The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-01-29
A WHITE HOUSE GUARD.
CAPTAIN DENSMoRE'S PECULIAR
CHARGE AT THE CAPITOL.

AAF AIN 1ClNOnonCo 6GSOIIPsn
CHARGE AT THE CAPITOL.
Stands Between the Chief Executive
and the Weapons of Dangerous and
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."
It is Massachusetts citizen that has in
his keeping the safety of President Har-
rison and of the White House family.
e. 8. Densmore, the captain" as 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 czar, 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 intimidationsyand promise
swift vengeance. These are at once
made Captain Deusmore's property. If
the crank is from Washington he gen.
orally knows him; if not, he soon makes
himself acquainted with the needed in
formation. Densmore seems to know
cranks by instinct, and none get further
than the door Or the vestibules. Then
he coaxes' and manages till the crank or
the bitter person with wrong in his
eyealeayes, sends in card or writes
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-
ministration, found its guard demoral
ized.E 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 of presidents.
From that time OH he has been at the
mansion almost continually. During
Cleveland's administration he resigned
and went to Massachusetts to look after
the interests of Fitchburg firm. Dur
ing that time he took up residence in
the Bag State, where he is still voter.
When Harrison came to Washington
before the Inauguration Mr.. Densmore
was sent for aud requested to assume
charge.of President Harrison, just as he
had Of Cleveland at his inauguration
Although still in the employ of the
Fitchburg house, he consented to re-
main till the inauguration was over.
Prior to March the life of the presi-
dent-elect is matter of solicitude, and
every danger is gusFdeduyainst. None.
not even the hoteP servants. iss-arowed
to enterfthe presidents apartments until
Densmore has looked him over and pro-
nounced him harmless. After the inau-
guration tie captain remained as guest
and guide for a few days, and later, at
the urgent request of the family, he as
sumed bis old position as chief guardian
of the Presidents life and the rampant
between the family and an envious pub
lie. 1
When the president leaves his Office
for public reception in the East room
the tall lnaris close at his side. He has
looked over all the people, and satisfied
himself there is no suspicious characters
in the house. Then he fills up one pocket
with a beautiful pistol, snd the crowd
files singly either between him and the
president, to whom he performs the in
Productions, or by him first, and then
the president,sas they stand side by side.
A CONSTANT WATCH.
Densmore 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, andspeople 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, a presidents life is always held
to be in greatestydanger.
Captain Densinore 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 .that4the presidents sleep is undis-
turbed he has picked out the strongest
and finest specimen of manhood on the
Washington police force.
Inthe grounds the watchmen are un-
der his eye, and the night men have
learned that it doesn't do to neglect
duty or run chances by taking nap.
for Captain Densmore is as likely to be
standing under the shadow of tree at
midnight or to walk into the little guard
house at 2 o'clock a. M, as he is to be on
hand promptly at 0 the next morning
for the first caller.
Outside the grounds he is not supposed
to attend the president unless requested.
1t has been his custom, however, to act
as escorts to trains and be on hand-for
the presidents arrival. Since Garfeld's g
death the captain has never failed in
this, because he feels that if, as had
been his habit previously, he had only
gone to the station with Garfield Guiteau
could never. have shot the president
Boston Globe.
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