The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-06
CRAZY MAN FIGHTS
 ID SEE PRESIDENT
Hand tO Hand Encounter in
 the White House
OFFICERS OVERPOWtR HIM
After Being Removed to Police Van the Prisoner Starts Another Fight and He and Secret Service
 Man Are Injured.

l Washington, October 5.-A desperate l hand to hand encounter with an armed l insane man who was determined to see President Roosevelt occurred in the vesti- | bule Of the White House today shortly before noon today. The man gave his name as Peter Elliott and his home as Minneapolis. He was overpowered by the officers on duty at the White House and carried to a police van which had been 1 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 the furious struggle with his captors for liberty He drew revolvers from the right side pock- ct of his trousers and attempted to shoot Officer James Cissell. The officer grabbed his hand and wrenched the weapon from his grasp. Elliott's struggles were so fierce however, that the two officers in eramped quarters of the van were unable to overcome him. Officer Cissell then drew his revolver and fired two shots to attract attention.
 Chief Usher Thomas Stone and Officer ately under the signature that the writer had assisted in carrying Elliott to the van, hurried back to the vehicle and as- sisted in overpowering him.
 Elliott Severely Cut
 During the struggle within the police van, Elliott had broken a glass panel with his head, severely cutting his head and face. Offices Cissell sustained a ser- ious cut on his right arm, two inches of flesh being cut off the fieshy part of the arm. He suffered considerably from loss of blood, but his injury Is not serious. The van was hurried to the emergency hospital, where the injuries of both Cis- sell and Elliott were dressed.
 Elliott Is undoubtedly violently insane. Several days ago Secretary Loeb received letter postmarked Washington and writ ten on letter paper of the St. James ho- tel of this city. The letter enclosed pho- ograph of Elliott and an incoherent re- quest for an interview with President Roosevelt. The letter was signed Peter Ell" The statement being made immedi- ately under the signature that the writer was registered at the hotel as Peter El- liott. It was evident to Secretary Loeb that his correspondent was insane, and he issued directions at once that the officers on duty both at the White House and ex- ecutive offices should be on their guard against him. The photograph was turned over to the secret service officers.
 Saw the President Sunday.
 Nothing was seen of the man until yes terday, when the President attended morning services at Grace Reformed church. Elliott appeared near to the en- trance of the church and made an effort to speak to the President, but was foiled in his efforts by the secret service offi- cers. At that time the man manifested no symptoms 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 Renter ing the vestibule, he inquired for Pres ident Roosevelt. One of the doorkeepers lt rxrtx ln tAd fo President. "Oh, just for fun" he re- sponded.
 All the officers, both at the White house and the executive offices, however, were warned again to be on the lookout for the man and not to take any chances with him.
 Shortly before 12 o'clock Elliott walk ed up to the main door of the White house, stepped in and inquired of offi- cer Cissell. if he might see the Presi- dent.
 Officers Recognized Him.
 Chief Usher Stone and officer Harper were standing within the vestibule at the time. MT. Stone told the man he could not see the President just at that mo- ment that he was engaged, but that he might possibly arrange to see him after d while. Instantly, the man having been recognized, hurried call was sent for police van. Scarcely had the call been sent in when Elliott became violent The officers and attendants threw themselves upon him and after brief but strenuous struggle oyerpowered him. Officer Cis- sell made a cursory examination of his pockets, but only found pair of shears and a large pen-knife. The man became quiet but refused to leave the White House until he was forced to go. The officers conveyed him to the police van which by that time was waiting at the southeast gate of the White House. A struggle in the van occurred immediately after Elliott had been placed in the van. He drew his revolver from pocket which seemed to be an enlarged watch fob. As that Is an unusual place to carry pis- tol, Officer Cissell in his hurried search had overlooked the weapon. The pistol was an ordinary five shooter of cheap pattern.
 At the Emergency hospital where his wounds were dressed, Elliott said he was a Swede and that his home was in Min neapolis. From the hospital the man was taken to the first precinct and incarcerat- ed in one of the detention wards. An in- vestigation into his mental condition will be held soon.
 At the St. James hotel it was stated El- liott arrived there last Wednesday even ing. He registered as "P. O. Ell' New York. He had no baggage and paid for ms room III advance. lie cOnuuCteu HIT self at the hotel in a quite gentlemanly manner, and nobody with whom he came in contact imagined he was insane Elliott is about feet 6 inches high, 35 years old, with light brown hair and beard and apparently is of foreign birth.
 We'll Known in Minneapolis. Minneapolis, Minn., October 5.-Peter Ol sen Elliott, also known as Peter Olsen who was arrested at the White House today. is well known South Minneapolis character. He lodged for several months up to two weeks ago, at 245 Cedar avenue going to Washington to occupy the White House. They thought he was joking Hc disappeared and nothing was heard of, him in Minneapolis till today. Elliott Is of Danish birth. He Is strong socialist and an anarchist debator. El- l Hot, or Olson, was retcent as to his TOT mer life. He had no relatives in this coun- | try, so far as can be learned.
 | Elliott was removed from the police | station late this evening to the govern ment insane asylum. The transfer was made without difficulty. Elliott went to the church early yesterday and during the first part of the services occupied seat in the gallery overlooking the pew in which the President sat. He left the church at the beginning of the commun- ion service and leaned against the fence railing of a house just below the church There he awaited the exit of the Pres ident. When the President emerged from