The Washington times., 1909-12-03
Alleged Leper Bitterly De-
nounceS Arrest and
Detention.
OFFICIALS DIFFER
OVER THE CASE
Pension Authorities Declare He Is
Sound, But Wood ~ Thinks
Otherwise.

''The District has forced me into this;
am going to fight My attorney should
reach here this afternoon"
John r. Early. the man who was
once held as a leper BY the District
health authorities for year, defiantly
faced the first day OF a second impris-
onment at the quarantine station this
morning By making the above signIi-
cant statement. at the same time bitter
ly denouncing the manner IN which he
had been taken In custody as soon as he
reappeared I'm the Capital.
Developments have been rapid from
the moment that Early. who claims he
came here TO attend 20 a Government
pension matter. was guaranteed late
yesterday afternoon. That the District
Is TO be a defendant in some action
brought by Early was presaged today
when, simultaneous with his threat
there came a telegram both 10 the
Pension Office and the Health ONCE
from Egbert c. Everst a PIattsburg
n. Y. attorney. which read as follows:
''On what charge Is John r. Early
held prisoner and by whose orders ?
Wire me brief.', as his attorney. at my
expense"
The telegram was Immediately com
municated to Corporation Counsel
Thomas with request that he inform
Eariy's attorney that his client was
held here under the authority Of an act
eases In the District
Different Views.
Today developed too. an anomalous
situation as regards the Views held by
two branches Of the Government At
the United States Pension Office Il was
said that IN the eyes Of that branch
Early is a sound" man and that his
pension was discontinued IN accordance
with diagnosis Of that character.
To Health officer Woodward the nan
who is being detained Is a Ieper ard
he viii not be allowed 10 remain IN the
District unless under quarantine II
Early is held and again applies for a
pension for total disability, such will
be granted. It is explained by Commits
sioner J. L Davenport, only after Of
aeials Of the Pension Bureau again de-
clare he is a leper.
Early has in his pocket a voucher for
back pension at the rate OF s72 per
month, from June 4 20 August x. the
latter date being thar upon which he
was taken from the rolls
No attempt viii be made 20 hold Early (
In the District II he VIII return to New
York or some other state willing to re- Z
ceive him, was the statement made by !
DR.. Woodward this morning.
on the other hand, Early-s attitude /
seems 10 be that he g. a victim Of false
arrest and imprisonment and he intends !
70 proceed on these lines.
came here on personal affairs Of /
my own he explained, rather heatedly
this morning NO sooner was nv
presence in the city known than a war /
rant wds issued for my arrest 7 vol 4
unfairly surrendered myself and here
I am again a prisoner, foIlovinz NV re- Z
lease in July last and the diagnosis Of |
reputable men who said 1 was not a 4
leper.
Going To Fight.
The District has forced me into this (
thing; am going 10 fight my wav out
i did not come here with the inten- /
ton Of making any trouble for the
District. / am Indignant that some /
N''N---N INV ~ N'AiSNi uNu NY action. I
contemplated no trouble whatever. ana I
wasn't hunting IT, Anyone saying TO (
ne contrary is guilty OF falsehood. /
ny attorney is coming today. I will /
esRe any action he suggests. II he ad- /
VICES that I have a case against the
District. he can file H.
Since left the District quarantine I
July lest. I have spent my tn. I'M
New York. where I was pronounced 4
cured Of the skin trouble I had, In Rich .
mond. Va. and in Manchester Va J.
lConEnuod ON EIauan-- 49,