Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-09
Arrest ofJames Henry Rocket at the
White House.
Was ANXIOUS 10 See TEE PRESIDENT
Claims That Mr.. McKinle y is His
"Uncle's Aunt"
HIS ACTIONS CAUSED ALARM

A man who gave his name as James
Henry Rocket, his age as ~thirty-two
years and his residence as on 4th street
southeast was arrested at the White
House this morning by Policeman Andrews
and locked up, his peculiar conduct leading
to the belief that his mind is affected. His
anxiety to see the President and the man.
ner in which he tried to get into the build
ing caused the police to believe he intended
to do some harm. He was taken to the
third police station and searched, but moth
ing but a small amount of money and
bottle of whisky was found on him. The
bottle was a half-pint flask, and only
small amount of the liquor had been taken
fl ON it.
Just what time Rocket reached the Ex-
ecutive Mansion is not known, but he was
seen lettering about the grounds a short
time before he called at the door. Then he
entered and walked hurriedly toward the
steps leading upstairs. He would have
gone to the upper floor had not Policemen
Austin and Andrews stopped him.
Il must see the President said he. eve
been badly used, and 1 want to get
righted."
To all appearances the man had been
drinking, and the officers paid no special
attention to him after they had driven him
out of the building. But Rocket was not
satisfied, and he returned. saying he want
ed to be directed to the elevator. There
was by this time wild look about his
eyes. and his laugh was very much like
that of an insane man.
The officers concluded that he should be
arrested, and started toward him for this
purpose. Rocket seemed to understand
what they were going to do, and made
haste to get out of the building. He ran
from there to the tool house in the rear,
and Policeman Andrews found him there
In hiding.
Makes No Resistance.
The patrol wagon was called and Rocket
was taken to the third precinct station,
where he was locked up. He was quiet
and offered no resistance. Upon reaching
the station he gave his name age and ad-
dress, and was then put in a cell to await
developments.
Soon after being placed behind the bars
he was found in a nude condition by the
stat1onkeeper. He gave a reason for re-
moving his garments, but when told to do
SO he again put on his clothes.
When a Star reporter called at the sta
ton, Rocket was sleeping soundly on his
iron cot and seemed to be in a stupor as
If he had been drugged. 1t was with great
difficulty that he was aroused, and even
then he was not very communica tive.
Il haven't worked any for a long time
he said, when questioned, land l live at
home with my mother"
He said he could not tell when he was at
home last. for. really he had forgotten He
was also unable to tell when he had called
at the White House. although he said he
had good reason for going there. He had
some business with the President, he said.
but he objected to disclosing the nature of
1t, because, he said. he believed every man
should bear his own dispatches.
"One reason l went there he volunteer
ed. lis because the President is my uncle s
aunt"
Has anybody ever harmed your he was
asked.
NO, indeed" was his quick response;
land l don't intend that anybody shall
harm me if can help it."
Says He is Insane.
Mrs. Rocket mother of the prisoner
called on the police during the day and
said she wanted him cared for at the
insane asylum or a hospital For some
days, she says, he has been acting peculiar
ly and she feared he would become violent.
She had noticed that he talked and laugh
ed in his sleep. Her son had been a mem
Der of the last grand jury and since the
jury was discharged he has been drinking,
but not to any considerable extent.
Sanitary Officer Frank has the case in