Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-30
DENIES He IS INSANE
Henry Rosso Refuses to Re
turn to Asylum.
WEALTHY IMPORTER
FINANCIAL LOSSES SAID TO HAVE
IMPAIRED MANS MIND.
His Version Is That His Relatives
Were Dissatisfied With Terms
Of His VIII.
WEALTHY IMPORT Err

"A uOuDle8O100 C80o Wo8 ~ OD~A$S~ w 49,
police yesterday afternoon when the arrest
OF Henry Rosso. citizen OF Porto RICO
was asked by the officials of the Blooming
dale, N. T.. insane asylum, a. stated IN
yesterdays Star. Rosso. it was represented.
had escaped from tho asylum Tuesday and
come to this city, hoping to evade return to
the New York institution. He had told OF
his prospective destinations several days
before ne escaped and when the attendants
discovered he was missing they commune
Gated with Maj. Sylvester and the alleged
fugitive was located at the Arlington
Hotel.
Detectives Peck. Helan and McNamee
went to the hotel yesterday afternoon and
spent some time there before they finally got
possession Of the Porto Rican guest. Re-
alizing that tho detectives wanted him,
Rosso called upon the Spanish legation to
protect him. A representative OF the Span
ish government answered his appeal but
informed him that hs could take no action
in the case when he learned that he was
not Spanish subject. Rosso then sought
the services of Attorney Walter N. Davidge.
He declared to people In the hotel that ne
was about to be kidnapped and went to the
room OF Mr.. e. c. Crede, a representative
of Mexico, and only consented to accom-
pany the detectives when Mr.. Alvarez, Sec
rotary to the Mexican representative, said
he would go with him.
It was about 1880 O'Clock when the man
was actually placed under arrest and taken
to police headquarters. He talked to Capt.
Boardman about his troubles, and declared
there had never been any reason for his in
generation In an asylum. After q lengthy
interview with Capt. Boardman the alleged
insane man was sent to the first precinct
station, where he was made comfortable In
witness room for the night.
A Wealthy Importer.
While Rosso claims Porto Rico as his
home, he has been a resident Of New York
number Of years, and was regarded as
one Of the wealthiest importers in the me-
tropolis. 1t is stated that he made an effort
to corner the hemp market at one time, and
his failure cost him many thousands Of
dollars. Despite his losses he was still
wealthy. 1t is said. but his friends claim his
financial misfortune worried him so much
that he showed signs Of mental trouble. and
he was finally sent to the asylum for treat
ment. After reaching the hospital he re-
manned In bed most Of the time. Tuesday,
when he got ready to depart. he put a
dummy in his bed. How he managed to get
out Of the institution nobody seems to
know. Captain Boardman was informed
that Rosso had spent $4,000 for expensive
rugs and had sent them to auction rooms
to be sold as fast as they were received.
Rosso made good impression on the
detectives and others with whom he came
some of them that he was not insane. His
claim was that he had been sent to the
asylum because Of his money interests He
has securities in a Mexican bank valued at
interests. it Is stated, are worth several
times this amount. His wife Is in New
York. They have no children.
Speaking Of his troubles. Rosso said the
fact that he has no children caused family
discussions. and the tenor of his will added
to his troubles. He said he had made a will
in which he provided for number OF chari-
table institutions, as well as providing for
his relatives. Some Of the latter, he de-
clared, were dissatisfied with the terms of
the document, and. he alleges. started the
trouble which ended in his Incarceration In
the asylum.
An Examination Ordered.
Mr.. s. B. Lyon, superintendent Of the
Bloomingdals asylum, DR.. Durham and
Mr.. John s. Wise. jr., counsel for the insti-
tuition. were on hand at police headquarters
early this morning to arrange for getting
possession Of the alleged fugitive. The case
was referred to Sanitary Officer Frank al
Is the usual course pursued In such cases.
There had been some doubt expressed as to
the manner Of proceeding with the case. but
this question was soon disposed Of by the
sanitary officer. As Mr. Rosso had refused
to return to New York the sanitary officer
summoned Drs. Marbury and Vale, police
surgeons, and had them pass upon the men
tai condition of the prisoner.
They reported that he was suffering some
br ain disorder was shown by the records
brought here from the New York asylum,
where Rosso had been adjudged insane by
jury. Upon receipt Of the report Of the
police surgeons the sanitary officer consult
ed Assistant Corporation Counsel Sinclair
with a view to having him prepare the nee
essary petition to the court for hearing
In the meanwhile friends Of the man under
arrest visited him at the first precinct sta
ton and discussed with him the propriety
Of returning to the Bloomingdale institu-
ton. They pointed out to him that he
would be sent to st. Elizabeth's hospital
this afternoon unless he expressed q will
ingness to return to New York.
Mr.. Rosso announced that he objected to
returning, and his counsel, Mr. Davidge
Informed Capt. Boardman that II neces-
sary he will defend him In proceedings
which may be instituted in this city. Mr..
Wise was at first disposed to have the Judge
of the Probate Court hear the petition to-
morrow. and in this contingency Sanitary
Officer Frank stated that he would send
Mr.. Rosso to st. Elizabeth's this afternoon
to be held until the trial of the case. Later
dn the day. however. It was decided that
under law which is regarded as applicable
to this case ROsso can be returned to New
York without resort to further legal pro-
cedure, and that will probably be done
Attorney Sinclair stated that he will order
Rosso's release in order that the New York
authorities may take possession Of him.