The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-08
CRANK At WHITE HOUSE
Armed Insane man Fought Fiercely
20 See tie President.
sEvERAL MfN 10 sUeoUE HIM

TO See the President.
SEVERAL MEN TO sU9pUE HIM
He Refused 10 co Away and Fought
Desperately When Arrested - Was
Pronounced lncane and Sent TO an
Asylum.
Washington. oct Ga desperate
hand-to-hand encounter with an arm
ed insane man who was determined
TO see President Roosevelt occurred
in the vestibule of the White House.
The man, who gave his name as Peter
Elliott. a machnist. OF Minneapolis
Mimi. was overpOwered by the OIL
GERS and carried 10 a police van
which had been summoned. lie was
placed in the van in the custody OF
two officers. Seeming to realize then
for the first time that he was under
arrest. Elliott began furious sirug-
gle with his captors for liberty He
drew a revolver from the right side
pocket Of his trousers and attempted
70 shoot Officer James Cissell The
officer grabbed his hand and wrench
ed the weapon from his grasp Eli
otis struggles were so fierce, how
eyer. that the two officers in their
cramped quarters of the van were I'M
able TO overcome him. officer Cissell
then drew his revolver and fred two
shots 10 attract attention.
In the struggle within the police
van Elliott had broken a glass panel
with his hand. severely cutting his
head and face. Ohlcer Cissell sus
tanned a serious cut on his right arm
two inches Of flesh being cut out OF
the aeshy part OF the arm. He SUI
fered considerably from loss of blood.
but his injury is not serious. The van
was hurried 10 the Emergency Hos
pital. where the injuries OF Cissell ana
Elliott were dressed.
Several days ago Secretary Loeb re-
ceiyed a letter written on letter paper
of the 81. James Hotel, this city. The
letter enclosed a photograph Of Elliott
and an incoherent request for an inter
view with President Roosevelt The
letter was signed Peter Ell" the
statement being made Immediately
under the signature that the writer
was registered at the hotel as Peter
Elliott. II was evident to Secretary
Loeb that his correspondent was in
sane. and he issued directions at once
that the officers on duty both at the
White House and at the executive Of
fees should be on their guard against
him. The photograph was turned over
to the secret service officers.
Nothing was seen OF the man until
the president attended services at
Grace Reformed Church. when Elliott
appeared near the entrance 10 the
church and made an effort 10 speak 10
the president. but he was foiled in his
endeavor by the secret service officers.
He next appeared at the executive Of
fees aud was turned away.
Yesterday Elliott walked up 10 the
main door OF the White House. stepped
inside and inquired Of Officer Cissoll II
he might see the president Chief
Usher Stone and Officer Parker We're
standing Just within the vestibule at
the time. Mr.. Stone told the man that
he could not see the president Just AT
that moment. as he was engaged, but
that he might possibly arrange TO see
him after awhile. Instantly. the man
having been recognized, a hurry call
was sent for a police van. Scarcely
had the call been sent In when Elliott
became violent. The officers and at
tendants threw themselves upon him
and after a brief struggle overpowered /
him The man became quiet but re-
fused to leave the White House until /
he was forced to 90. The officers con- /
veyed him TO the police van, which by
that time was waiting at the southeast /
gate Of the White House grounds. The /
struggle in the van occurred almost /
Immediately after Elliott had been .
placed in the vehicle.
Al the Emergency Hospital. where .
his wounds We're dressed, Elliott said .
that he was a Swede and that his home .
was in Minneapolis. From the hospital .
the man was taken 10 the First Pre- /
cinct police station and incarcerated /
in one OF the detention wards.
The police surgeons. after a careful 1
examination OF Elliott certified that
he was insane An order was issued
for his removal to the
st. Elizabeth's Hospital for the Insane.
Elliott said he came To Washington
from Paterson. n. J. He also said he
had been in Lancaster. Pa. When
locked up at the police station he made
a long, rambling statement as 10 the
reasons for his action.
"To Occupy the White House."
Minneapolis, Mimi, Oct G.-Peter
Olsen Elliott. also known as Peter
Olson. who was taken into custody
at the White House. is a well-known
South Minneapolis character. Several
months ago he told friends that he
was going TO Washington 10 occupy
the White House" They thought he
was joking. He disappeared and
nothing was heard Of him until II was
made known that he had attempted
10 see the president. His name was
Olson, which he changed q
year ago for personal reasons He is
4 strong Socialist. an anarchistic talk
er. and was a well-known sight on
street corners in his part Of town.