The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-04-15

CAPTAIN DENSMORE's PECULIAR
CHARGE AT THE CAPITOL.

He Guards the President-The Man who
Stands Between the chief Executive
and the Weapons of Dangerous ANA
Fanaticai Cranks-His History
OF the thousands who weekly visit the
executive mansion not one fails to ask
who the tall, heavily built man is stand
ing either close by the presidents side or
lowering near him. and few forget when
once told, that 'he's Captain Densmore.
1t is a Massachusetts citizen that has in
his keeping the safety of President Har-
rison and of the White House family.
+. S. Densmore, the captain" rs he
is oftener called, is an important person
age in the White House economy The
charge committed to him is no light one.
The life of the president of the United
States, while not as thorny as that Of the
Russian car, wouldn't be worth a row
of frost bitten peach trees if one or two
Of the people who think they have
grudges against him could get within
range Of the president, Hardly a week
passes but threatening letters are re-
ceived from cranks and persons who
breathe out intimidations and promise
swift vengeance. These are at once
made Captain Densmore's property. If
the crank is from Washington he gen
orally knows him; il not, he soon makes
himself acquainted with the needed in
formation. Densmore seems to know
cranks by instinct, aud none get further
than the door or the vestibules. Then
he coaxas and manages till the crank or
the bitter person with wrong in his
eye leaves, sends in IA card or writes
note, which never reaches the president,
who is Thus left with but little knowl-
edge Of the annoyauces and dangers at
tending him daily.
WHITE HOUSE GUARDS.
The White House, during Hayes adj
minisuMion, found its guard democrat
lied. Densmore, who was a marked
man by this time, was sent for. He re-
signed from the police force and went TO
assist in guarding the lives or presidents.
From that time on he has been ut the
mansion almost continually During
Clevellnd's administration he resigned
and went to Massachusetts 10 look after
the interests Of 4 Fitchburg firm. Dur
ing that time he took up 4 residence ia
the Bay State, where he is sull Il voter.
When Harrison came to Washington
before the Inauguration Nit. DensnOre
was sent for aud requested To assume
charge Of President Harrison. just Is he
had Of Cleveland lit his inauguration.
Although still ID the employ OF the
Fitchburg house he consented TO re-
main Till the inauguration was over.
Prior 70 March A the life Of the presi-
dent-elect is matter Of solicitude, and
every danger is guarded against None,
not even the hotel servants. is allowed
to enter the presidents apartments until
Densmore has looked him over and nro-
nounced him harmless. After the inau-
guration the captain remained as guest
and guide for a few days, and later, at
the urgent request Of the family, he as
sumed his old position as chief guardian
Of the presidents life and the rampant
between the family and an envious pub
lie
When the president leaves his office
for public reception in the East room
the tail man is close at his side He has
looked over I'LL the people, and satisfied
himself there is no suspicious characters
in the house. Then he fills up one pocket
with beautiful pistol, and the crowd
files singly either between him and the
president. to whom he performs the in
Productions, or by hin first, and then
the president, as they stand side by side.
CONSTANT WATCH.
Dehsmore has his eye on every one; on
hands for suspicious movements, and ON
faces for any token Of danger, while on
the other side of the line is another
guard who keeps his eyes open also. and
the president takes it all without wink
Sometimes queer things happen at re-
ceptions. and people seem to think Cap
tain Densmore must be some relative or
at least high official. One old man
got out the door after seeing the presi-
dent, came back, and insisted on shaking
the vice presidents hand.
Immediately after inauguration. and
during the first two years Of an admins
tration. presidents life is always held
to be in greatest danger.
Captain Densmore himself is not on
station at night at the house, but is in
charge Of all arrangements. and is par
ticular that the most muscular men
shall be at the door For the man who
sees that the presidents sleep is undis-
turbed he has picked out the strongest
and finest specimen of manhood on the
Washington police force
In the grounds the watchmen are UNI
der his eye, and the night men have
learned that it doesn't do to neglect
duty or run chances by taking nap,