Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-01-13
CTalkS at The Capitol
One or Two Have Penetrated Into
the Presidents Presence.
MIR. mALFoRD'L EXPERIENCE.

One of the most remarkable cranks in
the United States died in St. Eliza
beth's Hospital at Washington recently.
This crank was Colonel PInchoyer. He
was one of number of men who came
to Washington impressed with the belief
that the government owes them some
thing Doubtless they have read stories of
claims against the government for fabu-
tune and hoping for n "windfall' they
have gradually become imbued with the
idea that what they wished was true.
At least one crank has penetrated as far
as President HarrisoE's Office. This was
woman, well dressed and of refined
appearance, who came from Iowa to obtain
some money which she imagined Don
Alfonzo of Spain had left to her. She
had the idea that Don Alforzo had been
murdered in the streets of Washington
and that he had left an enormous fortune
to her which she conld obtain through
the President. Private Secretary Hal
ford heard her explain her case. He did
not attempt to correct her. That would
probably have made her only excited
and angry. But he told her that all
claims against foreign governments
must be presented to the State Depart
ment. So she went to the State Depart
ment to lay her case before the Secre-
tarv. She returned to the White House,
however. and not only saw Mr.. Halford,
but one morning before he had reach
ed his office, walked into the Presi-
dents Office, aud finding him at his desk,
began to discuss her case with him. hr.
Halford led her away and again assured
her that the State Dep alone had
authority to consider matters of the kind.
She went away then and she has not
been at the White House since.
SAID TIE POLICE HAD BEwITCHED HIM.
Another man came into the private
secretary Is Office one day and said that
the police of the United States had cast n
smell over him. He SAID that through
this he had lost his fortune and his
friends. and that he was being made
miserable by 1t. He wanted to have this
spell removed. On Mr.. HalfOrds desk
within easy reach of bis right hand Is
row ofbuttons. One of them closes the
circuit which rings bell in the corridor
near the front door of tho Executive
Mansion and summons one of the ushers.
Mr.. Halford touched the button, and then
kent his visitor in conversation until
Captain Dinsmore. the dOOrkeeper OF the
Whits House (who died very recently
appeared at the door Of his office.
Captain DinsmOre said Mr.. HalforG'
"ths gentleman has matter of some
importance which no wishes to have
Investigated Will you take him down
to Police Headquarters anG see that they
give him proper attention" Captain
Dinsmore sent the crank 10 the police
station in charge Of one Of his deputies.
He went along very quietly, because Mr..
Halford's manner had assured him that
he was being taken seriously.
THE PRESIDENTS PRESENCE OF MIND.
One day last summer, while the Presi-
dent was sitting with Senator Hlscock
on tho south porticO of the White House
wild looking man climbed over the
portico railing and approaching them,
announced that he wanted to see the
President. The President, with great
presence of mind, told HIM to step into
the Blue Room AMI sit down for few
m mites. There is hell button on the
south porticO. The President rang for
tLe ushsrs and the crank was hustled
ont of the Blue Room and taken down to
the police station. He does not know to-
dav that he saw the President Of the
United States and talked with him.
Colonel Piuchover claimed anything
from 40. 900, 600 to 800, 600, according
TO the liberality of his ideas at the time.
He used to eat hard boiled eggs, shell and
all. for the diversion OF the clerks OF
Congress. and lie was always ready to
nerform this feat for a glass Of beer.
! Pinchover rscd 10 ride on the cars be-
tween Washington and Baltimore without
paying fare. The newspaper correspond
ents of Washington, who knew him very
we'll would write ont passes for him, and
he insisted so strongly On his right 10
travel on these bits OF papers that the
railroad conductors seldom refused to
pass him. An Italion crank, who used IN
come 10 tho White House regularly. had
a plan for laying ont the White House
lot in the design of large American flag.
He carried bis drawings about with him
and was always ready to explain them to
any one who was at all curious about
them.
THIS ONE IS WAsnISGTON's OWN
A local crank who has attracted
great deal attention for great many
Years. is a man named Dunlop. lie
dresses and makes himself up in most
ridiculous fashion. He paints the back
of bis neck black and pads his shoulders
ont until they lock like horrible deform-
ities. He carries an umbrella in all kinds
OF weather. He usually wears little
round straw hat percbed on his head. He
walks down Pennsylvania avenue with
the air of one who is dressed IN the height
of fashion There is romance about
Dunlop. 1t is said that he had quarrel
with bis lady love one night, rushed
from her presence, mounted his horse AID
dashed OF into the darkness. The next
morning he was ionnd lying by the road,
side. His mind has been unbalanced
ever since. He is of good family ana