ON THE LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON

On January 30, 1835, President Jackson had attended the funeral ceremonies over the body of Warren R. Davis, Member of Congress from South Carolina, in the hall of the House of Representatives, and was passing through the great rotunda to the exit when a man stepped forth from the crowd and pointed a pistol at the President's breast, pulling the trigger. The cap exploded, but without igniting the charge. The assailant then produced a second pistol, which acted, however, like the first. Levi Woodbury, the Secretary of the Treasury, who was walking with General Jackson, seized the man, and with the aid of others overpowered him.

The would-be murderer was immediately turned over to the marshal of the District, and was taken before Chief-Justice Cranch, who at once held an examination. The prisoner, one Richard Lawrence, a workman, declined to make any explanation of his action.

"Old Hickory" was inclined to believe that his political enemies, of which he had many, had plotted to take his life, but it soon became apparent that Lawrence had no accomplices, and, indeed, that he was insane. He believed himself to be the King of Great Britain and of this country also, wrongfully deprived of his rights. His trial, which took place on April 11th, 1835, lasted one single day. The jury, in five minutes, returned a verdict of not guilty, basing it on the ground that Lawrence was insane.

Had the assassin succeeded, he would undoubtedly have suffered the penalty of his crime.

ASSASSINATIONS

FAMOUS IN MODERN HISTORY

Paul, Czar of Russia, killed by Russian nobles on March 24, 1801.

Napoleon I., Emperor of France, on Dec. 24, 1800, attempt by means of an infernal machine.

Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, attempt on January 30, 1835.

Napoleon III., Emperor of France, three attempts, the last by Orsini, on Jan. 14, 1858.

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, shot by John Wilkes Booth, on April 14, 1865.

Prince Bismarck, attempt by Blind on May 7, 1866, and by Kullmann, on July 13, 1874.

William I., King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, attempts by Becker, on July 14, 1861; by Hoedel, on May 11, 1878; by Nobiling, on June 2, 1878. Abdul Azij, Sultan of Turkey, killed by Turkish officers, on June 4, 1876.

Alexander II., Czar of Russia, after five unsuccessful attempts, killed by means of a bomb, on March 13, 1881.

James A. Garfield, President of the United States, shot by Charles J. Guiteau, on July 2, 1881.

Marie Francois Carnot, President of France, killed on June 24, 1894, by an anarchist, Cesare Santo. Humbert, King of Italy, killed on July 29, 1900, by Bresci.

William McKinley, President of the United States, shot at Buffalo, by Czolgosz, on Sept. 6, 1901.