Evening star., 1901-12-14

Mr.. Charles Sidney Draper, for many
years detailed for duty in connection with
the Senate committee on the District OF
Columbia. has witnessed or taken part In
many historic events. Mr.. Draper entered
the service of the government as a page in
the Senate nearly half century ago. and
almost continuously since that time.h has
been connected with the work of the Sem
ate. He has been selected on many occa-
sions for assignments requiring trust
worthy qualities of the highest degree, one
of these occasions being at the time just
prior to the Inauguration of President
Hayes. There was at that time some fear
that an attack might be made on the Presi-
dent-elect because Of the excitement that
had grown out of his elevation to the presi-
dency. and when he came to this city he
was placed under the watchful care of Mr..
Draper. he being a guest at the home OF
Senator Sherman, on K street Upon ms
arrival at the Sherman house he was In
troduced TO Mr.. Draper and told that
the committee having his Inauguration In
charge had decided that as a matter of
safety no one was to be permitted to see
hira who was not known to Mr.. Draper.
Mr.. Draper was told that he should be
thoroughly satisfied that the President
elect was seen by no one in whom ne dld
not feel absolute confidence. There was
also an understanding that Mr.. Hayes
should not leave the house, but he gave his
attendant a serious scare one night when
the latter failed to find him within, and
finally rushing to the street discovered that
he had gone out for a walk. Mr.. Draper
protesting against such exposure to dam
ger the President-elect said he had to have
some fresh air. as he was tired of being
Gagged Mr.. Diapers duties were ended
when he had escorted the President-elect
to the White House, and then he returned
to the Senate to resume his duties there.
A few days later there was genuine
D--- for ha N h1d
had the care of the President. He was in
formed that he would be reduced in position
in order 20 make room for young man In
accordance with a request of the Presi-
dent. Before this order went into effect
the Sergeant-at-armS of the Senate had
letter from the President declaring that
he had no intention that Mr.. Draper should
be injurioUsly affected by his request, but
that. the other hand. he hoped to hear
of his friends promotion. Ever since that
day the man who looked after the Presi-
dent-elect has been in the employ of the
Senate.
There is a sad story behind the resigna-
tion of Second Lieut.. ]. H. Bradford, 18th
Infantry, son of the late Lieut.. Col. Brad
ford Of the 10Th Infantry. Young Bradford,
who was ordered to the Philippines, disap-
peared from San Francisco IN mysterious
manner about three months ago, and the
War Department was unable to secure any
information as to his whereabouts until
few days ago, when he was found living in
a boarding house in st. Louis eking out
a precarious existence as a teacher and
wheelwright under an assumed name. A
brief investigation showed that the young
man had lost his mind, and his condition
was attributed to the fact that he had
severe attack of jungle fever while serving
in the Philippines nearly two years before.
II was undoubtedly the recollection of that
experience which led to his desertion at
San Francisco and made him hide from the
military authorities He placed in
detention ward at Jefferson barracks St.
Louis. for observation, and while there
rendered his resignation His friends en-
deavored to Keep him in the army on the
theory that his malady would yield to
treatment, but Lieut.. Bradford paid no at
tention to their appeals and insisted on the
acceptance of his resignation. That action
was taken by the President a few days
ago and young Bradford is now out of the
military service.
The great care that is exercised in provid-
Ing for the wants Of senators was shown
the other day when Senator Tillman, just
before the Senate was called to order, clap
ped his hands and asked the page. who
rushed TO his side, for a penpoint. He gave
no tntimation to the kind of penpoint he
was accustomed to use The page quickly
tripped to an unoccupied desk and ran his
eye over a list of senators on which was
named the kind OF pen each of them uses. In