The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-12-26
CRANKS THREATEN WILSON:
HE IS GUARDED CLOSELY
Twenty Menacing Letters Have
Come Since His Election-Se.
cret Service Men at His


Twenty letters from cranks, som,
of them menacing the life Of Pres
ident-elect Woodrow Wilson, hav,
teen sent to him since his election
il was learned by the World last
night.
Though the Secret Service mer
who are constantly guarding the
President-elect's life and those in biz
confidence ridicule the situation out.
wardly, it is known they feel the
greatest anxiety. The Governors
bodyguard of Secret Service men has
been greatly augmented since his ar
rival here from Bermuda on Mon
day.
It is said that no President-elect
has been guarded 30 closely az Gov.
Wilson is being. There is . con-
slant watch at his house in Prince
ton as we'll as at the Capitol In Tren-
ton. He never takes a step out Of
the view of the Secret Service men
and detectives. New York Central
Office detectives guarded him last
night when he attended the dinner
of the Southern Society.
Come From Several Sources
Three New Jersey mountaineers
were arrested charged with send
ing one of this sheaf of threatening
rissives. But the menaces began
arriving at Trenton before these men
were taken into custody, and the
letters have continued. One threat
vas sent to the Governor when he
was in Bermuda.
Just how many of these letters the
President-elect has seen could not be
learned. All were opened by one of
mis- secretaries, but it is thought Mr..
Wilson has been told of the state OF
affairs. Joseph p. Tumulty, his
chief secretary, was asked about the
threats at the Waldorf last night
After hesitating he said the Cover
nor had received many letters since
the election"
Then he was asked if a score of
them were not menacing. Again he
seemed to consider before he spoke
and finally said that about twenty of
the letters were obviously from
cranks, but they really could not be
construed as threats" He said they
had not been given to the Secret
Service for investigation.
Denied Increase in Guard
How about the increase in the
guard?" was asked.
1T has not been increased" he re-
piled.
While he was talking the twelve
Central Office men, all in evening
dress, were looking at him and his
questioner.
1t did not become known that the
Governors life had been threatened
TIL the three Wharton hillmen were
arrested. Then only one letter was
mentiOned--a missive demanding
that the President-elect pay $4,000
or his life would be forfeit. Yester.
day the three prisoners had a hear
ing and in these proceedings, though
not officially, 1t was disclosed that a
second threat had been sent to the
Governor.
This was revealed by the Govern
ment officials. The letter was mailed
from New York, under date of Dec.
Y, after the arrests at Wharton
United States District Attorney
Nreeland refused to reveal the con-
tents of the letter, Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Harry B. Lindab bury
is guarding It.
jersey Case Not Strong
Inc case against the three noun.
taineers--Warren and Jacob Dunn
and Seely Davenport-partly COL
lapsed yesterday. District Attorney
Vreeland and Assistant District Al.
torney Lindabury agreed to the dis. |
missal of the charge against Warren |
Dunn and United States Commission. |
er Stickton took under advisement |
a similar motion in the case Of Dav. |
Gov. Wilson was not present At
the hearing. A subpoena had been
issued for him, but it was tacitly un. |
derstood that it would not be held
binding upon assurance of Mr.. Tn.
m NNy No. -.