Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-06
PRESIDENTS PERIL.
Armed Insane Man Tries ia
Force Way to Him.
Fierce Fight in White House VestibuIe
1.-Two Officers Injured.
Man Pronounced lnsane-Committed
to a Hospital.

Manu- encounter Will dIl dIllltU
insane man, who was determined to see
President Roosevelt, occurred in the
vestibule of the White House shortly
before noon, today.
The man, who gave his name as Pc
ter Elliott and his home as Minneapolis
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 then, for the first
time, that he was under arrest, Elliott
began a furious struggle With his cap
tors for liberty. He drew 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. Elliotts struggles were so
fierce, however, that the two officers in
the cramped quarters of the van We're
unable to 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,
rushed back to the vehicle and assisted
in oVerpoWering him.
In the struggle within the van Elliott
had broken a glass panel with his head,
severely cutting his head and face. Of
ficer CiSsell sustained a serious cut on
his right arm, two inches of flesh be-
ing cut out of the fleshy part of the
arm. He suffered considerably from
loss of blood. but his injury is not seri-
Gus. The van was hurried to the Emer-
gency hospital. where the injuries of
both Cissell and Elliott We're dressed.
Elliott is undoubtedly violently in
sane. Several days ago Secretary Loeb
received a letter postmarked Wash
ington and written on letter paper of
the st. James Hotel, this city. The let
ter enclosed a photograph of Elliott and
an incoherent request for an interview
with President Roosevelt. The letter
was signed Peter ELL" the statement
being Immediately under the signature.
The writer was registered at the
hotel as Peter Elliott. 1t was evident to
Secretary Loeb that his correspondent
was insane and he issued direction at
once that the officers on duty both 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. III '
Nothing was seen of the man until
yesterday. when the President attend
ed morning services at Grace Reformed
church.
Elliott went to the church early ana
during the first part of the services oc-
cupied seat in the gallery overlooking
the pew in which the President sat. He
left the church at the beginning of the
communion service and leaned 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 church he walked
quickly down the street toward Elliott.
Elliott stepped up to the President and
putting out his hand, said: president,
shake hands with Elliott" Without
slackening his rapid walk, President
Roosevelt, removed his hat and held
out his hand saying Il am glad to
meet YOU
Elliott was removed from the police
station, late this afternoon. to the gov
eminent insane asylum. The transfer
was made without difficulty Among
F,lliotts possessions We're numerous
clippings from newspapers throughout
the country describing and relating in
cidents in the life of President Roose-
Welt, and cards of the Minneapolis Pa
tent Co., of % Central avenue, Minnie
apolis. In one pocket We're manuscripts
written by him in the Swedish language
with his picture in different poses at
the head of each. These contained lee
lures on political and religious subjects.
On one of them was an address to the
American people, written in a rambling
and incoherent manner. 1t was lauda-
tory of President Roosevelt. The adj
dress spoke of the growing slavery
and shameful acts in grating and rob-
bling of milliOnaireS and capitalists on
every side" and said that before it is
too late the President wants to save
the neck of the miilionaires iii their
existence and their sons and daughters
from the bloody hand of rebellion" and
finally he wants to crush the trusts in
their childhood" Reference of a pleas
ant character is also made to the late
President Mckinley.
In his talk at the police station
Elliott declared he went to the White
House because The President asked him
to come and see him. He said he carried
pistol to protect himself and did not
intend to do any harm to the President.
He said he belonged to a church but
not to any societies and all efforts to
connect the man with the Anarchists
failed. The prisoner requested that
word be sent to A. A. Swan of 221S Iry-
ington avenue, Northeast, Minneapolis,
asking him to come to Washington.
Swans card was found on the prisoner,
: also letter addressed to P. o. Oloffs-
| son. BInghamton, n. Y.
! The prisoner said he had brought his
revolver in Minneapolis two months
ago and two weeks after left that place
and went to New York, and thence to
Philadelphia and Baltimore.
: About 10 o'clock, this morning, he
appeared at the executive offices
Entering the vestibule he inquired fol
PRESIDENT Roosevelt. One of the dool