The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-04-16
Vol. XXXVI. No. 15.
ALF0NSO'S CLOSE CALL.
SHOOTS AT HIM AT
SHORT RANGE.
Ming OF Spain Escapes Unscathed from
Attack of Anarchist-Third In
successful Attempt That Has Been
He on Life of King.

iu' ApIH 10.-f or the third
time in his reign King Alfonso mar
/ rowly escaped today being the vic
tim Of an anarchists attempt against
his life. Three shots were fired at
the king this afternoon in the streets
Of the capital by a native Of BARGE
Iona, Rafael Sanchez Allegro, who
was Immediately overpowered.
King Alfonso owes his escape to
his own courage, quietness and skill
ed horsemanship. Accompanied by
his staff he was riding along the Gale
de Alcala, returning from the cere-
mony of swearing in recruits, when
man sprang from the sidewalk and
seized the bride of the kings horse
with one hand, presenting a revolver
point blank with the other.
The king, realizing the situation.
with lightning rapidity dug the spurs
into his horse, which reared violent
ly. His quickness saved his life. The
bullet, instead OF burying itself in the
kings breast, struck the horse in the
neck, but so close was it that the
kings left hand glove was blackened
by the powder discharge.
Before the assailant was able to
pull the trigger again, a secret ser
vice man sprang upon him. The two
men fell to the ground and locked in
each others arms, struggling furi-
ously. The assassin managed to free
his right arm and fired two more
shots in rapid succession, but the Of
ficer knocked his arm aside and the
bullets flew harmlessly through the
air.
AT the sound Of the first shot the
kings staff urged their horses to
the sidewalk and formed ring
around the assailant. who was finally
overpowered with the aid of four po-
licemen.
King Alfonso as soon as he saw that
the man had been secured raised him
self IN the sthrups, furiets to the
crowd, gave a military salute and
shouted in a ringing voice: Long
live Spain"
He then dismounted and reassured
his staff, saying: 1T is nothing, gen.
tlemen."
Then up rose a mighty roar from
the wildly enthusiastic masses, which
rolled along in great waves of sound,
all the way in which the king rode
TO the palace, cool, collected and smil-
ing.
spectator, a pensioned royal hal
berdier, pushed forward so impetuous-
ly TO offer his congratulations to the
monarch that he was mistaken for
another assassin and arrested He
was released as soon as the mistake
was dicovered. a young Frenchman
who was standing beside Allegro, was
also arrested, but it does not appear
that he was connected with him.
The crowds made a determined at
tempt to lynch Allegro. who was
rushed into a house and kept there
until an automobile ambulance. es-
corted by mounted police, transferred
him TO police headquarters.
King Alfonso was first to tell of
what he lightly called the incident
which caused delay" to Queen Vic
toria and the dOwager queen. Maria
Christina, who were greatly alarmed
The king smiling'y allayed their fears
He had hardly been back in the
palace ten minutes when an immense
clamOr arose. The two squares on
which the palace looks were black
with people Of all classes desirous Of
showing their joy at the kings safety
and their admiration for his bravery.
The king went to the balcony and ac-
knoWledged the cheers and then
sought the queen and the two stood
bowling to the throngs fcr several min
utes.
The police Investigations have es-
tabliShed that Allegro was recently
expelled from France as an anarchist.
after which he went to Barcelona. He
came To Madrid a month ago and
obtained employment in carpenter
shop. He worked there until Friday.
1t Is said that during his first ex-
animation Allegro declared that on
seeing the king pass he was seized
with a sudden evil impulse and hav-
ing a revolver in his pocket drew it
out.
woman said to he associated with
Allegro was arrested tonight
y curious coincidence is found in
the fact that the Spanish premier,
Count R"manones, 'ast night declared
Z" b" absolutely without foundation
rumors circulated regarding the pos