New-York tribune., 1909-02-08
BIT PROF. C. A. STRONG
J. D. ROCKEFELLER'S SON
IN-LAW ATTACKED.
Modman Scratched Him While Sit
ting IN Smoking Room Of
the BUbdrOSsa.


Charles A Strong. professor of psychology at
Columbia University. and a son n-in-lsw Of John
D, Rockefeller. while reading in the smoking
room of the North German Lloyd liner Bar
barossa at a. m. Saturday. suddenly
/ attacked by a madman of the first cabin and
badly scratched and bitten about the face.
Louis Leite. Brazilian. of Sac Paulo. about
thirty five years Old the man who attacked Pro-
fessor Strong. was removed to Ellis Island
soon the Barbarossa docked yesterday in
Hoboken.
Leite.. who says he is an American citizen,
having been naturalized after coming to this
country from Brazil eight years ago. kept much
to himself throughout the passage of the Bar
barossa from Naples. Passengers who fire.
quented the smoking room said yesterday that
he had not been drinking, but that he had at
tracted some attention by his melancholy de-
meanor and his incessant- use Of cigarettes.
Shortly after breakfast on Saturday Professor
Strong accompanied by his daughter. his
father and mother Dr. and Mrs Augustus H.
Strong and his sister. came up from the dining
saloon and walked several times around the
promenade deck. After the other members Of
the family were seated in their steamer chairs
Professor Strong went into the smoking room
and took his customary seat in rear alcove
on the port side.
Professor Strong opened a book and read for
about ten minutes when Leite entered the
smoking and took seat the starboard
side, at a large table occupied by Gustav j.
Helm. formerly state Senator of California.
Leite sat down and looked at Helm but said
nothing. While Helm ordered some cigars,
Leite arose and looked over at Professor Strong.
who was absorbed in his book and did not know
of Leite's presence in the smoking room.
When steward arrived with the cigars for
Mr.. Helm, the Brazilian turned around and for
moment took his gaze from Professor Strong.
Just as Mr. Helm was counting his change
and giving the steward tip. Leite sprang
around the tables and rushed at Professor
Strong. who was unprepared for the attack The
Brazilian struck Professor Strong twice in the
face with his fists knocking his victims spec
tacles to the floor. The loss Of glasses and
stinging blow on The nose partly dazed the pro
fessor, and he had little opportunity of defend
ing himself from a subsequent attack.
The scuf1e did not make much noise. and II
not until Professor Strong shouted at his
assailant that Helm and the steward realized
what going in the aIcove. Then they
rushed across the smoking room to the assist
ance Of Professor Strong, but not until Leite
had grabbed him around the neck Professor
StEpnEa nsna&eds -sEasl hold bIrt the
Rraziiian reached ont with both hands and
cIawed mis- face with his finger nails While he
held Professor Strong around the neck he bit his
right cheek
Helm, who is a strong and agile man. attacked
the Brazilian. and with the assistance of the
steward dragged him away from the alcove-
Professor Strong. with blood streaming down his
face. ran out deck and brought assistance to
Helm and the steward. who had Leite subdued
when Captain Bardeleben and his chief officer
and several stewards arrived.
The captain Of the Barbarossa stepped up to
Lete and asked gruffy why he had attacked
Professor Strong. The Brazilian. whose fury
had become somewhat Gained, stared at the
captain for a few minutes and then said: Il at
tackled that man because he has followed me for
a year and a half trying to put poison in my
food. I am sorry I lost my head
The statement enough for Captain Bar
deleben. and he ordered the locked up in
his stateroom. Leite protested, but he was fore
IDLY put under lock and key After resting for
several hours in his stateroom he became surly
again and tried to get out deck. He was
subsequently locked up IN the ships hospital.
and was not released until the steamer docked
yesterday.
At Ellis Island It was said that Leite suf
fering from paranoia. He protested that he was
an American citizen and should not be held
there. but owing to his mental condition and the
absence of proof of his citizenship he was de-
tanned.
Professor Strongs face showed 1ew marks
Of his encounter with Leite when he came ashore
Yesterday II was said that most Of the blood
that trickled down his neck after the attack had
come from his nose. After leaving the pier Pro-
fessor Strong and his daughter went TO the Hotel
Belmont
Professor Strong is forty-seven years old.
While instructor of philosophy at Cornell Uni
versity in 1889 he married Miss Bessie Rookie
feIIer, daughter of John D. Rockefeller. Mrs.
Strong died in France in 1906 shortly after her
father went abroad to visit her
Dr. Augustus Hopkins Strong, father of Pro-
fessor Strong, is president of the Rochester
Theological Seminary and professor OF sys-
tematic theology