befallen him. He said that he could not conceive of any sort of motive for such an inexcusable deed, and he was severe in his denunciation of anarchists. He asked why they were permitted

to hatch such plots as this in a Republic where the people could readily change their President if they were in the slightest degree dissatisfied with his official conduct or his private personality. In conclusion, almost with tears, he expressed the hope that the President would speedily recover from his terrible injury.

It was somewhat gratifying to the officials at Washington that the very first expression of official sympathy should come from the Island of Cuba, in the shape of the following telegram :

"September 6, 1901. Received at War Department 7.45 P.M. Havana. Adjutant General. Washington.

Mayor and City Council of Havana have called, expressing sorrow and solicitude for the President and desire that his family be advised of these expressions.

His

MR. ROOSEVELT GREATLY AFFECTED. Vice-President Roosevelt received the news by telephone first at Isle La Motte. He turned pale and trembled violently. first words were:-"I am so inexpressibly shocked, horrified and grieved that I cannot find words to express my feelings." At a second bulletin he said :-"Like all other people and like the whole civilized world, you will be overjoyed to hear the good news that the President will recover."

Upon his arrival at Burlington, Mr. Roosevelt was met by a crowd of messenger boys and reporters. He eagerly read the messages relating to the President's condition, but made no remarks. To the newspaper men he said: "I am so shocked and grieved that I cannot make a statement. There is nothing for me to say; I shall go to-night to Senator Proctor's home and from there direct to Buffalo."

When asked if several newspaper men might accompany him, he refused, saying it would be a desecration under the circumstances, Mr. Roosevelt boarded the special car "Grand Isle,"

owned by President Clement, of the Rutland road, and accompanied by President Clement and Senator Proctor left at 8.35 for Proctor. From there arrangements were made for a special train to Buffalo, and he arrived the next morning.

When the news of the President's injuries was announced by Senator Proctor at Isle La Motte, where the annual meeting of the Fish and Game League of Vermont was being held, a moan went up from the crowd and the reception which was in progress was stopped.

"TOO HORRIBLE TO CONTEMPLATE."

Upon being informed at the Union Club, of Cleveland, of the assassination of the President, Senator Hanna was astounded and refused to believe it. A little later, after reading a telegram, he said, with tears in his eyes :

"I have just received a message from the Associated Press and I am forced to believe that the rumor is true. I cannot say anything about it. It is too horrible to even contemplate. To think that such a thing could happen to so splendid a man as McKinley, and at this time and upon such an occasion. It is horrible, awful. McKinley never had any fear of danger from that source. Of course, I never talked to him upon such a subject, but I knew he never even dreamed of anything like this happening. I can't be interviewed upon this, it is too awful."

The Senator made immediate preparations to leave for Buffalo. Shortly after 4 o'clock he left the Union Club and boarded a street car for his office, on Superior street. When he reached the street he was stopped and surrounded by excited citizens, who wanted to know if the rumors were true that the President had been shot at Buffalo. "Yes, I am afraid it is too true," replied the Senator, as he pushed his way through the crowd. On the car the same questions were asked by every one. The Senator answered all questions politely, but refused to enter into conversation with any one. Most of the time he sat with bowed head, deep in sorrow.

To a reporter who accompanied him he turned suddenly in

the car and exclaimed: "What is this great country coming to when such men as Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley fall by the bullet of assassins? Oh, it is fearful, dreadful, horrible! I shall hurry to the bedside of the President as rapidly as the train will take me. I only hope that he is not seriously injured, but I am afraid that my hopes will be in vain. I do want to reach the President before he dies, if he is going to die. Nobody can be safe from the work of an insane man, it seems. It is terrible." As the

Senator boarded a car tears were streaming down his face.

United States Senator Cullom, who was in Chicago on the day of the shooting, was greatly affected when he heard the news.

DENOUNCED BY THE ILLINOIS SENATOR.

"I can hardly believe the announcement," he said, after a time. 'That was a dastardly attack, and the man who committed the act should have been punished right there. It is the most horrible crime imaginable. The nation could hardly afford to lose President McKinley, and it would be awful to see a man of so many admirable qualities cut down thus at the height of his career. He is a great man and a great President. He is nearer the hearts of the great body of the people than any other ruler since Lincoln.

"Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield and William McKinley were the three Presidents most thoroughly in sympathy, apparently, with the great body of the common people of the country, that we have had since the beginning of our Constitutional Government. Mr. Lincoln was assassinated in the early part of his second term; Mr. Garfield during the first few months of his first term, and an attempt has been made to assassinate President McKinley in the early part of his second term. It seems strange to my mind that such a fate should befall such men-men who were all generous to a fault, and who were faithfully performing the great duties of their high office.

"No man was of a more kindly nature than President McKinley. His heart beat in unison with the great body of the people of the country, and of the world. His sole purpose was

to do his duty, to take care that the laws should be faithfully executed, and that the country should go on in its career of growth and prosperity, and yet he seems to have shared the fate of those great men who have gone before him.

"I sincerely hope he may recover to carry out his purpose in the interest of the United States Government, and of the people, to the end of his official term, and be allowed to retire, as he has unqualifiedly expressed his purpose to do, when his term shall expire. There can be no question that he has made one of the greatest Presidents of the United States. His name will be linked closely with that of Washington and Lincoln, and deservedly so. Even on yesterday he delivered an address to the people at the Exposition which is full of wisdom, and showed that his whole heart and life were absorbed by a desire to do what was best for his own country, not forgetting the other nations of the world. It will be a great thing for the United States, and for the world, if he shall be spared. If he shall be taken away, it is my sincere hope and prayer that the policies of President McKinley during his term shall be continued.”

1

CHAPTER XI.

Mrs. McKinley Hears the Appalling News-The Nation Bowed with Grief-Europe Aghast at the Diabolical Crime.

MRS.

RS. MCKINLEY received the news of the assassination with the utmost courage. Because of the fear that the announcement might injuriously affect her health, it was deemed desirable to postpone as long as possible the breaking of the sad When informed, however, of the attacks on her husband,

news.

she exhibited remarkable fortitude.

After the President was cared for at the Exposition grounds, Director General W. I. Buchanan started for the Milburn home to forestall any information that might reach there by telephone or otherwise. Luckily, he was first to arrive with the information. The Niagara Falls trip had tired Mrs. McKinley, and on returning to the Milburn home she took leave of her nieces, the Misses Barber and Miss Duncan, as well as their hostess, Mrs. Milburn, and went to her room to rest.

Mr. Buchanan broke the news as gently as possible to the nieces, and consulted with them and Mrs. Milburn as to the best course to pursue in informing Mrs. McKinley. It was finally decided that on awakening, or shortly thereafter, Mr. Buchanan should tell her, if in the meantime her physician, Dr. Rixey, had not arrived. Mrs. McKinley awoke from her sleep at about 5.30 o'clock. She was feeling splendidly, she said, and at once took up her crocheting, which is one of her favorite diversions.

Immediately on Mr. Buchanan's arrival at the Milburn home he had telephonic communication therewith cut off, for already there had been several calls, and he decided on this as the wisest course to pursue, lest Mrs. McKinley, hearing the continued ringing of the 'phone bell might inquire what it meant. While the light of day remained, Mrs. McKinley continued with her