Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1897 — FEARS FOR M'KINLEY. [ARTICLE]

FEARS FOR M'KINLEY.

Letter of Warninar Received by the Mayor of Columbns. One incident of the President’s visit to Columbus and the Ohio State fair was manufactured into a sensation. //This was the report of a plot to assas:flnate the Chief Executive in the capital of his native State. A few days ago Mayor Black received through the mails an anonymous letter, reading as follows: “Be on yojir guard. There is a plot against McKinley to make way with him because he appointed Powderly. This plot is not in favor of anarchy. They are for organized labor and against monopoly.” It was believed that the letter was written either by some crank or by a practical joker, but Mayor Black deemed it wise to take every precaution looking to the President’s safety. The result was that during his stay the' President was very closely guarded by the police authorities of the‘city. All the detectives belonging to the local force with the visiting sleuths from other cities Were detailed to act as a special bodyguard, and upon the arrival of the Presidents’ train the officers in plain clothes surrounded the President and escorted him to his carriage, on either side of which when the parade moved marched four detectives and the chief of police himself. No one was allowed to approach the vehicle during the parade and upon the arrival of the party at the hotel the police formed a cordon clear to the elevator through which the President passed. During the reception and during all the subsequent exercises of the day the President found detectives constantly at his Felbows. He observed the extraordinary •vigilance of the police and finally asked an explanation, which was given him by Mayor Black, who also showed him the letter. The President merely observed that he did not believe anyone wanted to do him harm. However, he warmly thanked the Mayor and Director Williams for the precautions they had taken to conserve his safety.