Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-02-23
A WHITE HOUSE GUARD.
CAPTAIN DENSMORE's PECULIAR
CHARGE AT THE CAPITOL.

and the weapoI. of Dangerous and
FanaticaI Cranks-His History.
OF the thousands who weekly visit the
executive mansion not one fails 10 ask
who the tall, heavily built man is stand
ing either close by the presidents side OF
lowering near him, and few forget, when
once told, that hes Captain Densmore'
1t is a Massachusetts citizen that has IN
his keeping the safety Of President Har-
rison and of the White House family.
e. S. Densmore, the captain as he
is oftener called, is an important person
age in the White House economy. The
charge committed 70 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 row
Of frost bitten neach trees if one or two
of the people who think they have
rrudges against him could get WITHIN
range of the president. Hardly week
masses but threatening letters are re-
ceivea from craul and persons who
breathe out intimidations and promise
swift vengeance. These are at once
made Captain Densuore's property. III
the crank is from Washington he gen
erallv knows him; if not, he soon makes
himself acquainted with the needed IN
formation. Densmore seems 10 know
craplrs by instinct, aud none get further
than the door or the vestibules. Then
he coaxes and manages till the crank OF
the bitter person with "a wrong IN his
eve leaves, sends in caro- or writes a
note. which never reaches the president
who is thus left with but little knowl
edge Of the annoyances and dangers at
tending him daily.
WHITE HOUSE GUARDS.
The White House. during Hayes ad
ADMINISTRATION, found its guard demoral
lied Densmore, who was a marke'
man by this time, was sent for. He re
signed from the police force and went +
assist in guarding the lives Of presidents
From that time on he has been at tn
mansion almost continually. Durin
Cleveland's administration he resigne
and went to Massachusetts, TO look atte
the interests Of Fitchburg firm. Dun
ing that time he took up a residence l
the Bay State, where he is still votel
When Harrison came TO Washingto
before the Inauguration Mr.. DensmoI
was sent for and requested to assum
charge Of President Harrison, just as
had Of Cleveland at his inauguration
Although still in the employ Of u
Fitchburg house, he consented TO r
main till the Inauguration was owe
Prior to March the life of the pres
dent-elect is matter of solicitude, al
every danger is guarded against. Non
not even the hotel servants, is allow
to enter the presidents apartments un
Densmore has looked him over and pI
nounced him harmless. After the ina
curatiou the captain remained as que
and guide for a few days, and later,
the urgent request Of the family, he
sumed his old position as chief guard
of the presidents life and the rampi
between the family and an envious pr
lie.
When the president leaves his of
for a public reception in the East ro
the tall man is close at his side. He
looked over all the people, and satlst
himself there is no suspicious charact
in the house. Then he fills up one poe
with a beautiful pistol, and the Gro
files singly either between him and
president, to whom he performs the
PRODUCTIONS, or by him first, and q
the pie sident, as they stand side by s.
A CONSTANT WATCH.
Densmore has his eye on every one;
hands for suspicious movements, and
faces for any token Of danger, while
the other side of the line is anot
guard who keeps his eyes open also,
the president takes it all without a w
Sometimes queer things happen al
ceptions, and people seem to think
tain Densmore must be some relativ
at least high official. One old l
got ont the door after seeing the p
dent, came back, and insisted on shall
the vice presidents hand
Immediately after Inauguration,
during the first two years of an adm
tration, presidents life is always
to be in greatest danger
Captain Densmore himself is nc
station at night at the house, but
charge Of all arrangements, and is
ticular that the most muscular
- shall be at the door. For the man
sees that the presidents sleep is u
turbed he has picked out the stroi
and finest specimen of manhood OF
Washington police force.
In the groupds the watchmen ar,
der his eye, and the night men
learned that it doesn't do to ne
duty or run chances by taking a
for Captain Deusmore is as likely
standing under the shadow of II
midnight or to walk into the little g
house at o'clock a. m, as he is to
hand promptly at the next mo
for the first caller.
Outside the grounds he is not sup
to attend the president unless requ'
It has been his custom. however. {
as escorts to trains and be On han
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