The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-06
HAND TO HAND
ENCOUNTER
Armed Insane Man Seeks to
Enter the White House.
HAS FURIOUS STRUGGLE
He Drew a Revolver and Tried
to Shoot Officer.
HAS FURIOUS STRUGGLE

| The man, who gave his name as Peter
Elliot. and his home as Minneapolis, was
overpowered by the officers on duty at
the White House entrance and carried u
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 ur7sr ar
rest Elliot began furious struggle with
the captors for liberty. He drew a re-
volver and attempted to shoot officer
James Cissell. The officer grabbed his
hand and wrenched the weapon from his
grasp. Elliot 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 10
attract attention.
Chief Usher Thomas Stone and Officer
Parker. of the White House force. who
had assisted in carrying Elliot TO the
van, attracted by the shots, rushed back
to the vehicle and assisted in overpower
ing him.
In the struggle within the police van
Elliot had broken a glass panel with his
head. severely cutting his head and face.
Officer Cissell sustained a serious cut
on the right arm. two inches of flesh
being cut out of the fieshy part of the
arm. He suffered considerably from loss
of blood. but his injury rs not serious.
The van was hurried to the emergency
hospital. where the injuries of both Cis-
sell and Elliott were dressed.
Elliot is undoubtedly violently insane.
Several days ago Secretary Loeb received
a letter. postmarked Washington. ana
written on letter paper Of the st. James
Hotel. this city.
The letter enclosed a photograph of FL
lot with an incoherent request for an
interview with President Roosevelt. The
letter was signed Peter Sll." the state
ment being made Immediately under the
signature that the writer was registered
al the Hotel as Peter Elliott. II was evil
dent to Secretary Loeb that his cores
pondent was insane and he issued direc-
lions at once that the officers should be
on their guard against him. The photo
graph was turned over to the secret serv-
ice officers.
Nothing was seen of the man until yes
terday when the president attended
morning services at Grace Reformed
church. Elliott appeared near the en-
trance 10 the church and made an effort
TO speak to the president bat he was
foiled in his endeavor by the secret serv-
ice officers. At that time the man mani
tested no symptoms of insanity and
quietly left the vicinity of the church
when ordered TO do so by the officers
About 1000 O'Clock this morning he APP
peared at the executive Offices. Entering
the vestibule he inquired for President
Roosevelt One of the door keepers asked
him why he wanted TO see the president
"Oh. just for fun, he responded. The
president sent for men and l just want
to see him."
Elliott was told to return next month.
He smiled apd walked away not offering
the slightest object TO the rebuff which
he had received. His appearance attract
ed little attention and he gave no iyica-
ton that time of insanity.
All of the officers, both at the White
House and at the executive Offices, how
ever, were warned again to be on the
lookout for the man and not to take any
chances with him.
up TO the main door of the White House
stepped inside. and inquired OF officer
Cissen if he might see the president
Chief Usher Stone and Officer Parker
were standing just within the vestibuls
at the time Mr.. Stone told the man
that he could not see the president just
at that moment as he vas engaged. but
that he might possibly arrange 70 see him
after while Instantly. the man having
been recognized. a hurry call was sent
for a police van. Scarcely had the call
been sent in when Elliott became violent
The officers and attendants after brief
but strenuous struggle. overpowered him.
Officer Cissell made a cursory exsmina-
ton of his pockets. but found only a
pair Of shears and 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 ~ that time was walt
ing at the gate OF the White House
grounds. The struggle in the van occur
red almost Immediately after Elliott had
been placed in the vehicle. He drew his
revolver from Il pocket which seemed
to be an enlarged watch fob. As that
is most unusual place in which 20 carry
a pistol officer Cissen in his hurried
search had overlooked the weapon. The
pistol was an ordinary bulldog FIVE
shooter OF cheap pattern.
AT the emergency hospital. where his
wounds were dressed. Elliott said that
he was a S.e1e and that his home vas
in Minneapolis From the hospital the
man was taken 10 the first precinct 20
lice station and inc2rcersted in one NJ
the detention wards An official examina-
ton a. 20 his mental condition vii BE-
held soon
At the St James hotel II was stated
that Elliott arrived there last Wednes
day evening re registered as p ..
Ell New York" He had no baggage
and paid for his room II advance lie
conducted himself about the hotel IN 8
quiet gentienzriy manner and NOBODY
with whom ne came in contact imagined
that he was Insane
Among E73iotts possessions we're Nun
circus ciipzsngs from newspaper through
%, the country describing snt relating
Incidents IN the life 81 President Roose-
welt and cards q the Minneapolis pat
eut once CT = Central avenue. Nina
sPoiis-
IN ore pocket were manuscripts wit
ten BY nm 81 the swedish language
These contained lectures OF political szs
religious subjects OF ore e them ~ss
Al address 70 the American re97ie- wit
ter In rambling and incohercnt fash
.on. IL was lzsiato-- q Pr~sztezt
Roosevelt TIE address spcke g, re
Exox1aG siaxery an6 sh21<ss. sc<z II