New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-02-28
YOUNG VANDERBILT
lhOBBED IN Italy
W. K, JR,, RUNS DOWN A BOY
WHILE AUToMoBILINGs AND
CROWD ATTACKS HIM.
MILLIONAIRE DRAWS
REVOLVER IN DEFENSE
He Is Disarmed and Beaten Before
Police Come to His Rescue and
Arrest Misunderstanding Occurs in
Village of Pontedera.

Florence, Italy, Feb. 26.-W. K. Van I
derbilt, Jr, drew a revolver on an
Italian mob in the village OF Ponte-
dera when he and his automobile party
were attacked. Mr.. Vanderbilt and
his chauffeur were kicked and beaten
until rescued by the gendarmes and
arrested Mrs. Vanderbilt went to
hotel The attack of the mob fol-
lowed the injury Or a boy by the Van
derbilt automobile.
The automobile was not going at
excessive speed, but when turning a
sharp corner it ran down child, a
boy about five years old, and injured
him about the head. Though the boy
was not seriously hurt, his face was
covered with blood The motor car,
which was stopped as soon as the ac-
cident had occurred, was surrounded
| by a crowd of excited people, who be-
rated it's occupants. In the midst OF
the excitement the report spread that
the child was dead and the tOwnspeo-
! pie became SO enraged that they at
tatcked the chauffeur.
Vanderbilt Is Disarmed.
Matters reached a critical stage, and
Mr.. Vanderbilt, believing that the
lives of the party were in danger drew
a revolver. Before he could use the
weapon several men jumped into the
automobile, disarmed him and kicked
and cuffed him.
By this time the police had become
! II
happening, and gendarmes hurried to
the scene to protect the automobilists
Owing to the fury of the people the
officers took the Vanderbilt party into
a neighboring shop for safety. There
they we're Immediately besieged by the
crowd, the most violent Of the people
urging their companions to take sum
mary vengeance on the travellers. The
shop was owned by a relative of the
injured boy, which did not tend to calm
the feelings of the mob.
Police Rescue Party.
Eventually an officer of gendarme!
with requirements arrived and afte
the townspeople had Gained dow
somewhat he succeeded in rescuing tn,
automobilists, who were taken to tn
police station, followed by crowd o
shouting people. The leaders protest
ed vigorously against the alleged care
lessness of the automobilists, and sal
that it was time 20 put stop to sucl
r accidents.
;. Mr. Vanderbilt and the chauffeu
o were detained under arrest, and Mrs
e Vanderbilt, who was shown every at
+ tention possible, was escorted to tn
4 best hotel in Pontedera
g Probable Punishment.
C Through the American consular au
thorities Mr.. Vanderbilt has secured
q lawyer, who has applied for his client
r provisional release, which is Away
y granted in similar cases, but whic
It can be refused when the offender is
It foreigner, or when it is suspected thu
e he may flee from justice. If the chill
g does not die or is not permanently dis
e abled, the punishment may be impris
d onmenf for three months and a fin
g of 5000, in addition to fine for carry
It ing revolver without permission
But it is believed that considering tn
It extenuating circumstances, Mr. Var
e derbilt may be only sentenced to pay
l. fine Doctors have visited the DO,
l. In order to ascertain his condition
It Grave complications, it was al
d nounced, may arise.
C,,;otcee 49, T,,,,.1x.