Sousa Grieved Over the News

Knew McKinley Well and Tells of the Injured Statesman.

     Among the many friends of President McKinley, no one feels more keenly the attempt upon his life than John Philip Sousa, who is now giving a series of concerts at the exposition. Mr. Sousa is well acquainted with Mr. McKinley, having been leader of the Marine band at the time Mr. McKinley was in congress. Not until Mr. Sousa had finished his second afternoon concert Friday did he learn of the attempted assassination. He says:
     “I was inexpressably [sic] shocked at the sad tidings, and could at first hardly credit the news. I knew President McKinley when he was a member of congress. I was at that time leader of the Marine band. I had then and have still the highest admiration and respect for him as a man and a statesman. The last time I saw him was about a year before his election, in St. Louis. I gave a concert there, at an exposition, and he attended. That was the last time I saw him. How any one should have any reason for taking the life of the president I cannot understand. All I can do is to hope with every man, woman and child in the land that he will live.”