A Shadow of Gloom

CAST OVER NORFOLK BY THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION
——
Of President McKinley—As Soon as the First Telegram Was Received Large
Crowds Congregated Around the Bulletin Boards and Denounced the
Dastardly Act—Scenes Around the City.

     A shadow of gloom was cast over this city yesterday afternoon, when a brief bulletin was received by The Landmark stating that an assassin attempted to assassinate President McKinley while he was holding a public reception in the Exposition grounds in Buffalo. As soon as the bulletin, which was the first received in Norfolk, was put on the board a large crowd collected and stood around and condemned the action of the villainous crank who attempted to rob the nation of its Chief Executive. When the report was shortly afterwards confirmed the indignation of the crowd burst forth like a tidal wave and the terrible deed that perhaps was planned in the brain of an anarchist was condemned. In half an hour Main street was thronged with excited people, and Extras containing details of the attempted assassination were eagerly purchased.
     Late in the afternoon, when the business houses closed and the thousands of people in this city ceased work for the day, the crowd around The Landmark’s bulletin board was greatly augmented and many would not leave their places of vantage in the crowd until they had learned positively that the nation’s Chief Magistrate was not dead.
     Several times it was reported that President McKinley had passed away, but this terrible news was soon denied and the many sympathizers in this city of Mr. McKinley were greatly relieved. As bulletins continued to come in during the evening the anxiety of the people increased, and until after midnight the telephones in newspaper offices were kept continuously ringing.
     By all people, irrespective of class, the greatest sorrow was expressed, and suppressed excitement and the fact that Mr. McKinley still lives is all that kept the people of this city from openly denouncing their indignation at the act of an assassin.
     After the theatre last evening many people anxiously inquired about the President’s condition as soon as the performance was over, and at several places around the city newspaper bulletins were posted.