Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-16
Dramatic Attempt Made to
AssassinateSt Stolypin When
in Emperor's Company at
the Opera.
WOUNDS NOT HELD
TO BE DANGEROUS
Assailant, Young Lawyer,
Enters Theater During
Intermission and Plunges
House Into Instant Panic.

pears to be ground for the hope to
day that Premier Stolypin would fol
the third time survive the attack OF
an assassin.
Fired upon at close range as he sat
in the municipal theater last night
the premier escaped with two wounds
neither of which it is said is neces.
sarily fatal. A dispatch to the prem.
ier's brother Alexander Stolypin, at
st. Petersburg in the early morning
stated that the patients condition was
very satisfactory" and the surgeons
had not deemed an operation neces-
sary.
The assassination was attempted
under circumstances that lent them
selves to most dramatic scene. The
Would-be murderer who described him
self as junior member of a firm of
lawyers and the son of a we'll known
attorney and wealthy house owner, M.
Bogroff, chose moment when at
tention had been withdrawn from the
stage and centered readily upon his
first unexpected move.
Emperor and Family Present.
The day had been one Of festivities
In which Emperor Nicholas and others
OF the imperial family had partici-
pated. The program was to close with
gala performance of the opera and
ballet, "Tsar So1tan" by Rimsky-
Korsakoff, the late composer and pro-
fessor Of st. Petersburg conservatory
Admission to the theater was by cards
issued with discrimination to leading
citizens. The imperial box was oc-
cupied by Emperor Nicholas, the heir
apparent, Grand Duke Alexis, aged Z
years, and the emperor's daughters,
the Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana,
Morie and Anastatia. In the front row,
directly at the rear of the orchestra,
were seated Premier Stolypin and his
associates In the ministry.
stoIypin Cool After Tragedy.
During the intermission between
the first and second acts, Premier
Stolypin, leaning his arm upon the
orchestra fence, had turned toward
the center aisle conversing with the
minister OF war, General Soukhomlin-
of, and Count Potocky. A young man
in eeening dress moved down the Gen.
ter aisle approached the row occupied
BY the ministers and appeared to ac-
cost M. Stolypin. A second later he
drew a revolver and emptied 1t, seem
ingly point blank at NJ. Stolypin. AS
the reports of the shots crashed
through the house there was wild
cry from the spectators. The crowd
seemed panic stricken. Emperor
Nicholas sprang from his chair and
with a quick realization of what had
occurred his majesty ordered the
orchestra to play the national anthem
The coolest figure in the tragedy
was that of M. Stolypin, who was injur-
ed, one bullet having entered the right
breast and the other the right wrist.
With great courage he summoned his
waning strength and rising, faced the
imperial box, lifted his wounded arm
and made the sign Of the cross toward
his majesty. Then he dropped into
his seat. Before General Soukomlin-
of could assist him the premier re-
moved his uniform coat and attempted
to examine his injuries.
Meanwhile there was the widest
confusion, in the midst of which
Bogroff slipped toward an exit. Before
he could reach it, however, he was
seized, thrown to the floor and
trampled under foot The police, how
ever, succeeded in protecting the
prisoner. After the premier had been
given first aid he was carried from
the theater. AS he was carried down
the aisle he witnessed remarkable
demonstration of loyalty.
While the orchestra played the na-
tiOnal anthem, the curtain rose and
the artists, srill in their costurles, I
knelL at TIE anthem, repeating it five
times, the augience Joining in chorus
of "God Save Thy People The em- /!
peror made his acknowledgement: BY !
repeated bows. Then with his chill
dren he left the theater and proceeded |
to the palace.
With the departure Of the royal
family the police took possession of
.he opera house. The audience was !
allowed to leave only after identifi-
cation.
M Stolypin was removed to the
Makovsky surgical sanitarium. Ex- !
animation satisfied the physicians
that his wounds were probably not !
fatal. The premier bore up splendidly
eCout--ed on Page S.)