The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-15
Panic Created at Unveiling of
Statue to Martyr President
By Crowd of $4,000 Frantic to
See Mrs. Alice LongwOrth.
SCREAM AND FAINT.
Women Crushed in Jam to See
Presidents Daughter.
It Became Necessary to Adjourn
Ceremony Till She Escaped.

OAO O.y sept. 10
With panic threatened in a
crowd estimated at $4,000
people, surging about the
~ stand erected in the capitol
grounds, frantic to secure
glimpse of Mrs. Nicholas Longworth,
the presidents daughter. the exercises
arranged for the dedication of the Nc
Kfnley monument were suddenly ter
minated after the statue of the mar
tyred president had been hurriedly
unveiled by Mrs. Longworth.
The prompt action of the commit
tee on arrangemen was regarded as
most fortunate, for the crowd was be-
yond control, and the shrieking of
women and children who were caught
in the crush was rapidly working the
crowd into a frenzy. Many women
tainted and were carried out by the
police. Two were SO badly hurt that
they had to be removed in an am
bulance. Both will recover.
Throughout the exciting scenes Mrs.
Longworth remained cool and self
possessed, but afterward she said:
1t was the worst crush / ever wit
messed. have seen nothing like it in
my trip around the world"
Mr. and Mrs Longworth had an ex-
citing experience in escaping from the
crowd at the capitol. From the
speakers stand they went through a
window overlooking the platform into
the governors office. but they were
scarcely inside when the people be-
gan to surge through the doors.
Then they attempted to reach an
automobile which was waiting for
them on the street, but once outside
they were caught in a surging crowd.
Finding no immediate avenue Of
escape. they fought their way out Of
the capitol grounds and across Broad
street into the Outlook building. There
they remained until a carriage was Sc
a1a -oA r.
it and they were driven to the Hotel
Hartman Later they took a train for
Cincinnati.
Woman's Scream Starts Panic.
The committee on arrangements had
expected an enormous crowd on ac-
worth, but in view of the SOlemnity
and dignity of the occasion they be-
lieved the crowd would easily be kept
in restraint. Under ordinary circum-
stances the police arrangements would
have been adequate, but the officers
found quickly they were powerless to
cope with the crowd.
It was not until the band was play
ing the overture that the danger of d
panic became apparent. Suddenly
women in the crowd next to the speak
ers' stand began to scream for help.
Then several women tainted and were
carried up to the stand. Rev. DR..
Washington GLADDEN. rose to deliver
/
sentences when the roar of voices
forced him to stop. Governor Harris
then attempted to quiet the crowd.
Keep back he shouted; you are
crushing these people in front to
DEATH
Monument HurriedIy Unveiled.
The governors voice could not be
heard twenty feet away. however, on
account of the din. The commotion
then became so alarming that those on
the stand asked Mrs Longworth to
come forward in the hope that a
glimpse of her might satisfy the crowd
! She came to the front of the stand, and
| it was seen at once that something
must be done and it was decided to
unveil the statue at once Mrs. Long
worth then pulled the ribbon attached
to wires which drew the flags covering
the statue aside. A man hoisted on
another mans shoulders grasped the
ribbons and the wire and they were
quickly torn into fragments by relic
seekers.
The crush was stopped for a few mo-
ments, but it was soon renewed, and
Mrs Longworth again came to the
front of the platform and bowed to the
I