The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-01
The Venerable Doorkeeper of the Navy
Denartment.


Department.
At the door lea ling into the room OF
the secretary Of the navy, there stands
IN old colorcd man, tall, straight and
dignifed. The capillary covering OF
his venerable head is getting gray with
age. His pane is Lindsay Muse. For
fifty-two years, without intermission,
he has swung to and fro the door Of the
secretary's office, and every one of the
365 days of the year. rain or shine, finds
him at his post. Lindsay Muse has
known almost every officer of the army
and navy, from general and admiral,
down to lieutenant and ensign, who
have had business with the navy depart
ment for half a century. He was born
in Northumberland county, Virginia, in
the year 1895. Being more fortunate
than some of his colored brethren he
made his way to Washington when
quite young man, and, having worked
about the navy department at different
times, his fidelity and industry made
him many friends, who had him ap-
sointed assistant messenger under Sec
retary Samuel L. Southland in 1928.
Since that time he has been on continual
duty, and has served under the follow
ing secretaries: John Branch, Levi
Woodbury. Dickerson, James X. Pauld-
ing, George E. Badger, Abel P. Upsheer,
David Henshaw, Thomas W. Gilmer,
John Y. Mason, George Bancroft, Will
liam Ballard Preston, William A..
Graham, John J. Kennedy, James G..
Dobbin, Isaac Toucey, Gideon Wells,
Adolph E. Borie, George M. Robson,
and the present secretary, Richard w.
Thompson, of Indiana: The colored
man has outlived all of these gentlemen,
except two, viz: George Bancroft, the
eminent historian, and George M. Robe
son, member of Congress from New
Jersey.
At the time this old servant first ap-
peared on duty, John Quincy Adams was
| President, but Lindsay stickswhether the
administration is Democrat, Republican,
or anything else. He never voted in his
life, and is q firm advocate Of the civil
service rules. Almost every secretary
when leaving the Office has thanked
this doorkeeper for his faithful and in
telligent performance of duty, and have
given him IN autograph letter testifying
to his high regard for him. These let
ters Mr.. Muse keeps locked up from
human eyes, but brought forth one for
the Times reporter to look at. He says
it is fair sample of chem all. The fol-
lowing is q copy of the letter:
LINDSAY MUSE: cannot leave the
department without expressing to you
my high sense of your fidelity and good
conduct as messenger of the navy de-
partment. Your manner in performing
your duty has always met with my per-
feet appreciation.
GEORGE BANCROFT.
WASHINGTON, December l, lS46.
When Mr.. Thompson was made Sec
retary of the navy, Mr.. Robson, his
predecessor, brought him out to intro
duce him to Lindsay Muse. Shaking
ME- nand wagmly, Mr.. Thempsou eaid !:
ooh! Lindsay and I don't need an in
production, we have been friends for the
last twentK years." Last year, when
the officers of the navy department were
removed into the new building, Ad-
miral Scott and several other gentlemen
about the department took up a SUBJ
scription and purchased Lindsay hand.
some black suit of clothes, so that the
department and its oldest servant could
appear together in new dress.
Lindsay is now over sveenty-four
years of age, but he is still strong and
active. He says that he expects to be
on guard for many years yet, and that
when he is at last compelled to retire
he will do 80 with great regret.-WuSt.
ington Correspondence Chicago Times