The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-20
CORPORAL TREASURES
LETTER OF PRESIDENT
Unique Honor of Cavalry
man Daniel L. Webster.
AIDED Mr.. ROOSEVELT'S BOY
Archie Wanted to Hear Father Speak at
Arlington, But Was Stopped by
Watchman-"My Papa is the Presi-
dent, He Said, and Got In.

Corporal Daniel L. Webster. Troop E,
! Second United States Cavalry. Is the
proud possessor OF letter from the
President Of the United States. He is
probably the only enlisted man now in
the service who has been honored with
such distinction and che of the few
upon whom the Chief Executive of the
nation has seen fit to bestow such favor
since the Declaration OF Independence.
It was on May 90 last that Corporal
Webster performed the service which
brought upon him the compliments Of
the President, and Private George G.
Sagendorf is also thanked for his service
by President Roosevelt Behind the re
ceipt OF the letter by Corporal Web
ster lies an incident which brings to
light only the more closely the fine per-
sonaI characteristics Of the President
On May go. which is universally eele-
brated as Memorial Day. elaborate cere-
monies are conducted at the Arlington
National Cemetery, where lie the bodies
Of so many of the nations dead. At the
services on the last Memorial Day Pres
ident Roosevelt was the orator of the
day and thousands we're gathered about
the amphitheateT where the services
were held
During the afternoon little Archie
Roosevelt. a lad of ten years or So saw
fit 10 ride over TO the National Gene
terry on his pony He was accompanied
~ Of 1o
ecutive Mansion who was mounted on a
wheel. but the little fellow set such
hot pace that his companion was left be-
hind on the hill leading TO the National
buryiDg ground
Waterman Barred the Way
Young Roosevelt started through the
gate Of the cemetery at a fast clip. but
the rein Of his steed was grappied by
dark-skinned man from the Sunny
South, who demanded 10 know by what
authority he dared to enter the hal
lowed cemetery
Il want to see my papa, the little
fellow declared, but this reply was sim
ply met with q rebuff from the negro
Waterman.
my Papa is the President"
At this point Corporal Webster and
Private sagendorf interrupted and re-
Iieved the negro from further RESPONSE
biIitv
who Is your papa. asked the@cor-
2orEl.
My papa is President. was the
quick response. and he's speaking and I
want 10 hear him. continued the
youngster.
Webster Immediately recognized the
boy as one Of the Presidential family.
and communicated with Lieut. F. E
LyIc h, who was the officer Of the guard
To officer directed that young Roosa-
welt pass through the lines. and this was
done without further formaIity. The hi
cycle messenger had arrived by this
time and was an interested spectator Of
the closing proceedings. After Corp-rai
Webster and Private Sagendorf had re-
tired ne asked their names. and the rom
munication from the President was the
result
While the letter was received ~ he
corr oral two or three days after The oe-
cuTSence, be made no mention II y. sx-
cept TO his comrades at the po55 H
had Two certified copies Of inc .a--er
made, one OF which he turned over 10
Private Sagend0Ff. while the other vas
mailed 10 his mother, who lives in Will
Transport, Pa. The original copy is Kept
secTeteG closely in Webster's locker. and
he treasures Il more than be ioe5 lis
life
Without Peer as an Athlete.
Corporal Webster has been in ne
army only twenty-one months, but y
senior corporal Of Z Troop. lie is ad-
mittcd to be the finest athlete among
the soldier boys stationed at TIE fort be-
ing not only feet OF foot, but one II the
most daring riders at the post T.. has
beaten all competitors in the athletic
events. AID his peer at mounting. dis
mounting, vaulting and the like cannot
be found among the troopers.
Private Sagendorf IS q recruit fro N
New York city, who was enlisted bc-arc
the troop left Fort Ethan Allen coT
Washington, several months ago He
was on duty fer the first time, when his
conduct met with the approval % the
President OF the United States
The letter is typewriter on ofi,4al
paper Of the White House. and was .Or-
waTded 10 Corporal Webster through the
War Department. It contains the Der
sonal signature Of the President Ibe
letter IS as follows
White House, May 81, 1902.
by Dear Sir-T am informed that
il was you. together with Private
George G. Sagendorf. who. yesterday,
at Arlington, met my little son, who
had ridden out on his pony and was
trying 10 get in the gate. but was
prevented By the two guards doubt
less in accordance with their in
stTuctionsJ and hat il was through
your courtesy that word was brought
which resulted in his being allowed
10 come in.
II you are the two troopers who
showed this consideration and cour-
Jesy 20 the little fellow. I thank you
both for it. Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Corporal Daniel L, Webster.
Troop Z, Second Cavalry. L. s. A