The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-10-09

Washington, October "a desperate
lhand-to-hand encounter with an armed
Insane man, who was determined to
Isee President Roosevelt, occurred in
the vestibule Of the White House
before noon today.
The man, who gave his name as
lPeter Elliott, and his home as Min
Ineapolis, Mimi, was overpowered by
1.-The officers on duty at the White
House entrance and carried to a po-
lice van, which had been summoned.
HE was placed in the van in the cus-
lalize then for the first time that he
Twas under arrest, Elliott began a fu-
Irious struggle with his captors for
liberty. He drew a revolver from the
fright side pocket of his trousers and
ATTEMPTED to shoot Officer James Cis-
~wrenched the Weapon from his grasp.
Elliott's struggles were SO fierce,
however, that the two officers in the
Icramped quarters of the van were I'M
to overcome him..
Officer Cissell then drew his revOl-
lver and fired two shots to attract at
Itention. Chief Usher Thomas Stone
land Officer Parker, Of the White
House force, who had assisted in car
Trying Elliott to the van, attracted by
the shots, rushed back to the vehicle
land assisted in overpowering him
In the struggle within h police van
Elliott had broken a glass panel with
This head, severely cutting his head
land face. Officer Cissell sustained a
l%serious cut On his right arm, two
Inches of flesh being cut out of the
feshy part of the arm. He suffered
considerably from loss of blood, but
his injury is not serious.
The van was hurried to the emer-
Igency hospital, where the injuries of
both Cissell n Elliott were dressed.
Several days ago Secretary Loeb re-
Iceiyed q letter, poStmarked Washing
ton, n written on letter paper of the
st. James hotel, this city The letter
enclosed a photograph of Elliott and
Ian incoherent request for an inter-
view with President Roosevelt. The
tletter was signed Peter ELL" the
statement being made Immediately I'M
der the signature that the writer was
registered at the hotel as Peter Ell
lllott. 1t was evident to Secretary
Loeb that this correspondent was in
Isane and he issued directions at once
that the officers OH duty at the White
House and at the executive offices
SHOULD be on their guard against him.
The photograph was turned over to
the secret service officers.
Nothing was seen or the man until
yesterday, when the President attend
led morning services at Grace Reform
led church. Elliott appeared near the
lentrance to the church and made an
effort to speak to the president, but
he was foiled in his endeavor by the
secret service officers. AT that time
the man manifested symptoms of in
sanity and quietly left the vicinity Of
lthe church When ordered to do so by
1.-THE officers.
AT about 10 o'clock this morning he
appeared at the executive offices. En-
ltering the vestibule he inquired for
president Roosevelt. One of the door,
keepers asked him why he wanted to
see the president.
"Oh, just for fun" he responded.
1.-The president sent for me and JUST
want to see him."
Elliott was told 70 return next
month. He smiled n walked away
not offering the slightest objection to
the rebuff which he. had received. His
appearance attracted very little atten-
Ition 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, We're warned to be on the
lookout for the man ana rot to take
any chances with him.
Shortly before - o'clock Elliott
walked u to the main door of the
White House. stepped inside in
quired of Officer Cissell if he might
lSee the president. 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
POSSIBLY arrange to see him after a
while. Instantly. the man having been
recognized. Il hurry call was sent for
a police van Scarcely had the cal
been sent in when Elliott became VIC
lent. The officers and attendants
threw themselves upon him and after
a brief but strenuous struggle over
powered him. Officer Cissell made 2
Icursory examination OF his pockets
but found only a pair of shears and 2
large pen knife. The man became
quiet. but refused to leave the White
House until he vas forced TO 20. The
i%oficers conveyed him to the police var
(which by that time was waiting at the
southeast gate of the White House
grounds.
The struggle in the a occurred al
most Immediately after Elliott had bee
placed in the vehicle. He drew his re
i~volver from a pocket which seemed I
be an enlarged watch pocket. AS that ]
a most unusual place in which t
carry a pistol. officer Cissell in his bur
lried search had overlooked the weapon
The pistol was an ordinary bull do
five shooter, of a cheap pattern.
At the Emergency Hospital. where hi