New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-04
SHOT IN VAR BUILDING.
General Chafee Disarms a LuHdtic
Who WOunded I'5CO Clerks.

Washington. March s-Armed with q 3s-calfbrs
revolver William J. O'Brien. alias William Duty.
an insane discharged soldier. entered the War De-
partment this forenoon. and going 20 Room No.
227 IN the Mail and Record Division. shot Robert
J. Manning a messenger. and Arthur Wicker.
clerk Miss Emma Saxton. another clerk. barely
missed being shot through the head The injury TO
Manning IS on the right side Just above the KID
news and IS regarded dangerous. Wicker was
shot in the left arm above the elbow. Before the
maniac could fire a third time he was Overpowered
by James J. Dawson. a messenger. 1t required the
combined strength OF half dozen men finally 70
subdue him. Prominent among them was Lieuten-
ant General Chafree- The lunatc stin held the
smoking weapon in his hand when General Chaffes
noticed IT, and with his left hand the mans
throat took the weapon from him and the papers
IN his pocket. Majors Kean and Ireland, Of the
Surgeon Generals STAFF. were hastily sent FOR. and
gave first aid the injured men before they were
taken to the Emergency Hospital
O'Brlen came 10 the War Department early IN
the day. and hung around the building FOR
hour. lie then went upstairs. and was escorted
70 the Mail and Record Division by Charles Gan
non one OF the clerks He was introduced by
Charles Brandt the CHIEF OF the division. and
expressed dissatisfaction with his discharge papers.
Then. without a word OF warning. he drew the ps-
tol from his pocket and aimed It directly at Mr..
Rrandts head. Brandt lodged. and the bullet en-
tered the arm OF Mr. Wicker. He then pointed
and the bullet struck Manning. There were i've
for the Quickness OF Dawson. the maniac would
probably have shot them all Dawson. however.
seized him. and held hun until assistance came
The greatest CONSIDERATION prevailed IN the de-
partment when the shots were heard .Woraen
rushed from the rooms screaming. and soon were
Joined by a number OF the male clerks. From every
quarter came army officers IN uniform and great
throug filled the corridor. where OBrien was
struggling break away from his captOrS- Inc
man was taken 10 the police statIon. ~ Isqurins
four men TO get him out OF the building.
Brien WAS admitted to st. kuZauCth5 Asylum
I'm 1898. lie was paroied. but was returned IN 4o5'
lie served in the 5th cavalry ana so Artllleryji -
The principal sufferer. Robert Manning. was porn
In England and was appointed a temporary mes
senger in the War Department about year ana
hoiP AGO lie was appointed from Detroit on the
personal recommendation Of the late senator Nc
campaign with Senator McMtllan's son Inc Other
victim Arthur Wicker, was born IN SIeFInany IN
Ig0 and was appointed to the var department
from the District OF Columbia IN lSl9 he Is Vet
eran OF the Civil War and is rated as a SLOW tenn
pOraTy clerk , - . 49, ,,-,,
mats were in the reception room. scarcely a nun
dred feet from the of the shooting curiosity
led some look around the corner out they spesd
iv vvithdrew from range OF the excited man waving
his pistol in the hall. 1t was some time before
order restored and me StInRlOyes III inc ue-
Officials OF the War Department are incensed at
the superintendent of St Elizabeth Asylum Tor
iSg7 IL is said O'Brien paroled and came to
the department a number or times lie became 50
ing that the department officials informed the su-
neTintendent of the asylum that the man was a
dangerous character and should be confined
O'Brlen will be arraiSned IN the ponce court 10
morrow on the charge OF assault with intent TO
KILL and probably viii De recommitted promptly 20
the Insane asylum. Manning. the more seriously
Emergency Hospital 70 the Washington BaTraeks
Hospital. where an \ ray examination , VIII 1e
Wicker was able 10 leave the Emergency Hospital
for his home.