Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03
DEED OF INSANE man
Two Men in War Depart
ment Shot by Wm.. 0'Brien.
HIS DEFIANT MOOD
rs QUICKLY DIsARMED BY LIEUT..
GEN. CHAFFEE.
o'Brien is an Ex-Soldier, Who Was on
Parole From st. Eliza
beth Hospital.


vision on the third floor to register COM
plant about his pension papers. He held
a brief interview with Mr.. Charles Brandt,
the chief, and suddenly drew from his
pocket Smith Wesson revolver, from
which he fired two shots. One bullet enter
ed the side of Robert j. Manning, mes
senger, and the other was stopped by the
left arm of Arthur Wicker. clerk. The
former was seriously wounded, but the lat
ters injury will not cause much trouble.
After the affair was over there was hole
noticed In the ceiling Of the room. and 1t
was thought the insane man had hred a
third shot from his weapon and that the
bullet had entered there. 1t turned out,
however that only two shots were hred
James ]. Dawson. messenger, cauen.
the insane man and held him while Lieut..
Gen. Adna r. Chaffee disarmed hlm
O'Brien was not inclined to submit auletly
to arrest, and it was necessary TOT Hen,
Chaffee to use a little violence before he
succeeded in disarming him. He also re-
heved him of bundle OF papers.
O'Brien Arrested.
OBrien was detained in the building until
the arrival of the police, when he was
taken to the third precinct station for safe
keeping. Majors Kean and Ireland of the
surgeon generals office attended the
conveyed to the Emergency Hospital, where
their wounds were dressed. 1t will prob
ably be necessary for the surgeons to ope-
rate upon both patients later in the day or
tomorrow.
The affair caused great excitement in the
building, and the screams of some or the
ladies employed there tended to increase II.
Today was diplomatic day at the State
Department, and a number of representa-
tives of foreign countries were gathered IN
a room not far from where the shooting oc-
CURED. Several of them went to the hall
way when they heard the reports OF the
weapon and got in the line of bullets from
the madman's weapon had he felt disposed
to continue his firing. They remained IN
the hallway only a short time, however,
Japanese minister was among those who
were in the building at the time. Gen.
Chaffee came along just at the right time.
and showed intrepid courage In seizing and
disarming the man.
At the time OBrien entered the office and
addressed Mr.. Brandt there were several
persons present. They included j. w. Lee,
Arthur Wicker Miss Emma Saxton, Miss
Mary Hillery, Robert Manning and ]. A.
Mclaughlin. 1t is conceded that Mr..
Brandt and Miss Saxton are fortunate that
they We're not killed, for the insane man,
who was furloughed from the asylum this
morning, pointed his weapon at their heads.
.OBrien left the asylum this morning for
the purpose of attending to some pension
matters. 1t is certain that he was not
armed when he left there, and 1t is believed
that he purchased the weapon on his way
to the department When he entered the
office and told what he wanted Mr.. Brandt
started to tell him that he was in the
wrong office, and was referring him to the
proper officer when the weapon was drawn
and pointed at him. Mr.. Brandt slid Off
his chair upon the floor, and the bullet
entered the arm Of Mr.. Wicker.
Manning Tries to Escape
Mr.. Manning, realizing the danger, made
an effort to get away, and the bullet that
was aimed at Miss Saxton's head struck
him. 1t was then that Messenger Dawson
took hand in the proceedings, and held
the raving man and prevented the firing OF
additional shots which, in all probability,
would have wounded other clerks.
O'Brien reached the War Department at
early hour this morning and hung
around the building for over an hour. He
then went upstairs and was escorted to the
mail and record division by Mr.. Charles
Cannon, one of the clerks. The man was
introduced to Mr.. Brandt, the chief of the
division. and expressed dissatisfaction with
his discharge papers. Brandt referred the
man to the proper official. Then without
word of warning, he drew the pistol from
his pocket and aimed it directly at Mr.
Brandts head.
The greatest CONSERVATION prevailed in
the department when the sound of the shots
was heard. Women rushed from the rooms
screaming, and soon were Joined by a num-
Der Of the men clerks. From every quarter
came army officers in uniform and a vast
throng clogged the corridor where OBrien
was struggling to break away
The prisoner was inclined to be ugly while
being detained under arrest, but would say
nothing to those about him.
Is Lodged in Cell.
Sergt. Jack and Policemen Cats and
Lake of the third precinct, who were
called to the department, took charge Of
him and held him in custody until the ar
rival of the patrol wagon, when they went
with him to the station house on K street.
near the corner of 21st street. O'Brien
quieted down when he saw the policemen,
and had very little to say, If anything at
all. On reaching the station house he was
lodged in cell, after being searched, and
Policeman Cats was detailed to stand
guard over the cell, lest the man should
attempt to do personal violence to himself
The principal sufferer, Robert Manning.
was born in England and was appointed
temporary messenger in the War Depart
ment about year and half ago. The
other victim, Arthur Wicker was born
in Germany in 1880 and was appointed to
the War Department from the District of
Columbia in 1875. He is a veteran of the
civil war and is now rated as 1000 tenn
porary clerk.
OBr1en'S OeHance.
William J. OBrien or William Duffy, the
prisoner. was born in Ireland forty-two
years ago. He served under the former
name as member of Company H, Sd Ar
tillery. and under the latter as a member
OF the 9th Cavalry. In 1893 he was sent to
St. Elizabeths Hospital for the Insane.
and was sent there second time in 1897
He was regarded as harmless, and was
permitted to leave the building and grounds
on parole. Just after being turned over to
the police the prioner said to Policeman
Cats: Yes. shot 'em. and I'm sorry l
didn't kill 'eni. would have killed more
of 'em If the gun had gone off.''
Mr.. Wicker said, after the shooting. that
he did not know O'Brien was in the room
until he heard him say, Il want my money,
and want 1t now"
He then turned and received the bullet
in his arm
Mr.. Manning said he saw the caller and
heard him engaged in conversation with
Mr.. Brandt. He regarded him as harm