New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-11
est politics than Senator Humans Sou'h Oaio
FORT THURBER ON 4 SUMNER BISIS.

FORT THURBER ON 4 SUMMER B/SI''
The latest military news from the seat OF gov
crnmcnt IS that Fort Thurber has been dls-
mantled, and its garrison sent into light, open
summer quarters. Fort Thurber, it VIII De IT,
mombered is the defensive structure that WIS
set I'D in the White House grounds at WashinS
TON several months ago-sOme said to protect t'ie
President from flank movements by the enemy
while others asserted that it was done solely 10
uuict Thurbcr At any rate, the fort was Duii'
inst onnositc the north entrance of the Executive
Mansion. so as to command all the approaches
from Pennsyvania-ave and enable the garliSoh
TO rake suspicious strangers fore and ait.
1t was not large fort. II held only one per-
son at "A time. and then there was just room
enough for a small coal-ol stove III the corner
But II was admirably adapted for the purpose
II was imprcgnabc, it was coscy. 1t was NEE 10
look at. To be sure. tramp did break in one
day while the garrison was at mess ana stole
the coal-oil stove; but that was misfortune mat
might bcfall any fortress. Generally speaking
the structure was Il success. IL accomplished
the twofold purpose of protecting Mr.. Cleveland
and Of alaying Thurber. And they do say
speaking of Thurbcr-hat several gentlemen
from th, Provinces. who had been in the habit
Of taking their guns with them To the Nhlte
House grounds on the chance of flushing Thur
Der as he passed along. abandoned the idea so
soon as they saw the fort and realized That the
person inside would always have the drop on
them Upon the whole, it was n real nice little
fort and useful withal. but. as we have explained
II is now dismantled for the summer ana, we
hear. is to be removed and slowed in the White
House cellar until October.
Washington people will miss Fort Thurber. 1t
was one of the sights OF the town Seen from the
avenue over the top of the shrubbery, it looked
like an interesting little wart. Seen at close
uuartcrs. il gave one the impression Of police
alarm box 1t YVES not its appearance. however,
SO much Ms its usefulness that affected the magi-
nation and endcared 1t TO the multitude 1T
sobcred even the most youthful and the most
light hearted 10 consider what tremendous
function that little box performcd-what n part
IT played in the happiness, the welfare and the
peace Of the American people. As the guide cx-
planned It's object, pointed out its strategic quail
tics. described It's armament and dwelt upon its
military value. tho eyes OF tho listener would
open wide with wonder and the heart OF the
listener soften and expand in gratitude. 10
think that 50 modest a thing as Fort Thurbcr
seemed to hc could sustain such gigantic rtSpon-
sibilitics and achieve such immeaSurablc results.
70 think that it projected the Atmosphere from
Dissertation and rescued Thurbcr from grim care
There has been suggestion that the fort would
now be- put on wheels and used as "A means OF
conveying Thurbcr safely to and fro between the
Presidents suburban residence and the city
This however We regard as mere rlb1ld bad
image Thurbcr has never been afraid for him
self He carries beneath that narrow but daunt-
less shirt front a heart Of high resolve He will
not shrink from the pcrilS Of the lonely road the
chance Of ambush or the thought Of SwarminG
foes Let him but show that the Consccratcd
one Is safe and he will ride down Woodlcy Lane
rs fcarlcssy rs though 1t We're Fifth-ayc.