The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-11-10
THE CROP OF CRANKS
PRESIDENT CLsVELAND'S NARROW
ESCAPE LAST SUMNER.

| Victims OF Our Democratic Policy-Secre-
tary Gresham's Sensible views-Jails or
Asylums For Those Who Threaten-Ex-
ira Precautions at the White House.
! WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 7.-[SpeciaL i
Since the assassination of Mayor Harrison
at Chicago precautions against cranks have
been redoubled at the White House. 1t is
we'll understood here that every time a
crank kills prominent man, or attempts
to do so, and the particulars find their way
| into the newspapers, large and mlscel-
/ laneous crop of cranks is stirred up to the
surface of society. The additional precau-
lions taken at the White House were not
suggested by the president, and nothing
was said to him about them. The precau-
tions consist not of the employment of new
guards or watchmen, but of double vigi-
lance on the part of those already on duty.
After any outbreak like that of the misera-
BILE Prendergast in Chicago a number of
irresponsible and half crazy persons are
seen wandering about the White House
from time to time. Which one of them is
likely to do harm if given an opportunity
no one knows, and the only safe rule is to
suspect every unknown stranger who acts
in a peculiar manner.
1t is easy for any one to get within the
White House itself, but unless man is
known he cannot get anywhere near the
person of the president. He must run the
gantlet of doorkeepers, guards at the foot
of the stairs and again at the top of the
stairs near the entrance of the presidents
workroom. The handling of cranks has
become science at the executive mansion.
Foreigners Are Amazed.
Strangers from other countries are amazed
at the freedom with which our public men
go to and fro and receive persons who are
unknown to them. Most of our presidents
have been in the habit of taking walks in
the White House grounds or the adjacent
streets absolutely unprotected and some
times alone. Such thing is not known
among the royalty of Europe. Europeans
who visit Washington can scarcely believe
their eyes and ears when president is
pointed out to them strolling along the
streets unaccompanied by guards or outrid-
ers.
Possibly we havetoo much liberty of that
sort in this country, for the Capital City
has been the scene of two dreadful assas-
sinations, and now the mayor of Chicago
falls victim to his own democratic pol
habit of taking walks in the White House
grounds or on the streets, but he drives to
and from his country residence in a COM
mon open vehicle, sometimes alone and
sometimes accompanied only by his coach
man, as any other citizen does.
Mr.. CIeveland's Narrow Escape.
1t is not generally known that the presi-
dent had a narrow escape from assassina-
tion last summer during the campaign.
While Mr.. Cleveland was living at IL
West Fifty-first street, New York. he re-
ceived letter from young German ask
ing Mr.. Cleveland to obtain for him stu
alton as professional nurse. Mr.. Cleve-
lands private secretary replied that he did
not have any need for such services and
could do nothing for the applicant. This
preyed upon the mind of the young Ger
man, who was already in an irresponsible
condition mentally. He evidently worked
himself into frenzy of resentment on &C
count of Mr.. Cleveland's failure to help
him, for one evening he presented himself
at Mr.. Cleveland's door.
On some preteXt or other he was admit
ted by the servant, and Mr.. Cleveland, who
had just finished his dinner with DR.. Bry-
ant, came forward to greet his caller. The
young German drew revolver, leveled it
at the then ex-president and pulled the trig-
ger. AS luck would have it, the weapon
failed to discharge, and Mr.. Cleveland,
giving low cry, rushed forward and threw
his arms about his assailant and held him
until DIR. Bryant and the servants came to
his assistance. The policeman on the beat
was called in, Superintendent Byrnes was
telephoned for, and it was agreed that the
incident should be kept secret for fear of
stirring up other cranks. Superintendent
Byrnes took the young man to his house
and kept him there over night.
Next day DR.. Bryant and another ply
sician examined the unfortunate young
man and declared him insane. They went
before the proper authorities and obtained
writ, and within "a hours after his at
tempt upon the ex-president's life he was
hustled off to Bloomingdale asylum, where
he still remains. These efforts to keep the
matter quiet were wholly successful the
incident never finding its way into the
newspapers. Your correspondent was in
formed of the particulars of the case by
member of congress, to whom they were re-
lated by the physician who was called in
by DR.. Bryant to examine the miscreant
and assist in committing him to the asy-
lum.
Secretary Gresham's View.
Secretary Gresham was very much agi-
tated when he first heard the news of the
assassination of Mayor Harrison His first
thought and fear was that the deed had
been committed by an anarchist, and that
Chicago was again face toface with trouble
caused by the violence of enemies of the ex-
icti ard Of