The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-08
THERE WASASHOT
Story Abroad That 1t Was Fired
at Roosevelt.
Probably Traceable to Hunters
or Target Marksman.
TAKES NO STOCK IN 1T.
The President Himself Is Not
Disturbed by Circumstance.
others Say That He Was Much
Agitated at the Time.

oyster bay, N. l., sept o.-OSAlS@-
tionaI reports that an attempt had
been made to shoot President Roosevelt
apparently have their origin in the fact
that the hunting season has opened on
Long Island and there is considerable
shooting daily in the outlying districts.
Close investigation fails to show that
there has been any overt act directed
against the president. 1t is his GUS
tom to ride out every day, covering
various routes in the country side and
it is not unusual for him to encounter
parties of hunters. Also there is
shooting club which engages in target
practice not far from Sycamore Hill
Mr. Loeb, secretary to the president.
said today it was not believed for
moment that any one had tried to do
harm to Mr.. Roosevelt No attention
whatever was being paid to the mat
ter officially. he said.
a searching investigation is being
made today to determine the circum-
stances givine rise to the report. Every
foot of ground in the vicinity of which
the attempt is alleged to have been
made is being gone over and the
closest quest is being prosecuted to as
certain whether or not any person TO
whom suspicion might attach was seen
in the vicinity of oyster Bay. about
the time the shot is said to have been
fired.
According to the story in circulation
here a shot was fired from clump OF
bushes near the roadside while the
president and a friend were returning
from a horseback ride last Saturday
The report of the shot came from close
at hand. it is said, and after the hrst
shock of surprise which caused the
president to urge his horse forward
Mr. Roosevelt turned abruptly about
and prepared to dismount and rush on
foot into the thicket. He was dissuad-
ed by his friend, however, and together
they galloped away to Sycamore Hill
No information at all regarding the in
cident came from the presidents home
or executive offices but it appears from
the story as later told that Camille
Weidenfeld, a New York banker, was
driving with Mrs. Weidenfeld in the
vicinity and was a witnesss>to the oc-
currence.
The WeidenfeIds were in a public
carriage and their driver also is said
to have heard the report of the. sho'
and to have witnessed the excited ac-
tions of the president and his COM
panion which Immediately followed. No
one yet has been found, however, who
saw the man who is said to have fired
the shot. The general opinion seems
to be that If a shot was fired, it was
by some hunter, who was totally un-
aware of the presence of the president
learned of the CONSERVATION which his
actions had caused it is maintained,
there is little likelihood that he would
come forward with his version of the
story at this time because of the
notoriety which would follow the dis
closure of his identity.
Pronounced Insane.
Mineola, L. l.. Sept. S-John Cough
lin, the armed man who was arrested
while attempting to reach the presi-
dent at Sycamore Hill yesterday was
examined by two physicians today and
pronounced insane. He will be sent to
an asylum at Kings Park, Long Island.
Weidenfeld's Version.
New York, Sept. S.-Camille Weiden-
field, the Wall street broker. said today
that he heard the shot, which was al
legged to have been intended for the
president.
Il paid no attention to it, however"
he added. THE president and his
friend. both On horseback, passed us
away when we heard the shot. Had
we feared it was meant for him we
would have turned back. but we did
not. 1t is incorrect to state that Mrs
Weidenfeld made a remark to the eff
feet that it was an attempt to kill the
president"
Story of Man Who Was There.
OySl6T Day N. Sepl. O.-NldJOT
Wadsworth, a cousin of the speaker
of the New York assembly. was riding
with the president Saturday when the
shooting was heard. The major said
today that the president and he were
returning from a ride to Cold Spring
Harbor and were about to turn from
the Cove road ito the road leading
through the w Emlen Roosevelt es-
tate to Sycamore Hill, when they
heard a shot. 1t seemed to come from
a point nearby and the president r.
marked that some one must De at tar
get practice. Major WaCsworrh said
nothing more was thought of the
shooting until the president and he
went in bathing in Cold Spring harDor
when both the president and he again
heard shots. The major added that it
was his impression that some one was
shooting at a target. He expressed
the opinion that the president should
start an investigation and it was learn
ed that Jack Roosevelt, a son or W.
Emlen Roosevelt, had been shooting
al target back of the house
Major Wadsworth said they did not
connect the arrest of John Cougnlin
with the shooting. He does nos pc
lieve an attempt was made TO snool
the president.
n 0CE I'D TuIlDCnAV