The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-09-15
Attempted Assassination Was
Spectacular in It's Execution.
OPERA NIGHT.
AssaiIant Walked Down the
Aisle in Evening Dress
And Emptied His Revolver
Point Blank at Victim.


Fired on at close range as he sat
tdefenseless in his chair at the NUM-
cipal theater last night the premier es-
capped with two wounds, neither OF
which it is said is necessarily fatal
A dispatch sent to the premiers broth
er, Alexander Stolypin, at St. Peters
burg in the early morning stated that
the patients condition was very sat
lisfactory and the surgeons had not
deemed an operation necessary The
| tentative judgment was that the bull
| let's had wounded the pleura and grazed
the liver. A pulse of 20 was recorded.
| Following his removal from the play
house, the wounded man slept for four
hours, after which the first consulta-
/ ton was held.
| The assassination was attempted un-
der dramatic circumstances. The would
be murderer, who described himself as
/ q junior member of firm of lawyers
and the son Of a well known attorney,
and wealthy house owner, NJ. Bogrof
chose a moment when attention had
been withdrawn from the stage and
could be centered readily on him. The
day had been one of festivities in
which Emperor Nicholas and others of
the imperial family had personally
participated. In the afternoon the en-
peror with NJ. Stolypin and others of
the cabinet had witnessed the army
maneuvers in the vicinity of Kopylow
Returning to the city. the party visit
ed the PetchOra HtppOdrOne and VII
messed a review of 4, 900 boy scouts from
the Kiev grammar schools. This was
at $50 o'clock Meanwhile the popu-
lace had been entertained with the trot-
ting races and other public exhibitions.
The program was to close with a gala
performance of the opera and ballet
''-sarsoltan'' by Rimsly-K koff,
the late composer and professor of st.
Petersburg conservatory. Admission to
the municipal theater was by card and
these permits had been issued with
great discrimination to leading citizens
of the city.
When the Curtain Rose.
At 9 O'Clock when the curtain rose
the imperial box was occupied by EN-
peror Nicholas, the heir apparent,
Grand Duke Alexis. aged years, and
the emperor's daughters the Grand
Duchesses Olga, TatinIa, Marie and
Anastasia. In the front row of the pit
directly at the rear of the orchestra
were seated Premier Stolypin and his
associates in the ministry. The opera |
progressed until the curtain fell on the |
second act.
During the intermission Premier |
StoIypin, leaning his left arm on the |
orchestra fence had turned his face to |
the right toward the center aisle, con- /
versing with the minister of war, Cen |
eral Soukhomlinoff, and Count Potocky. |
A young man in evening dress moved |
quietly down the center aisle, ap- /
preached the row occupied by the min /
listers and appeared to accost NJ. StoIy- |
pin. A second later he drew a revolver
from his coat and emptied it seemingly
directly at M. Stolypin. AS the reports
Of the shots crashed through the house
there was a wild cry from the spec
tatOrS who rose to their feet simultane-
ously. many of the women Immediately
sinking into hte chairs fainting. The
vast crowd seemed panic stricken.
Emperor Nicholas, at the sound of
the first explosion, sprang from his
chair and, stepping to the front of the
imperial box, started in the direction
IF the wounded man. With a quick
realization of what had occurred his
majesty ordered the orchestra to play
he national anthem.
SaIutea With Wounded Arm.
The coolest figure in the tragedy was
hat of NJ. Stolypin, who was twice
wounded. One bullet had entered the
light breast and the other the right
wrist, probably as he had raised his
trm in defense. With great courage he
summoned his waning strength and
Using, faced the imperial box, lifted
lis wounded arm and made the sign of ;
he cross toward his majesty. Then he
Iropped into his seat. Before General
could assist him the
PREMIER removed his uniform coat and
tempted to examine his injuries.
Meantime there was the widest | I
onfusion, in the midst of which Bo-
rolf slipped toward an exit. Before {
g could reach it he was seized, ]
brown to the floor and trampled I'M
er foot. The police succeeded in I
the situation and gave Bo- s
rolf the protection of a prisoner.
After the premier had been given
rst aid he was carried from the
heater. AS he was carried down the 7
isle he witnessed a remarkable de-
lonstration of loyalty.
While responding to the command
{ the emperor the orchestra played
lie national anthem, the curtain rose :
nd the artists, still in the costumes :
{ the opera, knelt and repeated the :
nthe mfive times, the audience join
lg in a. chorus of God Save Thy Peo- e
The emperor made his acknow- =
dgment by repeated bows. Then Z
it'll his party he left the theater and =
roceeded to the palace. :
With the departure of the royal q
-mily the police took possession of :
lie opera house. The audience was y
lowed to leave only one by one, after =
ratification The bullet that passed "A
trough the wrist of the premier ~
coheted and struck the foot of
olinist in the orchestra. T
M. Stolypin was removed to the
akeovSky surgical sanitarium. A
Irried examination convinced the
lysicians that the wounds were prob
,ly not fatal. The premier bore up W
lendidly and arriving at the hos e.
tai asked his colleagues to convey a h
essage to the emperor expressing his a
votion. I
Tell him. said the wounded man, | =,
am ready to die for him. \,
NJ. StoIypin then requested those at
e bedside to reassure his wife and
ked that priest be brought to him.
Reunion Association, Attention. +
The regular meeting of the Reunion
c0ciofin71 will 6a hold tom r4<r-<,xzy E