The Florence daily tribune. (Florence, Colo.) 1898-1903, 1898-10-10
HIS SECOND INAUGURATION.
Lineoin's Personal Escor. Was Armed VITA
Pistols and Clubs.

Lincoin's Personal Escort Was Armed With
Pistols and Clubs.
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 IL 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, "will 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
vague sort of information about
conspiracy against the presidents
life, but there was nothing tangible
enough to enaLle them to make ar
rests. That their suspicious were
well grounded WAS well determined
just 80 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. Herefused to have himself
surrounded with soldiers at the in
augural exercises, but finally con
scented that Ward II. 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
DESTINATIONS display of arms or
force. General Lamon at once sum
moned 10 United States marshals
from different parts of the country,
selecting those who, in his opinion,
were brave, loyal, athletic and
shrewd. / was one of the o, fact
which ] have always attributed to
the general renown of Kansas men
as fighters rather than to any per
sonal prowess was known TO pos
sess.
Il shall never forget the consulta-
ton held between these 3 marshals
at the house of General Lamon on
the night preceding inauguration
day. II 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. / remenb Der
that several of the marshals sug
gested the possibility of an attempt
upon the presidents life with an
airgun. We We're 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
Willard's hotel TO the White House
and surrounded the Presidents car
riage. | remember that the presi-
dent appeared TO be considerably
annoyed Mt 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
laddrese. we closed in around nim
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 or assas-
sination anywhere along tho route,
though, OF course, ne indications
could have been expected until the
actual assault took place.
"That 18th day of March, 1865, was
the worst day / have ever seen in
Washington. 1t was dark and
gloomy and the air WAS filled with
snow and rain. Tho bedraggled
plumes and accouterments to be seen
in the military procession which
followed the presidents carriage
were 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-
Spouse to burst of cheers from the
spectators along Pennsylvania ave
nue..
II have had many hopors bestow-