The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-19
LEETE'S FEARS.
The New Orleans Witness Haunted
by Imaginary Foes.
HE OPENS FIRE ON THEM.
Strange Scene in a Corridor or
the Aston House.

John e. Lcete the recent distinguished witness be-
fore the Potter Investigating Committee, was last
evening arrested at tae Aston House, complaint
OF The clerk In charge, and locked mp In q cell In the
precinct station, corner OF Liberty
and New Church streets. The charge preferred
against him dsorderly conduct ami assault, in
hiring revolver through the closed door Of his room
Mt persons who had answered his bell
Mr.. Vonieer tine clerk in charge of the desk ut the
Astor House. gave the following statement OF the
Ana,r:-Mr Leete came in here about nine O'Clock,
and, having registered his name. requested a room.
l gave h m No. 225. the second floor. He HAD not
been up stars many minutes when he rang the bell
One OF the hall boys answered the bell, and on going
TO the found the door locked. Leetc asked him
from the inside side If he the proprietor Of
the hotel and the boy told him that he not
Lsete then said that he wanted to see the Chief oil
Police or a newspaper reporter; that there par
ties after h account OF what he had testified be-
fore the Potter COMMITTEE, and that they had better
look out, he was prepared to shoot. The boy &C
cordingiy came down stairs again Shortly afterward
the bell rang again, and this time II was answered
by another boy. to whom Leete told the same story.
then took Detective McWiliiams up to the room
with me- and arriving at the door asked Leetc
what he wanted. He said there parties after
him and he was prepared to shoot l asked him to
open the and in the corridor and let me
bpeak to him, whereupon he fired. The ball passed
through the door, and striking against the opposite wall
rcbounded and fell the dctective's foot. then
sent to Captain Saunders asking that the man be
taken OF the hotel, Three officers came. and they
went at once his ana ordered Leete
10 unlock his door. This he refused
10, and fred two shots In succession, the
bullets passing through the door and striking
against the wall Just the oficers were about TO
force entrance Leete opened the door, and, see
Ing the in uniform, Immediately dropped his
pistol. The officers then took him TO the station
house l do not believe That the man intoxi-
Gated, and at loss 10 account Tor his singular con-
DUCT
At half.past ten the HERALD reporter interviewed
Mr. Leete the station house. He was at rst very
much excited and fatty refused TO make any expiana-
lion OF the occurrence but aferward. on beng per-
United oy the ohcer IN charge 10 leave MS cen ana
walk about the obov, became more composed, ana bit
by bit furnished the following information
LEETES sTATEMENr.
II seems that the ordeal he passed through as
witness and the testimony which he has given al
ready together with other that ne mas IN reserve had
preyed upon his mind. For ten nights he had been
unable to sleep, and ho became impressed with tho
idea 10 being Swallowed by detectives EN-
pioyed by interested republicans aod democrats.
"At least, said Lcetc nj I'm not watch cd know
hat ought TO be, II the parties know their bus
ness -
.'wha. was the object of your being shadowod, so
far a you imagine ln asked the reporter.
"Everythng-anything. don't know, " be replied, |
txcitedly. "a felt sale. feared there was
design TO get possession Of my private diary-a book
that is just now invaluable TO me and which certain
parties woula like 10 get hold OF"
He expressed himself as being fearful that he would
be put out Of the way encciuaiiy. and being con-
WINGED that he was in more or less danger from some
unknown quarter he determined to seek projection.
IN SEARCH
In this frame OF mind he yesterday morning before |
sreakastng, procesded 10 the Sun office TO And Mr..
Gibson, the spondent OF that paper
Who, he said had instigated his appearance before
The Potter Committee.
The correspondent was not at the Office He then |
look Fourth avenue car with the intention OF cali
ing on Colonel FELTON, son-in-iaw OF Mr. Tiloen, re
nding opposite Gramercy PARK. Being a compara.
ave stranger In the city ne asked the conductor TO
phow him locality but that indifferent Junction
ry forgot the equest him some distance
ibove his destinaon THIS fact made him pcous.
He fapcied that the conductor was emissary of
his enemies In disguise. On arriving Mr.. Tifden's
residence he disco that Colonel Pslton had gone
TO Long Branch. He then boarded a Broad way car,
for the purpose OF visiting Mr. Manton Marble, on |
Fifth avenue The conductors manner impressed |
him unfavorably, aud he concluded that Ike
his conrrere Of The Fourth avenue line he was |
\. G. mo goodL He aiiehtcd at the Rossmore |
Broadway. and. ieeling hunsry. entered the |
res aura and de anded some soup. Crab soup
served In styIs and promptly His appetite then sug-
gested spanish ackerel. which, on being placed |
before him, melted thirst for glass OF Saul erne.
To procure the latter the waiter requested him 10
write the order sign his name u memorandum |
blank.
FEARS OF ASSASSINATION
This looked SUSPICIOUS, particularly the waiter
tyed him askance and looked closely at the signature.
Thoughts OF possibility OF his being cevery poisoned
dashed through his brain, and when the wine was
brought, he refused to take It Some mysteriously
looking gentlemen were at this time discovered In
his vicinity, evidently plotting TO harm tho witness
while purportng to eat ma.utinal hash, SO he |
wrote hastily on n card:--
am pursued by assassns or prisoners and can't |
Ind any friends.
(Sigped) GEORGE G. LEErE.
On pay his bill he handed this card to the clerk
At the counter requesting him TO preserve II for iu
ture reference IN case he should happen to make !
mysterious 1naDpearance or come 10 grief In an I'M
timely manner He also drew the attention OF n by |
standsr 10 the warning memorandum
His ind thus cased he proceeded to the residence of
Mr. Mauton Marble No $50 Finn avenue. That gen. |
heman not being nj home he impressed his name |
upon the servant, whom he requested TO tell Mr.. |
Marble that he would like HIM possi-
Die and his next destination was the Fifth Avenue
Hotel where he arrived amer many -vicssitudcs in /
horse and convinced that tho government detce
lives we're Tor the time being acting IN the capacity OF
sonductors Tor the purpose OF getting the witness
"uown fine"
Amer registering at the Fifth Avenue Er. Lcete |
asked Tor the proprietor On his presenting him self
The newly arrived guest demanded a room and
luested TO have the Superint endent OF Police iee
yrapbcd Tor. The proprietor referred Mr. Lceo the
room clerk and declined to call the police He paid |
81 for room and explained the i'm peratve necessity
papers The hotel clerk offended him, and ne de-
mapded back his money and left the establishments
In "A curse-ory manner.
The Sixth avenue conveyed him down town
and ne renewed nie inquiries for Mr. Gibson at the |
Sun office, but without success. BY this time seeing
lbai all his friends had gone 10 Long Branch possi
bly, SHACK on him. he became desperate aud made a |
bold push Police Headq rters whore he lou nd
superintendent Wslng, and alter brief explanation
Df the perils that beset him. conuded 30 him for |
Iafe keeping scaled package containing his diary.
Thus relieved OF the anxiety that had oppressed HIM
be TO the Astor House q nights
lodging, and ultimately obtained u at the hos abe
hands OF Captain Saunders, at the station house,
stead In tho manner above described.
Mr.. Lecte VIII be brouR bt for examination this
morning at the Tomos Police Court.