DASTARDLY ATTACK ON PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.

Lake County Press, Issue 979, 12 September 1901, Page 5

DASTARDLY ATTACK ON PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.

Mr William McKinley, President of the United States, was shot while holding a reception in the Temple of Music of the exibition building in Buffalo, New York State, while shaking hands with his would-be assassin. Mr McKinley was holding a reception when his assailant, approaching offered to shake hands and fired a revolver concealed in a handkerchief in his left hand. The President, falling into the arms of a detective, naked “Am I shot 1” Soldiers and police prevented the bystanders lynching the prisoner, whose name is stated to be Fred Tiernan, of Polish nationality. Tiernan declared that he was an Anarchist and had done his duty. Tha assassin has been identified as Leon Czolgosz, born in Detroit, and his age is 28. When rescued from the crowd his face was cut and covered with blood. While being arrested he wrenched his hand free and tried to again lire at McKinley, but was disj.; med. Tin*. President walked to a chair and hut dow n, trying to reassmo inquirers

by declaring that he was not badly hurt. He expressed regret that the incident might possibly result in injury to the Exhibition, and begged them not to alarm Mrs McKinley. Seeing Czolgosz struggling Mr McKinley said . “ Let no one hurt him.” The physicians report that one bulbt glanced off* the upper b>east bone without penetrating. The other bulletpenetrated five inches below the left nipple, one and half inch to the left of the median line. The openings in the walls of the stomach were closed with silk satures, without damage. The intestines and other abdominal organs are not injured and the President's general condition justifies hopes of las recovery. The Continental press is horrorstruck ; the Soicalist organs are silent. The various royalties, Prosiden Loubet and the Pope have condoled with Mrs M'Kinley. Detective Ireland, who was standing opposite M'Kinley, watched Czolgosz approach. He is an innocentlooking boyish-faced fellow and was perfectly calm. An Italian, who preceded him stayed before the President until detective Ireland pushed him along. When releasing Mr M'Kinley’s hand Czolgosz straightened himself, his face assumed a scornful contemptuous look, and he fired at Mr. McKinley, who remained standing three minutes. When the ambulance officers opened his vest they felt around his breast and he asked the detective if something just under his skin was not a bullet, when this was confirmed the President said, “ Well, we got one anyway, ” and then fainted. Czolgosz’s step-mother asserts that he left home two months ago, and went to Indiana. He wrote that perhaps he wauld never see the family agein. He was discontented, too weak to work, a big coward—afraid of his own shadow. The maximum pemalty for Czolgosz’s crime is ten years’ imprisonment unless Mr. McKinley dies. What started Czolgosz’s croze to kill was a lecture by Miss Emma Goldman at Cleveland, declaring that all rulers should be exterminated. The prisoner came to Buffalo vaguely resolving to do something heroic. A resolution to shoot the President seiz-d him, and on Tuesday proved irresistible. He bought a -30 calibre revolver and was several times near Mr McKinley on subsequent days, but the great con course made him afraid that if arrested he might lose his chance. He therefoie concealed the pistol in a handkerchief and waited in thetirst line of spectators in the Temple of Music, facing Mr McKinley. He trembled until he came right up to him and shot through the handkerchief. He intended to kill. He admits being an Anarchist and a disciple of Miss Goldman, but was not connected with those who sent Bresci to Italy. The physicians have authorised Mr Roosevelt to announce their belief that the President will recover. Prayers for his recovery were general in all the churches in America, Canada, Great Britain and continental resorts. Later. An official bulletin says Mr M'Kinley is steadily improving, and that there are no unfavorable symptoms. Dr M'Burney considers complications possible for a week yet ; only then will he be able to say that the President is out of danger.