The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-16
WITH WILD YELLS
Insane Man Invades the Govern
or's Office.
Says He is Candidate For
United States Senator.
WOULD MAKE TERMS.
Satisfied He Could Win With
Governor Out Of the Race.
Police Officer Called and Man is
Carried Away.
He is w. III. J. Hardman of
Valley Falls.
WOULD MAKE TERMS.

W. NJ. J. Hartman, of Valley Falls,
crazy man, set the state house in a
fever of excitement this morning at 3
o'clock. He yelled like Comanche IN
dian for five minutes. at the end of
which time the officials and employees
poured into the main corridor on the
second floor of the east wing, many of
them lodging out as quickly when they
saw the insane man struggling to free
himself from three men who were trying
to get him out of the building.
Hardman imagines that he is a candi-
date for United States senator, instead
of an asylum, and his mission to the
state house this morning was to discover
Governor Stanley's intentions concern
ing the senatorship. II the governor
keeps out Hardman said he would go
into the race, provided Mr.. Stanley
would be for him"
Miss Edna Oft was alone in the recep-
ton room leading to the governors
office when Hardman walked in He did
not respond to the good morning" from
the young lady, but sank into chair
and exclaimed:
I want to see and must see the gov
ernor quick"
Suddenly the lunatic started from the
chair and screamed:
Lord have mercy! They're tryin' to
kill me; there they are"
All the while Hardman kept up frantic
gesticulations Miss OFT hurried from
the Office and summoned a half dozen
men who went quietly into the room
and soon engaged Hardman in CONVEX
sation. Then he sat down and told John
Dudley and Al Mooney about his Sena-
toria1 aSpirat tons.
The insane man warmed up to Dud-
ley, and probably recognized in him a
reliable "fixer.' Dudley entertained him
police. Policeman Golf responded.
When he entered the room where Mr..
Dudley was entertaining the insane man
in chair, Hartman exclaimed:
There they come to kill me now.
Then Hardman let out a series of
screams and yells which were ear
piercing in volume and made the cold
shivers chase each other up and down
Lets get out of this crowd said the
policeman. "Come on; we will go away
from here. I won't hurt you, but will
get away from here with you"
you've got to say few words TO
me before co. said Hartman, relaps-
ing into quiet.
ssGot to have somebody else, or they'll
kill me- said Hardman-
mo, they won't hurt you, said MOO
ney and Dudley together. THAT man
will take good care of you
WELL said Hardman with a leer at
Mooney and Dudley, I don't know you
feIlers. You may be the very ones seek
ing to d-e-s-t-h-r-o-y me-.
This caused the crowd to fall back
but the policeman ana ii. r. dalCH, q
janitor, succeeded in getting into Hard
mans good graces who started out, say
ing in a confidential tone:
lets get away from this crowd.
Hartman accompanied the officer and
Mr.. Hatch without difficulty until they
reached the east door leading out on the
stone steps. Then the trouble COM
menced.
Hardman started back to the COVER
nor's office. The two men grabbed him
but he scooted them along the floor as if
they were on ice. During the scuMe
Hardman opened up by yelling:
Governor Stanley.
This was heard in every corner Of the
capitol and the people came surging in
to the hall. This made Hardman more
frantic and he screamed again:
II want to see the governor-Governor
Stanley-about bein' senator
'rWhoopee," he yelled again and made
a side dive, yanking his escorts across
to the other side of the hall.
Lord have mercy; they're KILN me
now"
and again.
Meanwhile Hatch and Golf were as
surfing Hardman that no harm would
come to him; that they were trying to
get him out of harms way, but all to
no avail The man, who seemed to have
the strength of half a dozen ordinary
men, pulled and hauled the two men
around over the corridor as though they
were children. Every move Hardman
made was accompanied by fearful