The Washington times., 1904-03-04
O'BRIEN'S VICTIMS
OUT OF DANGER
Alleged Maniac Remanded
for Investigation.
DRINK CAUSED DOWNFALL
Dishonorably Discharged From Army,
Man Had Annoyed War Depart
ment Officials for Years.

paroled patient from st. EliZabeth's
Asylum FOR the Insane. who shot and
wounded two War Department en-
ployes yesterday, was taken to the Po-
lice Court today and rcmI 3ded to Jail
Assistant District Attorney Ralph
Given suggested TO Judge Scott that in
view Of the fact that o Brien was still an
inmate Of the institution. and the super
intendent Of the asylum had requested
be be sent back for treatment. that
there be no hearing in court on the
Charges of assault with intent to kill.
Mr.. Given said there was every proba-
bility Of O'Briens being sent back 70
the institution. and il would be use
less expenditure of time and money to
begin prosecution against him and later
nave TO turn him over TO the authorities
OF the insane asylum
Examination Ordered
Judge Scott remanded O'Brien to iaiI
with instructions that Dr. Shute. the
physician at the jail. examine him as
10 his mental condition and make his re-
port to the court tomorrow Should DR.
Shute decide that OBrien is rational
and responsible for his actions. the man
VIII be tried on two charges of assault
with intent to Kill. If the physician re-
ports him TO he of unsound mind. he
viii be turned over to Superintendent
White. Of St. Elizabeth's Asylum
Both Of the men who were wounded
by O'Brien are practically out of dan
ger and the doctors at the two hospi-
tails where they received surgical at
tention say they do not think it will
even be necessary to operate upon
either. unless some complications arise
Bullet Left IN Arm.
Arthur Wicker. Of 1904 Street north
west, the clerk and veteran of the civil
war who was shot in the left arm. was
released from the Emergency Hospital
yesterday. after having his injury
dressed. The physicians say the small
32-caliber ban is imbedded in his Ief;
arm somewhere near the shoulder. and
does not give him any Inconvenience.
When asked whether an operation
would be performed on Mr.. Wicker, the
physicians at the Emergency said they
did not think it would be necessary.
judging from his present condition. He
may call at the hospital several time.
10 have his injury dressed, but no seri-
Gus consequences are anticipated as a
result OF the shooting.
Mr.. Manning's Condition.
Last night Robert j. Manning. the
War Department messenger, OF I1Sl
Fifteenth Street northwest. who re
ceived wound in the region OF the
thigh. was removed from the Emergency
Hospital. where he was taken immed-
lately after the shooting, to the general
hospital. at Washington Barracks.
The physicians at the barracks said
this morning that Mr.. Manning wa
resting quietly. and they did not think
IT would be necessary to operate upon
him. They say they believe the small
piece OF lead is located somewhere in
the fieshy part Of the side, rsar the
hip. and unless Mr. Manning's coadi-
ton changes greatly. there will be no
necessity for extracting the ball.
oBrisn's Threat.
IF President Cleveland will not civ,
me justice, / have instructed nv wife T.,
take my two children. tie them TO
gether. placard them, and leave them on
the White House steps"
This is one OF the many threats VIII
liam J. O 'Brien. alias William Duffy.
made in 1897, when he was striving to
have change made in the dishonorablc
discharge given him by army officials.
Annoyed Colonel Ward.
In 1897 Colonel Ward had trying ex-
BtileHCcs Win - Bflen, who was al
lowed TO leave St. Elizabeth's Hospital
at times, and always went to the War
Department TO make an effort 10 have
the discharge papers corrected, which
finally caused the tragedy at the War
Department yesterday Colonel Ward
made the following recommendation 10
Dr w W. Cooling, who was then su-
perintendent OF ST. Ellzabeth's:
This man is dangerous and should
be kept in closer confinement"
An Excessive Drinker.
Brien's insanity is said to be due
TO alcoholism. He is a bartender by
trade and has been much addicted ID
Equor. Excessive drinking at Southern
posts caused his mind TO become IN.
balanced.
As Duffy the man first enlisted N
tine army In 1883. in New York. and was
assigned TO the Sixth Cavalry. from
which he was hOnOrably discharged five
ears later. He rc-enlisted the same
year and was again assigned to n.
Sixth Cavalry. After serving one year
hc was C-ed by general court-martfal
al Fort Myer for absence without leave
WINS TO officers. and several other Of
lenses. ttC was sentenced 70 -four
rfcnths Of Imprisonment and dlshoDor-
ably discharged from the service
3u 1893 he again enlisted at Washing
ton Barra cks. giving the name OF VIII
fan J O'Erieu.