The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-04-18
A LONELY VIGIL.
THE MAN WHO GUARDS THE PRE-
SIDENT AT NIGHT.
He Was Appointed by MIR. lincoln
The Coat Which the Maryland Presi-
dent Wore When He Shot is Still In
His Possession,
From the Washington Post.l

His Possession.
From the Washington Post.
One of the most interesting chaTac.
tiers connected with the White House
is watchman who keeps guard over
President Harrison's household from
midnight until morning. His name is
Thomas Pendel, and be has been in
the service of the Chief Executive ever
since Lincoln held the position. He
was a personal witness of the tragic
termination of the war Presidents life,
and he has in his possession at present
the broadcloth frock coat that Lin
coin wore when he attended Ford 5
Theatre on the night when he was as
sassinated by Beoth.
He saw President johnson come in
and out of the White. House during
the latter's impeachment trial by the
Senate. He served under Grant and
Hayes, and during their Administra-
tions witnessed many changes in the
White House. He kept solitary vigil
in the main corridor of the White
House during the time that Garfield
fingered between life and death before
he was removed to the seaside. He
was with Arthur, too, and, although a
staunch Republican, continued in his
position under Cleveland's Democratic
Administration.
Mrs. Cleveland he learned to like
SO we'll that very good picture of her
| now ornaments his mantel at his home.
| When he first went into service his
| hours of watching were during the
day, but recently his time has been
changed to night. He is the only one
remaining of the four who were with
him under Lincoln.
| He served in the ranks during a
! part of the war of the rebellion and
has the look of a veteran. His beard
and hair are iron gray and his features
are bronzed. In his coy little home
at 3O4 NJ street northwest the other
day he talked Interestingly about
some of his experiences at the White
House, and exhibited two articles
which he is keeping in remembrance Of
Mr.. Lincoln. One of these is the coat
to which reference has already been
made. The coat, or rather what re
mains of it, as nearly every visitor a
the house has carried away q scrap a:
memento, is made of the fines
broadcIoth, cit in the style of tht
frock coat of that day. Its sleeve
are lined with costly white silk. Th,
left sleeve has been almost entirely
cut away. "Put your arm in the figh
sleeve" said Mr.. Pender. ''It's al
honor to have placed it when Lincoln'
was. President Hayes and others 0
the most prominent people of the coun
try have had their arm in there
Mr.. Pendel then exhibited nina
ture log cabin painted greeh and fit
ted up in its interior with fire place
bunk and clock. "This," said he
was made down in Virginia durin;
'he rebellion, and was presented to M
by Mr.. Lincoln's son, Ted. He is nov
dead, and l prize it very highly
"Do you remember Mr.. Lincoll
we'll ?"
Eyes. AS everybody knows, h
was plain and did not care much 70
show or display. He had kind heart
J uoWCSOi, auu AWAY tiCotCo S'Ci
body we'll, it matters not how humbi
he might be. His room was thai OF
cupied at present by Private Secretar
Halford. l remember young girl Q
woman, rather poorly clad, came
the White House one day and aske
to see Mr.. Lincoln personally. Th
request was granted and she Wa
shown into his room. He WAS engas
ed at the moment, and the young We
man, perceiving it, for some reason {
other became somewhat embarrasset
| Mr.. Lincoln saw that she did not tet
f quite at home and was troubled abot
something, and he accordingly got u
and came over to where she was an
: proceeded to quiet her. He told ht
that she was not intruding at all,
t take seat, and he would attend
r her wants in minute"
"Do you remember the night |
went to Ford's Theatre 2nd was a
sassinated ?"
Eyes; very well. | remember, to
: that he persisted in going, although
' was advised not to do SO. The peop
$ were expecting him, Ire said, is it ha
r been announced that he WAS going
attend the performance and he did n
3 mean to disappoint them. 1 saw Il
Presidential party get into the carr
age and sent policeman ahead
meet them on their arrival at Il
theatre. When l saw Mr.. Linco
ona;, bo IaJ Ioon obo. -