The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-06
HAND TO HAND FIGHT
BETWEEN CRAZY MAN AT WHITE
HOUSE AND OFFICERS.
WANTED TO SEE ROOSEVELT.
WHEN STOPPED BY OFFICERS
TRIED TO KILL THEM.

appointment Win the Presluent'
Made Effort to See Him at Church
sunday, md Also Called at Execu-
tive Offices YesterdaY-When Ar
rested Made Desperate Fights
Insane and VIII BE Sent to an
Asylum.
Washington, Oct. 5.-A desperate
hand-to-hand encounter with an armed
insane man, who was determined to see
President Roosevelt, occurred in the
vestibule of the White House shortly
before noon to-day.
The man. who gave his name as Pc
ter Elliott and his home as Minneapo-
lis, Mimi, was overpowered by the
officers on duty at the White House
entrance and carried to a police van
which had been summoned. He was
placed in the van in the custody of two
officers.
Seeming to realize that he was under
arrest Elliott began furious strug-
gle with his captors for liberty. He
drew a revolver from the right side
pocket of his trousers and attempted
to shoot officer James Cissell.
The officer grabbed his hand and
wrenched the weapon from his grasp.
Elliott's struggles were so fierce. how
ever, that the two officers in the cramp-
ed quarters of the van were unable 10
overcome him. Officer Cissell then
drew his revolver and fired two shots
to attract attention.
Chief Usher Thomas Stone and Off,
Ger Parker Of the White House force,
who had assisted in carrying Elliott
to the van. attracted by the shots, rush
ed back to the vehicle and assisted IN
overpowering him.
EIliOt's Head Cut.
In the struggle within the police van.
Elliott had broken a glass panel with
his head, severely cutting his head and
face. officer Cissell sustainel a serious
cut on his right arm, two inches of
flesh being cut out of the f1eshy part
of the arm. He suffered considerably
from loss of blood but his injury is not
serious.
The van was hurried to the Emergen-
cy Hospital, where the injuries of both
Cissell and Elliott were dressed.
Several days ago Secretary Loeb re-
ceived a letter, postmarked Washing
ton, and written on letter paper of the
aiilt Isanesu 4ote1, this city. The let
ter 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 under the sigma
ture that the writer was registered at
the hotel as Peter Elliott
1t was evident to Secretary Loeb
that his correspondent was insane and
he issued directions at once that the
officers on duty at the White House
and at the executive Offices should he
on their guard against him. The pho
tograph was turned over to the secret
service officers.
Couldn't. he Found Before.
Nothing was seen of the man until
yesterday when the President attend
ed morning services at Grace Reform
ed Church.
Elliott went to the church early and
during the first part of the services oc-
cupied seat in the gallery overlook
ing the pew in which the President sat.
He left the church at the beginning
of the communion service and lelned
against the fence railing of a house
Just below the church. There he
awaited the exit of the President.
When the President emerged from the
street toward Elliott. Elliott stepped
suddenly up to the President and put
out his hand. saying, Roosevelt, shake
hands with Elliott With ut slacken-
ing his rapid walk. President Roose-
Welt removed his hat and held out his
hand, saying, Il am glad to meet you,
and passed on.
About 10 o'clock this morning he ap-
peared at the executive offices. Enter
ing the vestibule he inquired for Pres
ident Roosevelt. One of the door keep
ers asked him why he wanted to see
the President.
"Oh Just for fun" he responded.
THE President sent for me and 1 just
want to see him."
Elliott was told to return next
month. He smiled and walked away,
not offering the slightest objection to
the rebuff which he had received His
appearance attracted very little atten-
tion and he gave no indication at that
time of insanity.
All of the officers, both at the White
House and at the executive offices,
however, were warned again to be on
the lookout for the man and not to take
any chances with him.
Visited White House
Shortly before II o'clock Elliott walk
ed UP the main door OF the White
House, stepped inside, and inquired of
officer Cissell if he might see the Pres
ident. Chief Usher Stone and Officer
Parker were 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 pos
siby arrange to see him after a while.
Instantly the man, having been rec
ognized, a hurry call was sent for a
policeman. Scarcely had the call been
sent in when Elliott became violent.
The officers and attendants threw
themselves upon him and after brief
but strenuous struggle overpowered
him. officer Cissell made a cursory ex-
animation of his pockets, but found
only pair of shears, and a large PEN
knife.
The man became quiet but refused to
leave the White House until he was
forced to go. The officers conveyed him
to the police van, which by that time
was waiting at the southeast gate of
the White House grounds. The strug-
gle in the van occurred almost i'm
mediately after Elliott had been placed
in the vehicle.
Pistol In Fob Pocket.
He drew his revolver from a pocket
which seemed to be an enlarged fob
pocket AS that is most unusual place
in which to carry a pistol. Officer Cis-
sell. in his hurried search. had over
looked the weapon. The pistol was an
ordinary bulldog five-shooter of cheap
pattern.
At the Emergency Hospital where