Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1893 — SHOOTING ON ’CHANGE [ARTICLE]

SHOOTING ON ’CHANGE

CASSIUS BELDEN FIRES AMONG THE BROKERS. Deed of a Lunatic, Who Is Arrested—Wile Scene Ensues Traders Trample Over Bach Other Grand Trunk Wreck in Bellevue, Mich. Three People Wounded. A man, presumably crazy, created a panic on the Chicago Board of Trade thp other morning, completely clearing the trading floor and stopping all business by indulging in a wild fusillade of pistol-shots, aimed first at the ceiling and later at the excited, struggling throng of traders on the floor below him. It happened at about 11:45. Business at that time was progressing as usual. Suddenly the babel of cries from the pits was punctuated by the sharp crack of a pistol. Instantly every one turned toward the south gallery, from which the sound proceeded. A stranger was standing in the gallery with a pistol in his hand. After the first shot he turned his weapon toward the crowd and, in rapid succession, fired four times. One bullet struck Ammi T. Bennett in the neck, inflicting a painful and perhaps dangerous wound. Charles Roswell, a telegraph operator, was struck by another bullet. Mr. Bennett, who was wounded by a shot, was formerly President of the Board of Trade Insurance Exchange. Though there were from fifteen to twenty other visitors in the south gallery, no attempt was made by them to overpower the shooter or stop the deadly fusillade, and he was not interfered with until Tom Barrett, a broker, recovering from the panic which had overtaken the traders, rushed up stairs and grappled with the supposed maniac. A negro named Joe ran up and helped Mr. Barrett overpower the fellow. When the shooter was subjugated he was hustled into a side room, and for a few moments the wildest excitement prevailed about the building. It was said that two or three men had been killed and among the rumors tossed about was one that the angry brokers were preparing to storm the room whore the shooter was confined and lynch him. The police soon arrived on the scene, however, and took the man to the Harrison street station. The man who did the shooting gave the name of Cassius Belden, of 395 La Salle avenue. Chicago.