The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-07


Boston. Dec. 6.--An insane man
walked into the aute-rOom OF the eX-
ecutive chamber OF the state house.
ana. Rnding Governor Guilds door
closed. turned on three prominent Ia
Dor leaders and fred three shots at
them. probably fatty wounding Ed
ward Cohen. of Lynn. president OF the
state branch of the American Fedora
ton of Labor; seriously wounding
Dennis ID. Driscoll. of Boston. secre-
tary OF the same board and injuring
with the muzzle Of his revolver Arthur
NJ. Huddell. Of Boston. former presi-
dent Of the Central Labor Union OF
this city. The insane man, who was
John \. Steele. of Everett and who
was released on parole last month from
the Danvers insane asylum. was over
powered by Private Secretary Charles
s. Groves and General J. II. Whitney
chief Of the state police.
Cohen was shot twice through the
head and is in a critical condition. The
third bullet struck Driscoll a glancing
blow on the side Of the forehead and,
making a long wound over the head,
rendered him unconscious. He recov-
cred consciousness half an hour later.
HuddelVs wound. which was at first
supposed to be an alarming one. was
quickly dressed and will probably
cause him little Inconvenience.
The three labor leaders were con-
versing in the ante-room. at the farth-
er end of which Private Secretary
Groves was debating letter.
Suddenly Steele appeared at the door
Of the room from the hallway. and
without announcing his mission walked
By the doorkeeper and messenger and
then glanced toward Governor Guilds
room. Steele turned around and. draw
ing a revolver. fired at Cohen, who was
about six feet away. Cohen's back was
turned. and the bullet struck the back
of his head. passed directly through.
and came out at the forehead. driving
a great splash of blood TO the wall Op-
posite and beside the picture of Abra-
ham Lincoln. The wounded man turn
ed. only to receive another bullet in
the head. which also passed complete
ly through. Cohen sank unconscious
10 the floor. Steele then swung around
and fired at DriscOll the bullet infiict-
ing a severe scalp wound. Driscoll also
fell unconscious 10 the floor. Huddell :
in attempting to close on the mar. was
struck on the cheek by the o,r1z,e ~
the revolver and kPr.ctad Gown but
S'eei maui 10 attempt to fire again.
BY this time Private Secretary Groves
had leaped over a table and grappled
with Steele. and almost at the same
moment, General Whitney, who had
been summoned, came through the
door and rushed to the assistance OF
Mr.. Groves.
/ Huddell also Jumped up and wrench
ed the revolver away while one Of the
messengers dashed into the governor
Office and said: They are numbering
people in the lobby" The governor in
stantly went into the lobby and helped
General Whitney, Mr.. Groves and Mr.
Huddell push Steele on TO one of the
sofas. Word was sent to the Office OF
the state police in the basement, and
force Of officers quickly reached the
scene and handcuffed Steele.
Steele. who is 81 years old, was re-
leased from the Danvers insane asylum
November IS last upon solicitation OF
his mother. the institutions officials
believing that he had shown almost
positive signs of recovery. He never
showed any signs of violence while in
the asylum.