Evening star., 1898-12-16
MENTALLY UNBALANCED
Claim in Behalf of Man Who Stoned British
Ambassadors Residence.
The Matter Brought to Attention OF
State Observation-Disclosures
as to Sanity.

Joseph W. Pearson, printer, aged twen-
ty-six years, Is held a. the third precinct
station to await further action by the au-
| thorities in the matter Of an attack made
by him last evening on the British embassy.
Shortly before 9 o'clock Sir Julian Paunce-
fote and his family became aware that
some one was throwing stones into'sthe
large room on the Connecticut avenue side
of the building, in which they were sitting.
Several windows were smashed, as was
also the large front door, and a piece of
glass stru, TX one of Sir Julians daughters
on the foot. slightly cutting it. The min
lister at once directed that the police be
telephoned for, and IN response to a call to
the Sd precinct station house a number
OF officers We're sent to the scene. Mean
while. however. Officer Burrows, who was
attracted to the place by the noise made
In the crashing of the glass, took Pearson
into custody and sent him to the station.
The damage to the building is estimated at
800.
Pearson refused to answer questions and
was locked up. search revealed that his
home was at No. 1872 18th street north
west with his mother sister and brother.
Mrs Pearson said that while Joe was
usually quiet and well behaved, she had
noticed for several weeks that he had acted
strangely and she feared his mind had been
unbalanced
The first man to lay hands on Pearson
was the sexton of the Church of the Cove
nant, which is located on the opposite cor
ner from the embassy who Witnessed the
assault upon the house. Two minutes later
OHcer Burrows arrived, and almost imme-
d'ately thereafter Sergt. Neely was on the
scene. All the emba SSies are under the spe-
cial care of the police department, orders
70 that effect having been issued by Mai
sylvester August 10 last, but owing to the
small number of men on the force it is i'm
possible to keep an officer in the immediate
vicinity OF each embassy at all times.
Action Suspended.
The State Department has suspended
action on the case pei ding the determina-
tion OF the question Of the prisoners
mental responsibility. Pearson's sister
calfed at the State Department this morn
ing In company with a lawyer, and had
an interview with Secretary Hay. They
represented that the prisoner was mentally
unbalanced. and not accountable for hts
actions The hope was EXPRESSED that the
authorities would be as Ienient and nerci
lul toward him as possible under the cir
cumstances. The Secretary treated his
visitors with every consideration and as
SuTed them that nothing would be lone so
far as he was con,arned until the mental
responsibility of the prisoner had been set
tied.
AmbaSsadOr sent Note.
SIT Julian Pauncefote. the British am
bassador. did not visit the State Depart
ment today. contenting himself with send
ing personal note to Secretary Hay. Civ
ing brief account of the affair 1t Is un-
derstood he leaves the question of the
prosecution of Pearson to the Judgment of
the Secretary of State The matter is
taken coolly at the embassy, where the
ch lief ir1tl
to Miss Pauncefote. which was severe
enough to keep her in bed this forenoon
note was received from the Secretary
of State expressing regret for the unfor-
tunate occurrence and sympathy for Miss
PaunCefote.
AS to the prosecution of Pearson, it is
understood no especial action will be .aken
by the embassy. 1t is confidently antfci-
pated that full justice Will b. done by the
United States au horities. ana that Pear
son Will be put where he can do no further
damage. Whether that is in jail or in an
asylum Will depend upon the result of the
Inquiry as to his sanity.
Application for Writ.
Mrs Pearson, through Attorney AIexan-
der II. Bell, this afternoon filed a petit
tion for d writ de lunatico inquirendo and
for the appointment of a committee in tie
case Of her son. The latter it is stated
has been of unsound mind since about the
presses the belief that her sons insanity is
que 10 excessive reading and study. His
mdady, until Last evening. she says, has
not been violent. He had threatened to
take the life of one of his brothers: had
frequently criticised the method of gov
ernment of this country and prior to the
18th instant stated that OF that day the
President and his officers would leave the
country and never return For some time
past ne has refused to eat with other
members Of the family.
Mrs. Pearson says her son never before
expressed any ill-wiH toward the British
ambassador or The government he repre-
Sented, ncr did he ever state that he or
the citizens of this country had any com
pant against the ambassador or his coun-
try. Joseph row says. according to his
mother. in explanation of the occurrence
last evening, that he represents the people
of this country, and that he is the instru-
ment to settle the grievances and com
plants the people have against the king
dom of Great Britain.
Mrs. Pearson asks that she be appointed
the committee of her son. The matter was
called to the attention of Judge Cox VINO
directed that the writ issue. The inquiry.
it Is expected, will take place early next
week.
Information was received from No 3 pre-
cinct station, where Pearson is confined in
cell, that he is becoming very violent in
speech and manner.