Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-10-06
| ETERMINED TO SEE
The PRESIDENT
Hand to Hand Encounter
With Desperate Man.
GAVE NAME AS PETER ELLIOTT.
Officers on Duty at White House Have
Desperate Encounter with Alleged In.
sane Man, Who Was Supposed to
Have Designs Upon President.

/
sane Man, Who Was Supposed to
Have Designs Upon President.
Washington, Oct "a desperate
hand-to-hand encounter with an armed
insane man who was determined to
see President Roosevelt, occurred In
the vestibule of the White House short
| ly before noon today.
The man, who gave his name at
Peter Elliott, and his home as Minnie
iNapolis, was overpowered by the officers
on duty at the Waite House and car
! ried 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
furious struggle with his captors for
| liberty. He drew a revolver from
| the right side pocket of his trousers
and attempted to shoot Officer Brasel.
The officer grabbed his hand and
wrenched the weapon from lhis grasp.
Elliott's struggles were so fierce,
| however, that the two officers in the
cramped quarters of the van were un-
able to overcome him. Officer Girls
| sci then drew his revolver and fired
two shots to attract attention.
Chief Usher Thomas Stone and Of
ficer Parker, of the White House force,
who had assisted in carrying Elliort
to the van, rushed back to the vehicle
and assisted in overpowering him.
van Elliott had broken a glass panel
head and face.
Officer CrisselI sustained a serious
cut on his right arm, two inches OF
flesh being cut off the fleshy part OF
the arm. He suffered considerably
from loss of blood, but his injury is
not serious.
The van was hurried to the Elmer
gency hospital, where the injuries OF
both Crissell and Elliott were dress
ed
Elliott is undoubtedly violently in.
sane. Several days ago Secretary
Loeb received a leeter, postmarked
Washington, and written on letter pa.
per of the st. James hotel, this city.
The letter enclosed a photograph of
Elliott and an incoherent request for
an interview with President Roosevelt.
The letter was signed "Peter ELL" the
statement made Immediately after the
signature was that the writer was reg
istered at the hotel as Peter Elliott
1t was evident to Secretary Loeb that
his correspondent was insane and he
issued orders 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 photo.
graph was turned over to the secret
service officers.
Nothing was seen of the "a y until
yesterday, when the president attend
ed morning services at Grace Reform.
ed church. Elliott appeared near the
entrance to the church and made an
effort to speak to the president, but
he was foiled in his endeavor by the
secret service offers. AT that time
the man manifested no symptoms OF
insanity and quietly left the vicinity
of the church when ordered to Go Sc
by the officers. About 10 o'clock this
morning Elliott appeared at the exec.
utive offices. Entering the vestibule
he inquired for President Roosevelt
One of the doorkeepers asked him why
he wanted to see the president.
"Oh, just for fun" he responded.
"The president sent for me and
just want to see him"
Elliott was told to return next
month He smiled and walked away,
not offering he slightest objection to
the rebuff which he had received. His
appearance attracted very little atren.
tion, and he gave no indication at that
time Of insanity.