New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-19
DELUsIoNs OF AN EXCITED BRAIN.

Aston House office about o'clock last evening,
aud entered his name on the register, In
bold, free hand John f. Leet, New
Orleans" He was Of medium stature with dark
hair and eyes, brown side whiskers, nous
tache and imperial There nothing in his
appearance to attract attention.
Even the clerk the first reading Of his
name did not notice that he was the accomplished car
petbagger who has been unfolding to tho Potter Com
mittee the Of Louisiana statesmansip and the
devious methods of himself and his quondam friend An
derson He assigned, therefore, without any cere-
mony No. 225 and he paid 81 80 for his nights
lodging.
About twenty minutes later he astonshed the night
clerk, isaac Vonleer, by violent ringing OF his bell
waiter up TO what wanted by the oecu-
pant OF No 225 The boy raped at the door, but got no
response. He knocked louder, aud then tried the door.
This seemed TO Within for Nh. Leet's
voice was heard hoarsely muttering oaths, and he
bawled out 4" watched by reporter; there is a
gang of them pursuing You must after the Chief
Of Police demand protection from these spies who
logging me and who want to blow my brains cut"
The night clerk was at loss 70 understand what
should make q talk so wildly He thought the boy
could not have reported things Alright SO he at once
sent another haboy TO inquire about the strange man,
who at intervals still continued to ring the bell spasmod-
icaly. The second boy soon came down, with pale,
scared face and reported that the man was raging
around IN his room, cursing and refusing to open his
some one was after him blow his brains The boy
had persisted in having him open the door,
when Mr.. Leet swore at him and the boy dis
tiuctly heard him cock a pistol He held
longer parley with the aggressive guest but rushed
down to the Office In company with 0ficer McWiams,
who is regular attendance at the hotel Nc. Vonleer
went up to the ROOM They found the door closed, the
transom being open. They could hear man trampng
about inside Then this short conversation took place;
Mr. VOneer-What Is the matter Why are you ring
ing the bellf What can we 10 Tor you
Mr.. Leet-somebOdy is following me; want protec-
The Cerk-Unlock your door, then step out into the
hall SO that We can talk with you.
! Mr. Leet-I won't come OUT know VINO you are
| watching for me d--n you take that =, -.
TO great surprise Of the men ~ the hall bullet
came crashing through the door and Embedded itself IN
the opposite wall No further persuasive oyertures were
yenued upon but p m ssnneF and three
officers arrived. They Joined the eletk ana Oneer
tently 20 every movement outside, but had given no
sign OF life in the meantime. The ofcers surrounded
the door, sn SS ssotS again the paTey began Mr.
VoDleer repeated his that friends were out
Ss cnrse ana the rapid discharge Of shots from
revolver which came through the door In nearly the
The officers were preparing beat down the door and
rush in in body when the door was unlocked, eau
Ieet saw the officers uniforms he threw the door wide
open the pistol which ne had 10 DIS nand Upon Ine
pcaton He quietly delivered himself saylag nothing
In justification Of his strange conduct and was re-
| moved tot he Church Street station
| LEET's STORY OF HIS TROUBLE.
| About midnight o TRIBUNE reporter, who had seen
Leet all the time that he was giving testimony before
the Potter Committed called at the New Church Street
| Police Station to see him.
He was asked what was the matter, ana now ne mad
| found his way into that place.
Won see he answered, it's all the result Of this
Investigation was persuaded by that man Gibson to
| come on here and testify, under the promise that
could tell just the things ne ssnUn ne have TO- e
anything else And then understood That should gee
"' sketch of my life in ahead of my testimony so
| that I shouldn't appear scoundreli but
| thew wouldn't let me- And then Butler
aDd his crosse1aminatiOn confused about datee
and got all mixed up, and got mad ana said things
! very one Of the Louisiana crowd were = rascals;
thought could show them that wasn't one. ont the
| myself appear as knew was, an honest man;
ana IL Rs4r 70 add to ALL have wife and two little
| children, whom / love dearly. Have you children
tnen had malarial fever And then heard OF the vel
low fever ali around where they are living aud that t
hesoe tbe committees on Thursday thinking OF my
child more than was OF what the committee was ask
Sx ap V lad no mercy have since heard that my child
is better don't know that that Is true perhaps It
fears pny were in the mans eyes oil the time he
speaking. and they fell on his cheeks az ne added ="
ask for any for fear it would be said was taking money
evidence or % I m hsior &
1
came you to go to the Aston House last nghtp
was I tell YOU Before went before the committee
WAS STAYING with friends whom don't care TO name.
TSeu after testified the first day didn't want 70 go
back and inquired for lodging house near the Post
8 Bs%cn eS %S the rooms ddn. suit me- and
| I changed once or twice, and In a whisper
| noipt me out to others, and then they would
watch me and follow me around / couldn't sleep and
letters going to introduce before the committee
containing nS them which had been by express from
| Sew-Orleans. Some of them were very amusing,
more T%@ heard 50 theS resd for knew ali the cir
| ccHmstances; aud I laughed over them Friday
Island to nv friends, but was tired aud wanted 20
sleep-wearily) If could only have slept But tI
Then went into barrOom just this side OF the Bel
and told the bartender ts was rS ana
mixed a very curious cocktail lie Wouldnt Ten me Wnat
was IN IT, and Vas ane SoisopeS s Tbere sTe those
VINO want TO kill me. fear OF what may say before
or from washington or perhaps from the Custom House,
to have pat out Of the WAY There are 80 many
like suicide Then went down n 70 staten Island sbspS aSe
| pains in my bones, and my head was queer, ana
all from the effects OF that strange cocktail"
| "Nhy did you return to New-YOrk to-day y
"Weil felt as II my life in danger, and knew
was an important witness, and had important doea-
tbaI there should be some evidence LETT behnd which
| would ruin some men whom haven't touched yeti
WO TO ed to nd Gbson but no one
could tell me for certain where he then tried %
hnd PetOn, but couldn't was all the time Swallowed
and got my seriously taken by every place wanted 10
fnd The street car conductors TO be detectives
| here. wanted to find these men and say 20 them
| Here | am; important witness, who may nave
important things 10 say and, who has Importing
| documents want you to take care OF
| NV DOCUMENTS and OF me- want 20 sleep,
eve me chance 70 feel safe long enough 10 seept 4
Couldn't find them aud went 70 the Astor House 70
Sleep. haven't slept any since the hrstday was Do
i WY didn't you sleep then quietly; what was the
| mauer" -, -
| all around tracked me there, and Determined
TO raise such a row that 1 never car, 20