Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-05
AN ANGRY ADMIRAL.
Asking for the Pro,e ction Of His
Country and His Flag
AS he Is ELECTED FROM A HOTEL.
Afraid Of Being Execnted Without the
Formality of a Trial.
A CRY OF TREASON FROM JOS. RODGERS

Last night cell in Central station envir-
oned the body OF Joseph Rodgers. He is "a
years old and is the picture of sturdy man.
hood. His face is expressive of great power,
and his well-shaped head Is covered with a
thick growth of hair that is snowy in its
whiteness. There is light tfringe Of whiskers
around his chin. but beyond this his face is
scrupulously clean. He has all the vigor of
a man of so. but mentally he is wreck. He
claims to be q brother of the far-famed Com
modore Rodgers, who was formerly in charge
OF the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Nd,
and whose name shines among the brightest
of the heroes of the Mexican War.
oseph Rodgers also claims to be an
Admiral in the United States Navy, and
says he has taken the place made vacant by
the death of Admiral Porter. He claims no
one has any authority over him. In fact,
he is childish, but what should have caused
his insanity to take this peculiar turn is
puzzling the police. They are also at loss
to know where the man comes from, al
though he once lived in CHARTERS. He was
>rought to Central station from the Monon-
gahela House, where the following was
CLEANED:
Money Was No Object to Him.
He came there Tuesday night. The i'm
pressive bearing Of the man caught even the
clerk with the loud tie and the curled hair.
Mr. Rodgers wrote his name clear across the
page Of the register. and as there was no room
left did not put down his address. To the clerk
he stated that he had been up the river buying
coal lands. He was worth from $4,000 to
$500. 900. He had been in active business all
his life and was too old to work any longer. He
wanted place to rest and call his home. In
fact the old gentleman believed the .Monon-
gahela House suited him first rate, and having
found room suited to his tastes he asked what
it would cost him. The clerk told him he
could live there for Sl0O month. The figures
were entirely satisfactory to him. and the old
gentleman went to bed without making any
provision for the payment. His appearance
was such thatthe clerk did not wish to irritate
or offend bim. s-.- |....-
All went well until about O'Clock last even-
ing. when he called for his KEY. After getting
II. he stated that he was Admiral of the United
and dignity of an officer of that high standing
The clerk has serious doubts as to whether any
of the naval officials were travelling incog. and
SO ventured remark about remuneration for
the room. ~.
Fell Back on the United States.
AT this the old man became indignant, and
raising his hat he exclaimed, "Sir! you ask me
for pay. Me, an Admiral in the service of the
United States. Not much. sir. The Govern
ment is responsible tor anything want. The
United States pays all my bills"
The clerk, now convinced that the man was
insane, insisted on payment and asked for the
kew. The old man refused to give either and
reiterated his former statements. with the addi-
tion that he had been appointed as successor
to the late Admiral Porter. He became in
dignant and started up stairs. Several porters
were started up TO stop him. When they ap-
preached him he waved them aside, and when
they tried to stnp him again he threw them OF
and shouted: Treason, treason! Back, or the
Governments will hold you responsible. Re-
member you are attacking an officer of the
United States Navy, - ..
Another man rushed up and the man was
carried down as gently as was possible. The
patrol was called, and he was taken TO Central
station. When he arrived there he somehow
got the idea that he was TO be executed, and
only begged to I've given time to say his prayers.
About himself he positively refused to give any
information. On his person. however, was
found liquor license which had been issued TO
him in 1852 for road house on the old Steu-
benville pike in CHARTERS township.
Old Captain Reed said he remembered OF
having visited this old country tavern long be-
fore he was on the police force. He also said
he believed that the man who first run it had
been missing for aumber Of years. but he was
not certain whether this was the man. II is
that some of the old mans friends
will be found to-day. ...t.i2s