Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-03-24
HIS SECOND INAUGURATION.
Lincoln's Personal Escort Was Armed with

Ex-Governor Thomas A. Osborn
was present at the second Inaugural
ton of Abraham Lincoln as one of
the escort to the president. He was
associated with General Ward II.
Lamon. along with IA other United
States marshals from different parts
of the northern states.
"People who are able to refresh
their memory" Governor Osborn
said in recent interview, twill re-
member with what anxiety the in
auguration was approached. 1t was
believed that an assault of some
character would be attempted upon
the president. The government de-
tectives had been able to gain a
vague sort of information about
conspiracy against the presidents
life, but there was nothing tangible
enough to enable them to make ar
rests. That their suspicious were
well grounded was well determined
just 40 days later, when the presi-
dent was shot down by Booth and
the conspiracy came to light.
President Lincoln was rather
disposed to poohpooh the idea of
danger. He refused to have himself
surrounded with soldiers at the in
augural exercises, but finally con-
sented that Ward H. Lamon, who
was then marshal of the District of
Columbia, should take such steps as
he deemed necessary, stipulating,
however, that there should be no
ostentatious display of arms or
force General Lamon at once sum-
moned Is United States marshals
from different parts of the country,
selecting those who. in his opinion,
were brave, loyal, athletic and
shrewd. l was one of the IS, fact
which I have always attributed to
the general renown of Kansas men
as fighters rather than to any per-
sonal proves I was known to pos
sess.
II shall never forget the consulta-
ton held between these Is marshals
at the house of General Lamon on
the night preceding inauguration
day. 1t was explained to us by Gen
eral Lamon that an assault on the
president was feared. He believed
that an attempt would be made to
abduct him to the south. Some
feared assassination. l remember
that several of the marshals sug-
gested the possibility of an attempt
upon the presidents life with an
airgun. We were duly impressed
with the gravity of the situation
and prepared plan Of action which
was fully carried out on the follow
ing day.
''When the hour approached for
the president to proceed to the cap
itol to take the oath of office, we
rode in body on horseback from
Wizards hotel to the White House
and surrounded the presidents car
riage. I remember that the presi-
dent appeared to be considerably
annoyed at our solicitude, for we
kept in close order about the car
riage all the way to the capitol. All
of us carried pistols beneath our
coats, while in our hands we held
batons similar to those carried by
policemen. Arriving at the capitol,
we remained on the steps Of the east
front while the president entered
the senate chamber and took the
oath Of Office. When he reappeared
on the steps to deliver his inaugural
address, we closed in around him
and remained so until the end, after
which we escorted his carriage back
to the White House in the same
manner that we had escorted it to
the capitol. We saw no evidence OF
a contemplated abduction OF assas.
sination anywhere along the route,
though, of course, no indications
SoetAa aof . bSSlA S-APSSlSNA- QAlll lIlC
actual assault took place.
"That 4th day of March, 1866, was
the worst day l have ever seen in
Washington. 1t was dark and
gloomy and the air was filled with
snow and rain. The bedraggled
plumes and accouterments to be seen
in the military procession which
followed the presidents carriage
were a sorry sight indeed. The
president sat bolt upright in his car.
riage with his splendid face barred
to the storm, though now and again
he smiled and bent his head in re.
sponse to a burst of cheers from the
spectators along Pennsylvania ave
nue.. 4.5'ui
81 have had many honors bestow
ed upon me by my indulgent fellow
citizens, said ex-Governos Osborn
in conclusion, "but none Of them
made me prouder thanEmy appoint.
ment as one of the escort to mar