The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-08-06
LINCOLN BODY GUAR
DESCRIBES
OF LOVED PRESIDENT

Yes, I am one OF the few men liv-
ing who have had personal relations
with Abraham Lincoln, and perhaps
the only one living who is telling the
story Of these before the public" was
recently stated by Hon. Smith Slim
mel. of Fargo, N. d.
Mr.. Stimnel, e practicing lawyer,
is II years old, but looks and az>ears
much younger. He is the possessor of
a certificate issued from the war de-
ne served in Abraham Lincoln's body
guard from October, 1863, until the
time of the Presidents death.
You ask how I got the appoint
ment?" he continued. 1T was In this
way. Late in the summer of SO Gov
ington, and was impressed with the
fact that the president was not suf-
fciently well protected. He applied
Immediately to the war department.
for permission to raise a body guard
from the state Of Ohio. This request
was granted and the governor at once
sent out a circular letter to the mill
tary committee Of the different coun-
ties asking for recommendations. l
was 10 years old at that time and had
been in service during the previous
year. This seemed my nance to re-
enlist. So I applied for the appoint
ment and was accepted.
We were 100 strong. all from
Ohio, INC I was one of the youngest
Of the company. We entered on our
guard the east and west gates lead
Ing to the White House and to escort
the president whenever ne left. the
White House grounds. He didn't take
very kindly to this, / understand, and
was once reported as saying: I don't
diers trailing around after me- More
over, he fatty refused to be escorted
whenever he went to the church or the
theater, saying that on those occasions
he alone would take the responsibility.
People some times ask me why this
president to be assassinated. The
chances are the tragedy would have
never occurred had we been on Guty
that night Of April IA. AS it was, his
footman was supposed to guard the
door to his box. He was a careless
down the aisle to watch the play.
which left the door unprotected, SO
that Booth was able to enter.
Did we have any personal relations
with the president? Now and then we
did. Sometimes when he was going
Mrs. Lincoln, and SO would stand
around among us fellows and pass the
time Of day. Mrs. Lincoln, too, was
always friendly, and often gave Us a
pleasant nod and smile, though L don't
| remember that she ever spoke dir city
to us. For some reason she disliked
Secretary Seward, and I shall never
forget hearing her say to the president
one morning in the most emphatic way.
II won't drive past Stewards house. I
won't do it At which Mr.. Lincoln
calmly ordered the coachman to drive
down a different street han the one
he had previously named.
w learned to know Abraham Lin
coin better in escorting him to and
from the Soldiers ~home--outside the
city limits. He used to drive out there
late in the afternoon or early in the
evening to spend the night, during the
summer He could sleep better there,
30 he said. At the Soldiers home he
was off duty and used to stroll around
the grounds with his hands in his pock-
cts and chat with the officers. Then,
| perhaps, he would come down to our
tents, look In at the doors and ask If
| we were comfortable, or now and then