Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-23
THE ARREST AT THE BRITISH
LEGATION.
Slim Foundation for q Sensation.


THE ARRESTED MAN PENNILEss FRESHMAN OF
WEAK MIND-HE IS SENT TO THE ALMsHoUsE-
WHAT THE POLICE AUTHORITIES AND OTHERS SAY
The arrest Of a man n amed William Looney In
front of the British legation residence, about 2
O'Clock Monday morning and some suspicious cir
cumstances connected with his conduct, has
given rise to considerable gossip. The fact that
the man Is an Irshman, and the further fact that
the police have kept strict watch upon the resi-
dence or the British minister taken together with
the reported readiness of troops at the barracks
go to the protection OF the legation. gave a very
6n turn to the gossip Looney was
to the fourth precinct station. There he appeared
to be demented, but it was the opinion of some
that he was fegning insanity. 1t was stated that
ne had passed through the gates. and was at
tempting to force his way into the house when ar
rested land after the officers seized him he became
THE SIMPLE RECORD OF THE ARREST
made on the report Of Lieut.. Guy, OF the fourth
precinct, Monday morning, was as follows: "Wm.
Looney; 2:20 a. m, age e. Ireland. Laborer.
insanity" The words "Ireland," "laborer," and
"insanity" appear respectively in the columns,
showing the nativity, avocation, and charge.
CAPT. VERNON SAYS THE STORY OF LOoNEY's CON-
FINEMENT AT THE ARSENAL IS "a GHOST STORY"
When STAR reporter asked Capt. Vernon, at
police headquarters this morning, what there was
In the stories published this morning which indi-
Gated that Looney's place of confinement was kept
as an o1nclal secret but 1t was probable that he
was confined at the Arsenal, the captain laughed
and said: "That Is ghost story. Some tramp or
picked him up suppose that's ali there ere u IS In it,
guess, but did not see the man. You had better
go In and see Major Dye"
MAJOR DYE SAYS THE PUBLISHED STORIES ARE
SENSATIONAL.
Major Dye was found sitting in his office across
the hall.
"That story" he said, ''is sensational There Is
nothing in this matter. This man was wandering
about the city and happened to 60 to the British
minister's house just such people will go to the
mouse so OF any prominent person. There are hum
dreds OF such arrests made Just now the public
seem to expect something on account of the story
ABOUT troops at the arsenal and other stories, and
putting things together sensation Is made out of
this tell you frankly don't know anything or
expect anything. have no reason to suspect any
Inlng. rms man Was arrested and kept in the
pIeclncI tnat night. He had been drinking, or was
aHected IN some manner, and was thought to be
insane He was brought here the next morning
was not insane, and ought not to be sent to the
asylum. He was
SENT TO THE ALMsHoUsE
or workhouse, don't know which,"
But" said the reporter. "the story is that he
tried to force his way into the house."
81 don't think that is so," said the Major
"There is nothing in this at all. do not like to
see sensations made Of such things, because,
tnougn they amount to nothing in themselves,
tney suggest crimes to others. There are crlnks
VINO might get the idea in their head that it would
DC good thing to so up and have their sort OF fun
with the British minister. There are always men
nent men such as the British minister, Gen. Sher-
man and the members Of the Cabinet. These sto-
res might put 1t into the noggin of some man 10
MAJOR DYE ON THE POLICE GUARD AT THE BRITISH
LEGATION BUILDING.
"But the special police guard" began the re-
porter.
1--WE protect every place in the city so far as we
can," said the Major, "and Of course look espe-
clally after prominent places"
slave you had any information," asked the re-
porter, "that has led to special precautions in
reference to the British legation7"
49, ~ have had no information" said the Major
AT this point a rumble OF wheels and clatter of
hoors was heard out OF doors. Then
BATTERY OF ARTILLERY
passed by. Captain Vernon, who had come In and
was standing by the window looking out, said,
III you want to spin sensation that will beat
that published this morning you might say that
the artillery has been called out to protect the
British minister. There they 60. They come by
here every morning to exercise their horses, but,
you needn't say that Of course"
"About tn at story" said Major Dye, "concern-
Ing the troops at the arsenal, 1 know nothing. I
have never had any Information about troops
being held there"
troops at the barracks to protect the British min
ister observed that he did not see how they could
by telegraph.
LooNEY SENT TO THE ALMsHousE
Going to the room OF Sanitary Officer Teeple the
reporter inquired to the disposition of the case
OF Looney. II don't feel authorized" said Mr..
Teeple, "to give any Information on that point
without authority from the Major" Mr. Teeple
thereupon went to the Majors room, and quickly
returning said: "Now will tell you what Vol,
want to know" Turning over his book to the
proper page and finding the entry In question he
was brought here, supposed to be insane. The
doctors examined him aud pronounced him not in
sane: Then, as he had no means, we did not know
WhaC 10 90 with him unless we put him into some
OF our institutions. He had no relatives, SO far as
,s.S we knew, and SO we sent him down to the poor
house. Since then have seen his first cousin He
has brother in Illinois practicinp law as undar
stand, who will communicate with him. we are
holding him to see what to do with him."
LooNEY ID1oT1c AND HARMLESS.
'There is no charge against him thcn?" said the
reporter.
"No." said Mr.. Teeple "He is without means ~
"haVe you learned anything about him7" asked
the reporter.
"He is man." said Mr.. Teeple, sswho has been
mere Tor thfrty-fOur years. according to the state
ment OF his cousin. Dennis LoOney. At one time he
was In goOd circumstances. He married second
Wlfe against the will OF his relatives. and tlrey
discarded aim. Dennis said he had not seen him,
tiPman, ana somewhat demented- d--mOre of an
idot IMAM anything else. For instance he rernem-
Ders thlngS that occurred twenty-five years ago
very well. out cannot remember things that han
pened few years ago. He is harmless, parfectiv
harmless He and his wife have had some trouble
ana when he talks he wanders back to that theme
always l don't know whether his wife Is here
put his children, ! believe, are In charge of the
sisters" N WV
LIEUT.. GUY TELLS WHO LooNEY Is
Lieut. Guy, In charge OF the police precinct in
which the British legation lives, when the subject
was introduced by STAR reporter this morning.
leaned back In his chair in his private room and
salu: '.Ihere was nothing more unusual happened
at the British minister's in the arrest OF that man
Inan IS llaDle TO happen at your house or mine
everybody knows Bill LoOney, a worthless idle
i aganona, VINO has been living on charity in this
G,ty .ol years: he lives down along the canal on
stTeet, between 22d and 23d streets His wife is
rally IN the wOrkhouse or the hospital He
has been In the habit OF begging about the citv
and the English minister's Is one of the places
where he goes, and he has been getting th1nrs tn
eat there His wife Is now In the almsRonse enH
the old man by neglect ana hunger is afYected IN
his mind. AS an instance OF this down near his
house he tied a small dog to big telegraph noie
and said that he was going to keep the dred1erss
away. Recently the agent OF the property TUNED
him out OF his house for nOn-payment OF the rent
and he got together few boards and built him a
shed on the wharf. Here he has been staying and
has nearly starved On Sunday night he started
to go to the British minister's for something to
eat.