The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-07-24
DAILY INTELLIGENCER.
Sunday, July "a, 1881.
RANDOLPH'S ATTACK ON PRES.
IDENT JACKSON.

WASHINGTON. July e.-It is fac,
not creditsble TO the civilization OF
Virginia that one of her sons, who be.
longed TO First Family, set the exam.
pie Of making q violent assault upon
/ the President of the United States.
This nstional disgrace occurred on
board Potomac steamer at Alexsndria
on May 6, 1888.
Lieut. Robt B Randolph of the navy,
on board the frigste Constitution, was
appointed by Capt Patterson, in the
year 1928, TO assume the duties Of Act
ing Purser. in place of John B Timber.
lake. the Purser. who, in q fit Of nrunk-
en- delirium. had committed suicide.
Timberlake was the first husband of
the future Mrs Gen John II Eaton, nee
Peggy O'Nesle, who enjoys the dubi-
Gus honor OF having caused the disso-
luton Of Gen Jackson's first Cabinet.
Randolph took charge of the Office or
duties Of Purser; and, in his statement
Of the case, he complains that the sur
yeys and inventory required by the
regulations or the law were not made,
and that he was held accountable for
an amount of stores which were not on
hand. After some years he was found
TO be o defsulter. on what OF insisted
was an assumed state of facts, when he
took charge of the Pursership. A
court OF inquiry vas appointed to in
vestigate his accounts. Their report
exonerated him from an intentional
misuse OF public property, but not from
the default. They reported him to be
careless or neglectful. though not dis
honorable. Otherwise he was an eff
cient othS9f. who had rendered the
country valuable service. On this re-
port Gen Jackson dismissed him from
the service, despite the strenuous efforts
of Influential friends in his behalf. 1t
was to aveDge himself for this injustice,
90 he regarded it, that he made the viz
olent assault upon the President. The
friends OF Gen Jackson were never
willing to admit the fact, but his op-
ponents insisted that Randolph pulled
the old hero's nose. That seems to
have been the purpose of the ruffian, at
any rate; and the blood upon the Gen>
erals face would seem to prove that
the attempt was successful.
The opportunity for this outrage was
furnished by q trip of the President, a
portion of his Cabinet, his private Sec
rotary, and other friends, down the Po-
tOmao to Fredericksburg, in Virginia,
to witness the ceremony of laying the
corner stone OF the monument to the
memory of the mother of Washington.
The boat stopped at Alexandria for a
few moments, and while there q num-
Der OF persons came on board, and
among them Mr. Randolph, the late
Lieutenant in the navy, who had recent
ly been dismissed from the service. He
entered the cabin where the President
was seated and engaged in reading q
newspaper. He advanced towards the
President as if to address him, and
seemed in the act of drawing his glove.
The President says the account in
the Globe, not knowing him, and sup.
posing it was some person about to ads
dress him, and seeing him at some diff
Guilty in getting off his glove, stretched
out his hand toward him, saying,
Never mind your glove. SIR Rap
dolph having then disengaged himself
from his gloves, thrust one hand vio-
lently into the Presidents face, ami be-
fore he could make use of the other re-
ceived blow from gentleman stand
ing near by with an umbrella. Almost
at the same time two other gentlemen
in the cabin sprang upon him, and he
was dragged back and thrown down.
The moment he was assaulted the
President seized bis cane, which was
lying near him on the table, and was
forcing his way through the gentlemen
who had crowded round Randolph, in>
sisting that no man should stand be-
tween him and the villain who had in.
suited him; that he would ohastise him
himself. Randolph by this time had
been borne toward the door of the cab
IN and pushed through it 10 the deck.
he made his way through the crowd
on the deck and the wharf, being as
sisted. as is believed, by some rufian
confederates. and made his escape.
He stopped for Q few moments ct a
tavern in Alexandria. and passed ON be.
yond the District line. The Grand
Jury. then in session. in few minutes
found presentment against him. and
the Court issued bench warrant. A
magistrate had Just previously issued a
warrant. but before the officers could
arrest him he was gone
An eyewitness. writing to the Rich.
mond Enquirer, gives some additional
particulars. as follows: when the
President said, Never miad your glove,
sir. Randolph said in O low tone that
he came to take his revenge by pulling
his nose, suiting the action 10 the
word. The President exclaimed In as
constituent. What. sirl What sirr Ran
dolph on the instant was struck by
Mr. Potter with On umbrella very Sc
we're blow, which knocked him against
the berth. Capt Brown seized him and
dragged him with violence from the
President. and Major McDonaldson
rushed toward the table In his anxiety
to protect the President. II was the
work OF an instant. The President az.
claimed. seizing his stick. Let no man
interfere between me and this personal
assault; am an old man, but perfectly
capable OF defending myself against
and furnishing dozen cowardly assess
ms. 1t is said that q person named
Thomas approached the President. and
rendering bis hand, observed that il he
would promise to pardon him be would
murder the bastard. The President
nut by his hand 81 v;rr. M -: ~