Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28
MENTALLY DERANGED
CATHOLIC DIVINE OF ALTOONA
PLACED UNDER ARREST.
Came Here, He Said, to Sc His Friend
"Roosy' - Escape of
Peter Elliott.

Rev Robert Waters, who is said to be as
sistant pastor of ST. Johns Cathedral at
Altoona Pa. came here to see President
Roosevelt reaching the city this morning
on a Baltimore and Ohio train from west
ernport Md, via Piedmont w. Va. The
object of his visit rs he explained II after
being arrested as an alleged crank. was to
get from the President the sum of s2,T.9,-
g9999 money collected to defray the ex-
pense of a trip l. Rome. 1t is his idea that
he is to be consecrated cardinal at Rome In
February, and adds: I'm to be made pope
of the last days
The report of the peculiar conduct of the
priest on the train and his actions in the
depot prompted Policemen Hayes and Nor
ris to place him under arrest. He was eS-
corted to the sixth precinct police station
where he was subsequently identified by the
Rev. Father Kelleher, the assistant pastor
of St. Aloysius' Church. 1t was proposed
by Father Kcleher that the man under
arrest might he cared for at Providence
Hospital but he soon reached the conclu-
sion that the latters condition would not
admit of this. lie the sanitary officer
and told him he thought treatment i'll the
asylum was the only remedy.
IN conversation with a Star reporter
Father Waters said he merely stopped in
this city on his way to Rome to see his ola
friend. "Roosy," as he called the President.
They were friends years ago, he said ana
the President had started the collection in
order to raise the funds necessary to pay
the expenses of his trip to Rome He SAID
the bishop of Altoona, the Right Rev. Gar
vey, had cut his own throat and died. IN
July last he (Waters) went on the sick llst
and visited friends in Westernport- Be
cause of the manner in which he was to be
elevated, he said. a special train was pro-
Vided 10 bring him here from Piedmont ON
his way across the ocean, he imagines, he
is to have an escort of a cruiser and man
ofwar
Awaiting Information.
The unfortunate man is dressed in cler-
iCal garb and has full beard. 1t was rep
resented to him that he was being held in
order that the question of his identity
might be settled by telegram from Father
Sheedy, pastor of the Cathedral
The message has arrived" said the man..
when he became impatient over what he
thought was needless delay Il heard II
come over the wire, and 1t Identities me all
right"
Picking up his valise, he said; Il must be
going now.
wait minute" he was told.
He waited but thought the police rather
slow In getting his message for him.
lie told the police that Fathers Donohue
and Gallagher at Westernport are two of
lis most intimate friends He also gave
The name of Michael Grant, II resident of
the same place as his friend. He says he
was at the retreat at Mount Loretto, Pa,
in July, and was taken sick shortly after
his return to Altoona.
The police surgeons will examine the
patient this afternoon and he Will probably
be sent to St. Elizabeth Hospital for the
Insane Steps have been taken by the au-
thorities to notify me pastor of the Cathe-
dral and other friends OF the priest
Escape of Peter Elliott.
The local police and secret service Of
fccrs were surprised this morning when
they read press dispatch telling of the
escape from the insane asylum at St
Peter, Mimi. of Peter Elliott, the crank
who caused so much trouble when he was
arrested at the White House last month.
As published in The Star at the time, FL
lott was arrested the 9TH of October at
the White House. He created scene just
after leaving the White House, and came
near causing the death of one of the p-l.ce-
men who had him in custody.
Elliott was resident of NJ nneanols.
where he made speeches on the order of
those made by social SITS. His coming to
this city was the result of a delusion that
lie was to marry Miss Alice Roos welt, and
he wanted the President 10 forbid the
bans 1t during the row in the cab
that the police got possession Of his load
ed revolver that he had carried in his SIDE
pocket and which lie had empt ed without
doing any damage. 1t during this row
that Policeman Ciscle was severely injured
ana he had 10 he taken To the hospital.
Ma messige had been received at police
headquarters this afternoon asking that
the officers be on the lookout for the fugi-
tive. The police had seen the dispatch n
the newspapers, however. and We're on the
alert The officers on duty at the White
House viii guard the portals of the mans on
to prevent Elliott from gaining access.