The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-05
ARMED LUNATlC.
lie Seeks an Interview With
President Roosevelt.
His Name Peter Elliott, Resi-
dence Minneapolis.
AT WHITE HOUSE DOOR
Officers were watching for Him
and Acted promptly.
Bloody Fight Took Place in
Patrol Wagon.

! hand-to-hand encounter with an armed
insane man, who was determined to see
President Roosevelt. took place in the
ve8tibule of the White House shortly
before noon todav.
The man, who gave his name as Peter
Elliott. and his home as Minneapolis,
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 Seem
ing TO realize for the first time that he
was under arrest. Elliott began a fu-
rious struggle with his captors for lib
erty. He drew a revolver and attempt
ed to shoot Officer James Cissell. The
officer grabbed his hand and wrenched
the weapon from his grasp. Elliotts
struggles We're so fierce, however, that
/ the two officers in the cramped quarters
/ Of the van were unable to overcome
him. Officer Cissell then drew his re-
volver and fred 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 rushed
back 20 the vehicle and assisted in
/ overDoWerinG him.
! In the struggle within the police van
Elliott had broken a glass panel with
! his head, severely cutting his head and
face. Officer Cisseu sustained serious
cut on his right arm, two inches of
/ fish being cut out of the feshy part of
the arm He suffered considerably from
loss OF blood. but his injury is not Sc
rious.
The van was hurried to the emerg-
/ ency hospital where the injuries of
both CisseH and Elliott We're dressed
Elliott is undoubtedly insane Several
Gays ago Secretary Loeb received a let
Ter pOStmarked Washington and written
on letter paper of the St James hotel.
this city. The letter enclosed a photo
graph of Elliott and an incoherens re-
quest for an interview 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. 1t was evident to Secre-
tary Loeb that his correspondent was
insane and he issued directions at once
that the officers on duty botn at the
Whlte 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 of the man until yesterday when
the president attended morning services
at Grace Reformed church. Elliott ap-
peared near the entrance to the church
and made an effort to speak TO the
president, but he was foiled in mis- en-
deaVor by the secret service officers. Al
iLdl Tune the man manifested no SyTnp-
toms of insanity and quietly left the
vicinity of the church when ordered to
do so by the officers
About 10 o'clock this morning he ap-
peared at the executive offices Enter
ing the vestiblue he inquired for Presi-
dent Roosevelt. One of the doorKeepers
asked him why he wanted to see the
president. iOh, Just for fun he re-
sponded. THE president sent for me
and Just want to see him.
Elliott was told to return next month
He smiled and walked away not offer
ing the slightest objections to the re-
buff which he had received His ap-
pearance attarcted very little attention.
and he gave no indication at that time
of insanity.
All of the officers. both at the White
ever. We're warned again to be on .he
lookout for the man and not to take any
chances with him.
Shortly before l. o'clock Elliott walk
ed up to the main door of the White
House, stepped inside and inquired of
Officer Cissell if he might see the presi-
dent
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 lust
at that moment as he was engaged but
that he might possibly arrange to see
him after awhile. instantly the man
having been recognized. hurry call was
cali been sent in when Elliott became
violent. The officers and attendants af-
ter brief but strenuous struggle, over
powered him. officer CisselI made a
cursory examination of his pockets, but
found only pair of shears and large
pen knife. The man became quiet but
refused to leave the White House urR i
he was forced to go. The officers con-
veyed HIM to the police van. which by
that time was waiting at the gate of
the White House grounds. The strug-
gle in the van took place almost imme-
diately after Elliott had been placed in
the vehicle. He drew his revolver from
a pocket which seemed to be an enlarged
watch fob. AS that is a most unusual
place in which to carry a pistol Officer
Cissell in his hurried search had over
looked the weapon The pistol was an
ordinary bulldog five shooter of a cheap
pattern
At the emergency hospital. where his
wounds Were dressed Elliott said that
he was q Swede and that his home was
in Minneapolis. From the hospital the
man was taken to the first precinct po-
lice station and incarcerated in one of
the detention wards. An official exam
ination as to his mental condition will
be held soon At the ST James hotel
last Wednesday evening. He registered
as "P. O. Ell, New York" He had no
baggage and paid for his room in ad-
vance. He conducted himself a about the
hotel in a quiet, gentlemanly manner
and nobody with whom he came in con-
tact in$ gined that he was insane
Elliott is about feet 6 inches high. 35
years old with light brown hair and
beard. and apparently is of foreign
b.~eh-
Minneapolis. Mimi, Oct. 5-The di-
rectory gives the names of two Peter
Elliotts. Peter O. Elliott" a machin-
ist. is mentioned. and a 'sPeter P. Eli
ett,9 = who Is ar oiler in a -four mill An
endeavor to locate them was started
lin1uedia tely uDon the recent of the