The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-03

/ 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
1t is Massachusetts citizen that has in
his keeping the safety of President Har-
rison and of the White Honse family.
E. S. Densmore, the captain as hs
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 row
Of frost bitten peach trees IL one or two
of the people who think they have
! grudges against him could get within
range of the president. Hardly week
passes but threatening letters are re-
| ceiyed from cranks and persons who
| breathe out intimldations and promise
swift vengeance. These are at once
made Captain Densmore'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 III his
eye leaves, sends in a card 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 adj
ministration, found It's 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 of presidents.
From that time on he has been al the
mansion almost continually. During
Clevelands administration he resigned
and went TO Massachusetts, to look after
the interests of Fitchburg firm. Dur
ing that time he took up u residence in
the Bay State. where he is still voter.
When Harrison came to Washington
before the inauguration Mr.. Densmore
was sent for and 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 guarded against None,
not even the hotel servants, is allowed
to enter the presidents apartments until
Densmore has looked MIN over and pro-
nounced him harmless. After the inau-
euration 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 tall man is 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 beautiful pistol, and 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, as 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, and people seem to think Cap
tain Densmore must be some relative or
at least a 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 ont the strongest
and finest specimen Of manhood On the
Washington police force.
In the grounds the vatchmen are IN
der his eve, and the night men have
learned that it doesn't do 10 neglect |
duty or run chances BIZ taking nap,
for Captain Densmore Is az likely TO be |
standing under the shadow OF a tree at |
midnight or 10 walk into the little guard /
house at o'clock a. In. as be is to DO on 7
hand promptly az the next morning I
for the first caller.
Outside the grounds he is not supposed 1
to attend the president unless requested. |
II has been his custom, however, to act /
as escorts 10 trains and De on haad for 1
the presidents arrival. Since Garheld's /
death the captain has never failed IN
this, because ne feels that If, as had
been his habit previously, be rad only
gone 70 the station with Garfield Guiteau
could never have shot the president
Boston Globe.
The largest animal known 20 EXIST II