GLEN COVE, L. I., N.Y., July 3, 1915 (UP) - John Pierpont Morgan, the financier, was shot at his summer home here shortly before 9 o'clock to-day.
The would-be assassin, apparently of German descent, who refused to give his name or any account of himself, pushed aside the butler at the Morgan home with two revolvers, one in each hand. He pushed immediately into Morgan's presence and after an exchange of words opened fire with a 32-caliber revolver.
The first shot entered Morgan's groin and came out at the hip.
The second shot went wild and before a third could be fired, Morgan closed in on his assailant. He grappled with him and with the butler's assistance disarmed the would-be assassin.
The man struggled desperately to escape and succeeded once in breaking away, but was recaptured before he could get out of the house.
He was turned over to the Glen Cove police by attachees of the Morgan household.
The report was in circulation for some time before it was confirmed in the brief statement issued from the Morgan offices in Wall street. It seemed evident that the Morgan interests were determined to hold back the confirmation as long as possible, for obvious reasons. The report traveled so swiftly through the financial district, however, that this was impossible.
The only explanation offered by the Morgan firm was that the man who fired the shot was supposedly a crank.
The members of the firm refused any definite information as to the extent of Morgan's injury, other than the brief statement of the physicians.
The man under arrest, who gave every appearance of being a tramp, refused all inquiries as to his mane, business and home. Preparations were immediately made for putting the prisoner through a sweating process.
At the Morgan home, it was reported by some of the servants that both shots had taken effect. Confirmation of this by any member of the family was not obtained, but it was stated that the report of the physicians would be given out about noon. A preliminary statement quoted the doctors as saying that the wounds were not serious.
"I am willing to give my life for the service I have rendered to humanity. Morgan should be killed. He started the war and could stop it if he wanted to."
This statement was made by the man who shot J. P. Morgan to-day, according to Justice Luyster, of Glen Cove. Justice Luyster detailed his talk with the prisoner in a statement to the United Press as follows:
"When I first asked him about the shooting, he replied: 'I am too dignified to discuss the matter.'
"I asked him if he had any accomplices and he replied: 'No one was in this but me and God Almighty. I had no other accomplice.'
The prisoner is about 30 years old and spoke with a distinct German accent. He is tall, very thin, and dark. He wore dark clothes and was very well dressed.
"The statement that he looks like a tramp is incorrect. I do not think he was a tramp at all.
"I asked him if he was a Jew and he replied : 'No, I am a Christian gentleman! I am insulted at your remarks. You have no right to assume such an attitude toward a prisoner.'"
The prisoner had two suitcases containing miscellaneous quantities of clothes and personal effects. The justice stated that when he was searched two sticks of dynamite were taken from the inside pockets of his vest.
Justice Luyster said the man also had a bottle which he believed contained nitro-glycerine.
The man had the two revolvers with which he forced his way into the Morgan home.
The would-be assassin arrived at Glen Cove this morning and hired an auto driven by Matt Kramer, who took him to "East Island," the Morgan estate. At the gateway of the estate he dismissed the driver and said that he would walk in.
Kramer said he saw the man go up the steps and ring the bell, but did not wait any longer.
In court Kramer told Justice Luyster that he identified the prisoner as a man who came to Glen Cove two days ago and hired him to drive him about. Kramer said he asked to be driven around the Morgan place several times and was openly interested in it, remarking:
"I don't believe I will get out to-day. I will come back another time."
When the servants at the Morgan house had overpowered the man, he was taken in charge by Constable Frank McCahill, who filed a charge of felonious assault against him before Justice Luyster. The judge said that all efforts to get any definite statement from the prisoner were unsuccessful. In the pockets of the prisoner, however, were found several local railroad tickets from Texas and northwestern points.
Justice Luyster summoned Dr. J. S. Connolly, who examined the prisoner and said there was no doubt he was mentally unbalanced.
