Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1898 — EMPRESS IS SLAIN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EMPRESS IS SLAIN.

MAD ANARCHIST STABS ELIZABETH OF AUSTRIA. Assassin Met His Victim as She Was Walking to a Steamboat at Geneva —Emperor Prostrated and Europe Alarmed at the Crime. 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 who rushed up to her and struck her. The Empress fell, but staggered to her f?et and started on again for the boat, believing herself unhurt. She reached the steanjboat, 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 tile steamer returned to the pier. Her majesty was taken ashore at opce and carried t 5 fefr hotel, where sn6 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, aud proved to be an Italian anarchist named Luchheni, who said that he was born in Paris. The Empress had been sojourning in Switzerland since the last week of August. The assassination of the Empress Elizabeth paralyzed all classes throughout the Austrian empire. To court and people it is a stunning blow that has driven into the background all perplexing political questions. The news of the murder caused numerous anti-Italian demonstrations in Vienna, especially on the Franzenplatz 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 Schoenbrunn went mad on hearing the tragic news, and arming herself with a knife rushed out into the

crowded 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 Schoenbrunfi. The latter, whom he found in his study, turned w'hite 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, his nephew, Franz Ferdinand, and his sole surviving brother. Archduke Ludwig Victor.

EMPRESS ELIZABETH.

EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH.