Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-09-10
DEMAND
A Man Arrested for Wanting to See
President Roosevelt.
WAS ARMED WITH LOADED REVOLVER
The Wisdom Demonstrated Of tho Guard
Over the President 10 Insure HIS safety
while the Prisoner Talked Ration-
ally II Was Seen He Was Insane.


Oyster Bay, N. T., Sept. 3.-Frank
Weilbrenner was arrested at Sycamore
Hill late Tuesday night while making
o persistent demand to see President
Roosevelt The man was armed with
revolver fully loaded. He was taken
to the village and placed in the town
prison after being denied three times
in his desire to see the president Yes
terday Weilbrenner was taken to
Mineola, L. l., on an evening train and
placed in the custody of the county
authorities.
It appears that President Roosevelt
was aware Of the trouble the secret
service officer had with Weilbrenner
Tuesday night. After the man had
been turned back the second time, de-
spite his insistence that he had an
engagement with the president the
officer, to make assurance doubly sure,
inquired Of the president about the
fellow. Mr.. Roosevelt was in his IL
brary only a short distance from the
spot where the officer had stopped
Weilbrenner's horse. He told the Off
Ger he had no engagement with any
body.
When Weilbrenner returned third
time with a demand that he be per-
mitted to see the president the officer
seized him and drew him out of the
vehicle over the front wheel. The
scuffie attracted the presidents atten-
ton. He appeared at the door over
looking the driveway from the veranda
as Weilbrenner was being taken into
the stables, but returned to the IL
brary, almost Immediately.
Weilbrenner has been practicing
with his revolver recently, but he
would give no reason for his interest
In craftsmanship and yesterday said
he could not shoot very well.
1t appears that one Of his brothers,
who attended the examination yester-
day afternoon, is metal worker and
belongs to labor union in Brooklyn.
Some time ago he lost his position and
went with his wife to his fathers
farm at Syosset. The farm is good
one but the family is in debt for 1t
and the father, Henry Weilbrenner,
and the son who was arrested Tues
day night have been working hard to
lift the Indebtedness. The son from
Brooklyn is said to have talked good
deal to his brother recently about la
bor unions and about the loss Of his
position. 1t is thought that the hard
work and the trouble over the farm in
debtedness had something to do with
upsetting Weilbrenner's mind. The in
cident is the first serious occurrence
Of the kind during the presidents
summer sojourn at Sycamore Hill. 1t
has demonstrated completely, In the
opinion Of officials here, the wisdom Of
the close and systematic guard which
ls maintained at all times over the
president. He is exposed frequently,
It is true, to assault, but every care
that human agencies can devise Is ex-
ercised constantly to insure his per-
sonal safety and immunity from dan
ger. Personally he was not perturbed
BY the Weilbrenner incident, but, al
though the maintenance Of the guard
IL often distasteful to him. he
thoroughly realizes the necessity, In
the circumstances of having made as
certain as possible the personal safety
Of the president Of the United States.
While Weilbrenner talked nationally
to the officers It seems evident from
his conversation that he is demented.