Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-05
Woman Demands to See
the President.
Refuses to Move From The
Executive Offices
Until ForcihIy Remoyed.-.Had a Grievance
Husband Had Been Discharged.

Washington, Jan. "A distressing
scene was enacted at the White House
executive offices today in which wo-
man was carried screaming from the
building because she refused to leave
without resort to force.
About one O'Clock a handsomely at
tired woman, apparently about so years
of age. entered the executive office and
inquired for Sec. Loeb. Through a mes
senger, she sent her card to the secre-
tary. On the card was engraved the
name Mrs. Minor Morris, and written
beneath it in ink was the address, the
New Willard.
Soc. Loeb was engaged at the mo-
ment and not recognizing the name,
sent Assistant Sec. z. +. Barnes to in
tCrview the caller and ascertain the ma
turc of her business. While awaiting d
response To her card. Mrs. Morris paced
up and down the reception room of the
executive office. appearing to be labor
ing under suppressed excitement.
As soon as Mr. Barnes made himsclfe
known TO her she Informed him that
she wanted to see the President She
tod Mr.. Barnes that her husband had
been discharged from the government
service and she wanted to demand from
tho President his reinstatement. or at
least to discuss the matter with him.
Mr.. Barnes explained to her that the
president had nothing to do with such
subjects and that she would better take
up the matter with the head of the de-
partment from which her husband had
been discharged.
Mrs. Norris refused to go and dared
anybody 10 try to make her 60
One of the White House officers APP
preached her but she stepped backward
and cried:
Don't touch me-. I'll sit down but &
won't go away" ~,
She sat down NJ convenient chair
and as the officer approached. she shook
her finger at him and shouted:
Don't touch me: don't you dare to
touch me. l am 50 years Old ana
never have had an officers hand on me.
lWant to sec the President" The Of
ficcr took her by the arm and tried to
Undue" her to rise and go out quietly
but she refused to move. A secret SER
vice officer stepped forward and the
two men had practically to lift Mrs.
Norris from her chair.
She hung back crying out distress
ln3'y but tho officers managed to get
her outside the door, They tried to
lead her away but she refused to go
and finally dropped down on the wet
and muddy pavement.
AS Mrs. Norris is q large woman tho
officers had difficulty in handling her
but they eventually picked her UP bod
lly ana with the assistance Of one of
the White House servants carried her
screaming to the police box on the east
SD" Of the White House. From there Il
call was sent in for n patrol wagon
When the wagon arrived Mrs. Norris
refused 10 enter it and Historically beg
g@d the bystand"rs 30 help her. She
WIS forced TO get into the wagon and
was taken to tn" Huosc of Detention.
There she WAS placed under the care
Of I'll" matron. who succeeded in calm
ing hcr
thus FAR no charge is filed against
Mrs. Morris. She has been a guest of
IN" New Willard hotel for about three
weeks. registering from the District
Of Columbia.
Mrs. Morris is the wife of DR.. Minor
Morris Of this city and is younger
sister of Rep. Hull of Iowa.
About 1900 Mr.. Morris was appointed
a clerk in the office Of the surgeon
genera! and in April. 1902. he was dis
charged. The reasons were not snoci
iI0aIly stated in the ofIicia, record Of
TIE case. Mrs. Morris was resting
quietly at the House Of Detention to-
night and was attended by physician
hut tn" officials were not prepared to
stat" what disposition would be made
Of her.
Mrs. Morris WAS released from tho
fl"us" of Detention shortly after :,
O'Clock this afternoon and returned to
the New Willard hotel tonight. She
refused t" SEQ any callers. sent word she
Wa: inIisposcd. She has been a guest