those who
heard the crash was that it was due TO
| NlN sAdAS iiOlA AiC Siaoo
lers, and caused by concussion from
the booming guns. Everybody had been
laboring under more or less nervous
strain because of the strike situation,
and when the truth was realized the
windows were hastily vacated and the
greatest excitement reigned within the
palace Lieutenant General Fulton, chief
OF police of St. Petersburg, himself pick
ed up missile in the white salon. 1t
was the size of birds egg. The police
chief was Immediately surrounded by
officers of the guards, who examined
the bullet, and expressed their opinion
that it had come from a gun located on
the Bourse Esplanade, and which replied
to the salute of the St, Peter and St.
Paul Fortress, explaining that gun
might have been charged with loaded
cartridge by mistake.
Such thing, however, it was admitted
was hard to conceive without a delib-
crate plot. From the holes passing
through the double windows it is GER
tain that the bullets came from the
direction of the bourse. In the mean
time there was no evidence outside OF
what occurred.
black lines along the quays, the palace
bridge, the steps of the bourse and
every point of vantage in the white
arctic landscape did not betray the
slightest excitement Neither did the
imperial party in the chapel below
Although the actual ceremony was end
ed, the Emperor remained and accom-
panied the Metropolitan and clergy as
they circled the pavilion around the
chapel to bless the gorgeous standards
OF the famous guard regiments assem-
bled there. Then the procession moved
back to the palace and the original pro-
gram was carried ont.
The Emperor displayed splendid nerve.
He did not show trace OF excitement.
He received the diplomats in his usual
cordial, gentle manner, reviewed the
guard regiments on the square behind
the palcace and subsequently had lunch
con served III the state dining ROOM
Whena correspondent, who was about
to go down TO the white salon when one
OF the missiles few right over his head,
LETT the palace he saw hole in the
window OF another salon and holes out
side in the stucco OF the massive red
building
This statement was obtained from the
police:
with the second or third shot from
the Bourse Battery, on Basil Island a
very large number of shrapnel bullets
struck the chapel of the palace. Two
entered the interior. where the Emperor
was standing. The bullets had a very
low velocity. The two which entered
the chapel fell harmlessly to the floor.
Several policemen about the chapel
were struck. With the exception of one
man, named Romanof, who was Sc
verely wounded, they all escaped with
contusions. An inquiry is being CON
Quoted by the Grand Duke Sergius
Alichaelovitch. inspector general OF ar
tilery. 1t has not been established
whether il was an accident or was due
10 reconciliation.
The official account makes the mys-
tericus shooting appear TO be'an acci-
dent as follows:
During the ceremony Of the bless
ings OF the waters Of the Neva, in
the presence OF the Emperor, as the
usual salute was being fired an acci-
dent happened. A charge of grape, in
stead OF a saluting charge, was fired
from a gun belonging to one OF the
batteries stationed near the Bourse.
Some bullets struck the facade of the
Winter Palace, near the Quay Gardens,
breaking four windows A policeman
belonging TO the ST. Petersburg force
was wounded According to the in.
formation TO hand at present no other
accident occurred Inquiry continues -
Later it was stated in official circles
that the grape was fired from one OF the
guns OF the Seventeenth Battery of the
First Horse Artillery Of the Guard the
most aristocratic corps in the Russian
army. 1t seems that al gun practice on
Tuesday loaded she'll was inadvertent-
ly left in the gun.
Another Charge Against Sorenson.
Portland, Ore. (Special) The fed
eral grand jury has returned an addi-
ttapol iuI,.4,,,f,t .,cr...,-. 4 1--e,.