Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-19
The President Safely Guarded.

Inc lo,UUO mile Journey which
President Mckinley and his Cabinet
recently completed calls up anew the
oft heard query: Is the President
attended by a bodyguard?
1t is not commonly known, but a
fact, Notwithstanding, that more pre-
cautions for the safety Of the Presi-
dent are taken than have ever been
thought necessary with any of his
predecessors.
There is not single moment dur
ing tho Presidents appearance in
public before crowds that he is not
within half dozen feet of his big,
powerful protector.
George Foster, skilled secret SER
vice officer, acts as the Presidents
bodyguard on all his trips through
the country. Foster is a tall, ath-
letic chap, strong as an OK and nervy
as Welshman. When the Prcsi-
dent steps out on the rear platform
OF his Car TO address the crowds at
railway stations, Foster is invariably
within a half dozen feet of him.
When the presidential carriage
drives through the streets Foster
follows in vehicle scarcely dozen
PAGES behind.
When the Executive visits some
city the chief Of police always details
four or five of his best men to "pro-
tcct" him. If the chiefs of police
who detail detectives to "protect"
the President only knew that this
sort of thing is Objectionable to that
official they would probably refrain
from detailing men. Of course it is
all right to assign one or two local
detectives to look out for local
"crooks," and there would be no
objection to this if the sleuths would
only attend to their own business.
But the point that displcascs the
President most is tho fact that the
local slcuths are always lowering
around him like bees around clover
patch. Foster, however, has the
knack of being around and on hand
without being seen.
An amusing incident occurred last
summer during the Presidents trip
into New England. The party
stopped at Mount Holyoke, where
his niece was attending school. A
big platform had been erected in
front of the seminary to be used as a
speaking stand. When the Prcsi-
dent alightcd from his carriage a tall,
gaunt, hungry looking citizen pushed
his way up to the carriage and at
tempted to open the door. Foster,
who was riding on the box, grabbed
the tall man by the arm and brushed
him aside
"IIold on here, what the !"
said the local slcuth. "Nhat arc YOU
doing? Pm chief hcre.'
"Chicf nothing" said Foster, as he
grabbed the tall man by the seat of
the trousers and literally threw him
through the crowd. The President
could not help smiling as he saw his
big, faithful bodyguard hurling the
local official through the air.
In Washington the President dis
pcnses with the formality of pro-
tcctor. Frequently he goes out walk
ing alone, and it is not uncommon to
see him i'll the parks and on the ave-
nues on a pleasant afternoon stroll
ing alone, or with one of his official
family. During the pleasant morn
ings he drives through the parks
with Mrs. Mckinley. While The
President is in Washington Foster
works in the Treasury building under
Chief Wilkie, of the Secret Service
Department. He has figured in the
capture of some Of tho most notori-
Gus and dangerous criminals in the
United States, his most recent work
being in connection with the capture
OF kcndig and Jacobs, tho Philadcl-
phia countcrfciters.
Foster gets his money from the
Secret Service Bureau, but at the
conclusion of every trip the Presi-
dent, through Secretary Cortclyou,
always sends him some little token
OF reward for his courtesy and attcn-
!ion.-New York Telegraph.