The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-15
|PAN|C SPO|LS
| DEDICATION.
$4,000 People Stampede
at COlumbuS,OhiO.
PROGRAM IS POSTPONED
UnveiIins Of Nc KinIsy Monument
Crowd Becomes Frightened,
Few Injured.
FIGURE UNVEILED IN HASTE
Mrs, Longworth Present and Tries 10
Stop Excitement by Unveiling Sta.
tue--Police Prove Powetless to
Keep Order.

COLUMBUS. Sept. l4.--With panic
threatened In a crowd estimated al 50,-
900 people surging about the stand,
and frantic 10 secure glimpse OF Mrs.
Alice Roosevelt I,ongworth, the exercises
arranged for the dedication OF the Nc
Kinley monument were suddenly ter.
minated this afternoon, after the statue
had been hurriedly unveiled by Mrs.
Longworth. Prompt action on the part
~ the committee on arrangements was
regarded as most fortunate for the
crowd was beyond control and the
ehrieking Of the men. women and chill
drcn caught In the crush was rapidly
working the crowd into frenzy. Many
women tainted and were carried out Of
the crowd by the police. Two were so
badly burt that they had to be re-
moved in an ambulance. Both will re-
cover. Throughout the excitement, Mrs.
Longworth remained cool and sclf'pos'
sessed, Mr.. and Mrs. Longworth had
considerable difficulty In escaping from
the crowd They were prevented from
reaching their automobile and were
caught in the surging crowd. They
were then compelled TO fight their way
across the street into building where
they waited until the police had cleared
passage to their carriage. The com.
mittee on arrangements had expected
an enormous crowd hut In view Of the
solemnity Of the occasion they believed
II would be easily kept in restraint Or
'iinariiy the police arrangements would
have been adequate, but the officers
found quickly that they were powerless
to cope with the crowd The Mckinley
memorial stands at the entrance to the
capitol grounds. fronting the street and
the crowd was packed into the space
between the speakers stand and the
monument. II was when the band was
playing an overture that the panic be-
came apparent. Suddenly the women
next to the speakers stand began to
scream for help and several were car
red up to the stand. Rev. DR., Glad
den arose to deliver the invocation,
but had only spoken few words when
the roar Of voices forced him to stop
Governor Harris attempted to quiet the
crowd by shouting "Keep back, you
are crushing those In front to death"
The governors voice was not heard
twenty feet on account Of the din. Inc
commotion became so alarming that
those on the stand asked Mrs, Long
worth to come forward In the hope that
glimpse Of her might satisfy the
crowd. This was without effect and IT
was decided to unveil the statue at
once. Mrs. Longworth pulled the cord
and drew the flags covering the statue
aside.
This stopped the crush for moment
but it was soon renewed and Mrs Long.
worth again came to the front ana
bowed to the throng. In the meantime
the committee decided to postpone the
balance Of the programme until TO-
night and IN announcement was made
I'd this effect. Those nearest the STAND
cheered, but those on the outskirts OF
the crowd not understanding the rea'
son. met II with storm Of Kisses.
The programme was completed TO-
night in Memorial Hall before an I'M
mense throng. The speakers were Jus
tice Day, Senator Daniel Of Virginia,
Gen. Joseph Mckay Of Brooklyn and
Commander in Chief Brown of G. A. H.