The Night a Bullet Whistled Through the Vice President’s Window

A dramatic incident that has never until now been publicly told involves a narrow escape by the then-Vice President Chester A. Arthur during his visit to Seattle. On a quiet evening, a journalist and a senator were in a room at a hotel discussing public affairs. The room was lighted only by the moon, and the two men talked in subdued tones. Suddenly, there was a flash of light from the window, a sharp report, and a bullet hissed through the air and embedded itself in the wall behind them. The waiting carriage horse startled in the street, and footsteps were heard hurrying away. When the journalist jumped to his feet, the senator grabbed his arm and whispered, 'Don't move.' 'That man is gone,' said the journalist. 'Nothing of the kind,' said Senator Jones. 'Make no alarm. That villain must not be caught now, and no one must hear of this attempt lest others should be led to imitate it.' The senator explained that a man had been misled by reckless newspaper publications into believing Mr. Arthur was responsible for his personal ruin, and that this 'crank' had fired into the room believing the Vice President was standing there. The event was kept a secret to prevent copycat attempts, and the story remained buried until years later.