[untitled]
W learn
from an American paper that there is in existence a complete cinetoscope
record of the Buffalo crime. During Mr. McKinley’s visit to the
Buffalo Exhibition he was pretty constantly within range of the
cinematograph, and a series of moving pictures of the President’s
doings were taken almost up to the moment of his assassination.
It is thought (says the journal in question) that some of these
pictures may disclose the presence of Czolgosz’s accomplices. At
a private exhibition given a few days ago at the Edison manufactory,
when the panorama of the President making his speech was [626][627]
shown for the first time, a discovery of much value was made. Among
the great press of people, one face and one figure stands out with
a startling distinctness. It is Czolgosz, who was then intent upon
killing the President. Prints of the films are being made and enlarged
for the use of the Secret Service. The first series of pictures
shows the entrance upon the platform of Mr. McKinley and the surging
of the vast crowd as he begins his address. A man is seen to fight
his way desperately towards the platform. Several men in his path
turn round angrily, but he gets through, and faces the all-seeing
eye of the camera, which shows him to be Czolgosz. Only for a fraction
of a second does he stand still; then again he begins to move forward.
The cinetoscope pictures his movements exactly as he makes his way
to the very foot of the stand. Again he turns his face towards the
machine. This time he looks wild and excited; his Derby hat is pulled
down over his eyes, but as he raises his head he can be easily distinguished.
For some seconds he gazes about the crowd in search of someone,
or awaiting a signal. He is now within a few feet of the President,
and could readily have shot him. Thousands of other persons are
in the pictures, but, unfortunately, most of them have their backs
turned to the camera. The dress and features of many who turned
just as Czolgosz did are accurately caught, and their faces are
shown in the picture. The pictures end as the President closes his
speech, and Czolgosz is lost. The pictures of the President on the
day he was shot showed many thousands constantly crowding about
him or following him from place to place. The faces are almost all
discernible, and if there are any Anarchists known to the police
among them they will be recognised. These films will, perhaps, soon
be on exhibition in London, when we hope to see them, but until
we do, we we [sic] shall take the above news—like we take similar
items from the American press—with a grain of sodium chloride.
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