Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1898 — EMPRESS IS SLAIN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EMPRESS IS SLAIN.

MAO ANARCHIST STABS ELIZABETH OF AUSTRIA. Assassin Met His Victim ati She Was Walking to a Steamboat at Geneva —Emperor Prostrated and Europe Alarmed at tfie Crime. r ■ The Empress Elizabeth of Austria Was assassinated at Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, as her majesty was leaving for Montreaux, where she intended to stay for some time. She left her hotel for the steamboat at 12:45 o’clock in the afternoon. On her way from the hotel to the pier she was assailed by a man wio rushed up to her and struck her. The Empress fell, but staggered to'her fegt and started on again for the boat, believing herself unhurt. She reached the steamboat, which the captain, after

some hesitation, ordered to proceed, only doing so, however, at the command of her majesty. Shortly after the boat put off the Empress fainted and the steamer returned to the pier. Her majesty n-as taken ashore at once and carried to licr hotel, where she expired a little later without regaining consciousness. It was then found she had been stabbed and that the assassin’s stiletto had reached her heart. The assassin was arrested, and proved to be an Italian anarchist,-named Luchheni, who said that he was born in Paris. The Empress bad been sojourning in Switzerland since the last u-eek of August. The assassination of the Empress Elizabeth paralyzed all classes throughout the Austrian empire. To court and people it is a stunning blou- that has driven into the background all perplexing political questions. The news of the murder caused numerous anti-Italian demonstrations in Vienna, especially ou the Franzcnplatz in the hofburg. “Italians take away our bread and then murder our Empress!” was a cry frequently heard. A court servant attached to the service of the Empress at Sehoenbrunn wont mad on hearing the tragic news, aud arming herself with a knife rushed out into the

cronded park, screaming: “Where is the murderer of our beloved Empress?” General Adjutant Count Paab carried the news of the tragedy to Emperor: Franz Joseph at Sehoenbrunn. The latter, whom he found in his study, turned white and stood speechless at the announcement. Then sinking into his chair the Emperor burst into a paroxysm of grief. Locking himself in, he denied himself to all members of his household until the arrival of the heir apparent, liis nephew, Franz Ferdinand, and his sole surviving brother, Archduke Ludwig Victor.

EMPRESS ELIZABETH.

EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH.