New-York tribune., 1899-07-12
CRANK AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING.
HE HAS CLAIM OF s1sOooooo AGAINST THE
GOVERNMENT AND WANTS A BoDYGUARD.

HE HAS CLAIM OF s1soo0ooo AGAINST THE
GOVERNMENT AND WANTS A BoDYGCARD.
About noon yesterday tall. heavily built man
about fifty years old OF dark complexion. with
black hair sprnkled With gray, black mustachs
and side whskers visited Commissioner Shields's
Office in the Federal Building and said that he
had grievance against the Government. He spoke
very rapidly. with slight French accent. He was
we'll dressed and carried a heavy gold mounted
cane The Commissioner has beer, oyerrun with
cranks Of all descriptions lately and there was one
Of mild description. who desires the Government
70 proceed against his father for ostracizing him
from the State of Indiana waiting 10 see him at
the time 90 Commissioner Shields directed his vs-
tor TO make his complaint the District Attorney
General Burnett out OF the city, and the
stranger was piloted into the Assistant District
Attorneys room where he found Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Houghton alone. Seating himseir
closely beside Mr.. Houghton, the visitor poured out
a tale that caused cold shivers 20 run up and down
the spine OF the listener and finally to make sud-
den break for the Of Commissioner Shields
on the plea that it would be necessary 10 consulr
him about the requests made by the visitor Mr..
Houghton did not keep any shorthand notes or the
conversation, but II was impressed on MS mind
with vvldress by his visitors manner 1 did not
know" Mr. Houghton said afterward at what
time he might draw a knife or a revolver. or drop
a package Of dynamite l got away from him az
quickly as could but in the short time he talked
with me he told me a most marvellous story
The stranger began by stating that his name was I
Pierre La Rue He then told Mr.. Houghton that he !
wished to get power OF attorney 10 prosecute suti
10 recover SIS 600 600 owing TO him by the Cow,
ernment He also wanted bodyguard OF between
twenty and thirty Government officers. 20 protect
him against detectives who seeking 10 arrest
him He wanted Government officers because.
said he Il have faith in Pinkerton men or otheF
private detectives and the police are in the leagues
10 deprive me OF my liberty have claim against
the Government for $4,000 900. which is perfectly
valid and I have all my papers prepared. II II
do not succeed in getting this money through the
court. I shall come down here with the bodyguard
YOU furnish me and regiment OF cavalry and tsks
I, nv force II was my work, the getting up OF thei
s1sOO0OO0 bond issue made during PRESIDENT
Cleveland's administration. and he agreed that Il
should have the returns. Instead OF Keeping hlsi
word with me he entered into an intrigue with ID
t,srnont Morgan and they divided the proceeds. I,
shali also begin suit against Cleveland 10 recover
from i him m his snay aoda Of saf a0k gaD' and
sttuon which has has empoyee 'e ceTesnd when
made nv demand upon him while he was Presi-
dent. had me confined In tunauc asyiuaha fya w
nromise not 10 commit murder or suicide II
Should do either OF these acts am TO sgrrender
no fear however that shall do so, for I now
have all my papers % s and ane channcey a
are both friends Of mine ana now tns' , tney are
great assistance / am on my way now 20 4
See Depew about the matter 1t is great thing 20
have a friend az court I tell you. Now, will you
he sure 70 provide me with that bodyguardT
II will attend to Il at once, was Mr: houghtoh,
way into Commissioner Shieldss once. TWO min
utes later his visitor followed him into the nan.
greatly excited shouting that he had lost his cane
He asked a number OF deputy marshsls and watcn..
men whom he met TO find his cane for him. ana
was finally persuaded 20 leave the building, on
being told that would probably recover II az the
Office OF District Attorney Gardiner IN the Criini-
luff