The Savannah morning news., 1902-05-11

March, 1877, was detailed for duty at
the White Hotuse, when President
Hayes felt the need of a larger organ
ization Being a telegrapher, Mont
gomery Immediately began the install
lation of what has grown into perhaps
the most complete bureau of contiden
tial communication in the world. He
started with a single instrument--the
flrst ever used in the White House
Topped to the regular commercial sys-
tenn and personally sent and received
the Presidents messages. Gradually
the value of this service demonstrated
itself; the connections with the tele-
graphic system of the world was made
closer. In 1878 Mr.. Montgomery was
offered lieutenant's commission in the
Signal Corps, but declined it to remain
at the White House. He has filled
every position in the office, having act
ed as secretary in charge at times dur
ing the absence of others.
Most Complete Service in the World.
Foreseeing the coming Of the Span
lsh War; he organized and equipped the
bureau so completely that, during that
struggle, the President received reports
from the Cuban battlefelds and from
the naval operations half around the
globe in record time. In some in
stances the executive was Immediately
IN communication with the firing line
of the army in Cuba. At the outbreak
OF the war Mr.. Montgomery volun-
teered his services, and, on the recon-
mendation of Gen. Greedy chief signal
officer, was appointed a captain in the
regular army. He was afterwards
commissioned as lieutenant colonel of
volunteers from which rank he
honorably discharged.
The history of that Geographic Of
nee in the White House has been the
history of the United States for the
past twenty-five years. During the
riots of 1877 the President was kept in
touch with every phase of the trouble,
and he sent orders and proclamauons
through the medium of Montgomery
key. The Chicago railroad riots like
wise found the President at Montgom-
ery's elbow, wiring orders to and re-
ceiving reports, from Gen. Miles.
When disasteS occurs, as at Johns
town or Galveston, the President is
placed in direct communication. When
elections are being held the White
House feels the pulse of the people.
With twenty-five wires it is possible
TO make direct connection with the ca
bles. Thus the world rs girdled, and
OIle Office never closes.
Col Montgomery has now staff
under his command, tried and expert
operators. Great secrets have been
con1ded to him. No man can truth
FULLY assert that he has ever broken
faith. Not the least whisper of scan
Gal has ever breathed upon him. NO
!lVlng man would dare suggest to him
the possibility of a corrupt bargain.
repeatedly he has worked through the
night at the White House key with
President at one elbow and secre-
tary of state at the other, manipulat-
ing the nerves of the world For TWEEN
ty-fve years he has been, in effect,
the Presidents eyes and ears.
Was LincoIn's Body Guard.
William H. Crook, the executive clerk
and disbursing officer, was detailed
from the Washington police force on
Jan. 8, 1865, as a bodyguard to Presi-
dent Lincoln. He journeyed with Lin
coin in the spring to City Point and
Richmond, marching by his side with
one hand upon a pistol butt. When
the party returned to Washington no
one knew of Lees surrender until the
oonfires were seen cleaning on the
mills. Mr.. Lincoln himself asked
crook the meaning of the demonstra-
uons. On the night of the assassina-
uon Mr.. Crook was detailed to re-
main at the White House. He feels
mat If he had gone to the theater he
would have saved the Presidents life,
perhaps at the expense of his own Tor
ne would have guarded the box door
IN person.
During President Grants second
Term Mr.. Crook served, for a short