West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-27
An Aged Doorkeepor.

AZ the door leading into the room of the
Secretary OF the Navy, Washington. there
stands an old cOlored man, tall, straight and
dignihed. The capillary covering of his
venerable head Is getting gray with age
Ills name II Lindsay Muse. For fifty two
years, without miCrmiSson. he has swung
to and fro the door OF the Secretarv's office.
and every one of the $50 DAYS Of the wear.
rain or shine, finds him at his post. Lind
say Muse has known almost every officer
oi the army and navy, from general and
admiral down TO lieutenant and ensign
who have had business with the navy de.
partment for half century. lie was born
In Northumberland county, Virginia. m the
year 1900. Being more fortunate than
some oi his colorcd brethren he mnde his
way TO Washington when quite "A young
man, and, having worked about the Navy
Department at different times his fidelity
and industry made him many friends who
had him appointed assistant messenger nm
der Secretary Samuel l.. Southard in 1928
Since that time lac has been ON continual
duty, AMI has served under the following
Secretaries: John Branch. Levi Woodbury..
Dickcrson, James X. Paulding, George l.
Badger, Abel l.. Upshur David Hcnshnw.
Thomas w. Gilmer, John Y. Mason.
George Bancroft, William Ballard Preston.
William A. Graham, John j. Kennedy.
James {. Dobbin, Isaac Touccy, Gideon
Wells, Adolph +. Boric George AI. Robe
son, and the present Secretary, Richard w.
Thompson, OF Indiana. The colorcd man
has outlivcd NIL of these gentlemen, cXccpt
two, viz: George Bancroft, the eminent
historian, aud George NJ. Robcson, member
ot Congress from New jersey. AT the
time this old servant first appeared on duty,
John Quincy Adams was President but
Lindsay sticks whether the administration
is Democratic, Republican, or anything else.
lie never voted in his life, and is firm nd
vocate of the civil service rules. Almost
every Secretary when leaving the Office has
thanked this doorkccper Tor his faithful
and intelligent performance of duty, and
has given him an autograph letter testify
ing To his high regard Tor him. These let
tcrS Mr. Misc keeps locked up from human
eyes, bat brought forth one for the reporter
To look at. lie says ii is fai% sample of
them all. The following is "A copy of the
letter:
LINDSAY MUSE: | cannot leave the De
partmcnt without expressing to you my
nigh sense OF your fidelity and good CON
duct AS messenger of the Navy Department.
Your manner in performing your duty has
always met with my perfect appreciation.
GEORGE BANCROFT.
WAsnNGToN, December | 1916.
When Mr.. Thompson was made Sccrc-
tary of the Navy, Mr.. Robson, his prcde-
cessor, brought him out To Introduce him to
Lindsay Muse Shaking his hand warmly
Mr. Thompson said: "Oh! Lindsay and /
don't need an Introduction, we have been
friends for the last twenty years" Last
year, when the officers Of the Navy Depart
ment were removed into the new building.
Admiral Scott and several other gentlemen
about the department took up "a subscrp.
ton and purchased Lindsay "A handsome
black suit of clothes, 80 that the depart
ment and It's oldest servant could appear
together in "A new dress. Lindsay Is now
over sevcnty-four years of age. but ,he ~
still strong and active. He says that he
expects TO be ON guard for many years vet.
and that when he is ut last compelled to
retire he will do so with great regret