Nevada Appeal at 150: June 29, 1914: Crown Prince of Austria and wife slain by crazed student

June 29, 1914

Crown Prince of Austria and wife slain by crazed student

Sarajevo, June 29 — Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and his morganatic wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated yesterday while driving through the streets of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. A youthful Servian student fired the shots which added another to the long list of tragedies that has darkened the reign of Emperor Francis Joseph.

The archduke and his wife were victims of the second attempt on the same day against their lives.

First, a bomb was thrown at the automobile in which they were driving to the town hall. Forewarned, however, of a possible attempt against his life, the archduke was watchful and struck the missile aside with his arm. It fell under an automobile which carried members of his suite.

On their return from the town hall the archduke and duchess were driving to the hospital when the Servian, Gavrio Prinzip, darted at the car and fired a volley at the occupants. His aim was true, for the archduke and his wife were mortally wounded. With them at the time was the governor of the city, who escaped injury. The bodies of his murdered companions collapsed across him and protected him from stray bullets.

The governor shouted to the chauffeur to rush to the palace at top speed. Physicians were in prompt attendance, but their services were useless as the archduke and his wife were dead before the palace was reached.

This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.