The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-10
An Aged DoOrItccprr.

At the door leading into The room OF the
Secretary of the Navy, Washington. there
stands an old colorcd man, tall, straight and
dignitied. The capillary covering of his
venerable head is getting gray with aye.
His name is Lindsay Muse For fifty two
years, without lntcrmiSSion. he has swung
to and fro the door Of the Sccrctary's office,
and every one Of the 3G0 days of the year,
rain or shine, finds hinbat his post. Lind
say 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 de-
partmcnt for half tentury. lie was born
in Northumberland county, Virginia, IN the
year 1905. Being more fortunate than
some Of his colorGd brGthrcn 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 appointed assiStanl messenger un-
der Secretary Samuel Z. Soulhard in 1928.
Slhcc that time he has been on continual
duty, and has served under the following
Secretaries: John Branch. Levi Woodbury.,
Dickcrsan, James X. Hauldlng, George l..
Badger, Abel p. Upsfla, David lTcnshaw,
Thomas w. Gllmer,a John Y. Mason,
George Bancroft, Willihm Ballard Preston,
William A. Graham, John }. Kennedy,
Jnmcs &. Dohbin, Isapc Touccy, Gideon
Wells, Adolph Il. Borit, George n. Robe
son, and tho present Secretary, Richard w.
Thompson, OF Indiana, The coorcd man
has outlivcd all of these gentlemen, except
two, viz: George Bancroft tho eminent
historian, and George VI. Robrson, member
of 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 adj
vocatc Of the civil service rules Almost
every Secretary when leaving the office has
thanked this doorkccper for his faithful
and intelligent performance of duty, and
has given him an autograph letter testify
ing to his high regard for him. These lrt-
ters hlr. Mise keeps locked up from human
eyes, but brought forth one for the reporter
to look ut. lie says ii is Il fai" sample of
them all. The following is copy of the
letter:
LINDSAY Muse: / cannot leave the De.
partmcnt without expressing to you my
high 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 BANCROrT.
W AsHISGTON, December |, 1916.
When Mr.. Thompson was made Sccrc-
tary of the Navy, Dir. Robson. his prcdc-
cessor, brought him out to introduce him to
Lindsay Muse. Shaking his hand warmly
Mr. Thompson said: ooh! Lindsay and /
don't need an introduction, we have been
friends for tho last twenty years." Last
year, when tho officers Of the Navy Depart
mcnt were removed into the new building.
Admiral Scott and several other gentlemen
about the department took up subscrip.
tion md purchased Lindsay handsome
black suit of clothes, 50 that the depart
mcnt and its oldest servant could appear
together in new dress. Lindsay is now
over scvcnty-four years Of age. but he Is
still strong and active. lie says that he
expects to be on guard for many years yet,
and that when he is nj last compelled to
retire he will do so with great regret,