Our region has been fortunate to have the services of some extraordinary clergymen over the years.  One of them, Rev. William U. Kistler, served his congregation from 1904 to 1950.  The long-time pastor of St. Marks Church in

Among the small crowd in Miami, Florida's Bayfront Park listening to president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 15, 1933 was St. Marks Church Pastor William U. Kistler.  He and several other local residents witnessed the assassination attempt.

Pennsburg was also a well traveled.

            He enjoyed sharing the stories of his travels with the people of the community.  Most of them were told with tongue-in-cheek humor, like the time two local friends joined him on a botanical trip to Virginia during World War I.  When the Pennsylvanians were overhead speaking the Pennsylvania-Dutch dialect, the locals assumed they were German spies who were intent on blowing up the local reservoir.  But one of his trips also made him a witness to other, near tragic events. 

            There was one incident Rev. Kistler witnessed that seems to be missing from many history books - the attempted assassination of President –elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt, just weeks before his inauguration.

            In the 1932 election, Franklin Delano Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover for

Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, left, and President elect Franklin Deleno Roosevelt.  Due to the crippling effects of polio, Roosevelt often gave short speeches from inside his car.

the Presidency by more than 7 million popular votes, with a 472-59 count in the Electoral College.  He was to be sworn in at inaugural ceremonies in March of 1933.

            In February, just one month before taking office, Roosevelt was traveling through Florida, and scheduled a brief visit at Miami's Bayfront Park.

            In addition to being the senior pastor at Saint Mark's Church at the time, Rev. Kistler also served the congregations at Saint John's Church in Spinnerstown, and Zion Hill Church in Lehigh County.

            It just so happens that Rev. Kistler and his wife Emily, along with local residents Ella and Ethel Hillegass were on a bus trip to Miami at the time.  The Pastor heard about the scheduled Roosevelt visit and he and his wife made their way to the park to get a glimpse of the soon-to-be president.

            While Kistler and his wife were filled with excitement at the chance to see and hear Roosevelt someone else was plotting his murder.

            It was reported that on February 13, 1933 Italian immigrant Guiseppe Zangara purchased a .32 caliber pistol at a local drugstore.  He planned to take a bus to Washington D.C. the next day.  On his way to the bus station he read a newspaper headline reporting that Roosevelt would be visiting in Miami and making a speech at Bayfront Park on February 15th.  Zangara changed his travel plans.

            It was just after 9:a.m. on the 15^th when Roosevelt arrived at the park in a blue Buick.  Roosevelt was afflicted with polio and as he often did, he remained inside the car while he gave a short speech.

            Rev. Kistler was among the well-wishers that crowded near the vehicle.  Also in the crowd was Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak.  The 5-foot Zangara had trouble getting close to the car so he climbed a nearby wooden chair, and from 12 feet away he fired 5 shots in the direction of the Buick.

             In a note sent home to his son, Rev. Henry Kistler, the elder Pastor stated the local group was present when the shots were fired and that he "never saw such a shocked crowd of people."

            Zangara's shots missed the president-elect, but hit five other people.  Among those struck was Cermak.  Roosevelt cradled the seriously injured mayor in his arms as his car sped to the hospital.

            In his note to his son, Rev. Kistler also reported that his party was on hand later in the day and "saw Roosevelt when his train left for New York."

            Cermak died on March 3, 1933 and Zangara was convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.  He expressed no remorse except that he failed to kill Roosevelt. 

            On March 20, 1933 Zangara walked to the electric chair, unaided and not afraid.  Accounts report that, in broken English, his last words were, "Lousy capitalists.  No picture.  Capitalists.  No one here to take my picture.  All capitalists are lousy bunch of crooks.  Go ahead, push the button."  The guard then pulled the switch.

            Guiseppe Zangara was buried in an unmarked grave at the Florida State Penitentiary.