Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-14
BODY GUARD OF
LINCOLN IS DEAD
Colonel Crook, VINO Had Seen Fifty
Years on White House Staff,
Passes Away.
WORKED WITH TWELVE CHIEFS

Colonel w. II. Crook. disbursing Of
ficer OF the white House. who was
President Lincoln's bodygusrd, and
who has been intimately acquainted
with every president since 1860,
died today at his homo here. He
had been sick with pneumonia more
than a week.
President Wilson expressed deep
regret when informed of Colonel
Crooks death. Last January the
colonel celebrated his fiftieth ami
versary az an attache OF the White
Hose. u
Colonel Crook Is survived by his
mother. Mrs. Mary A. Carton, who
is SO years old.
knew Twelve Presidents.
Fifty years OF service as White House
employo. through the administrations OF
twelve presidents. made Colonel William
III. Crook one OF the most familiar figures
In the national capital. and In his old age
left him rich in personal rominiscenoes
OF tho intimate side OF white House life.
Tho assassinations OF Lincoln and Gar
field. various wedding at the white
House. and the Impeachment OF President
Johnson were among numerous events
which Colonel Crook recalled, In memoirs
Of his hals century'of White House serv-
ice. ,
He was taken from the Washington 10
lice force IN 1866 and appointed President
1 tssA., -. I..1. z.
had served in tho linton army. He ac-
compan'ed Lincoln on many OF his, walks
and drives. and Il was his duty 10 watch
over the president during public recep-
tlons- Versa
Colonel Crook told often OF how, on the
afternoon before LIncoln's assassination,
the president had come TO him IN confi-
dence and said that on three successive
nights he had had dreams which forotold
his murder. Crook thercupon begged the
president not TO so to the thoater that
evening, as planned. Lincoln insisted
and furthermore would not hear OF crool'
accompanying him. He ordered Crook Il
60 home and rest As they parted. Ilin-
coin failed TO say Good nIght"-the only
time he ever failed to say e. said Crook
| Colonel Crook also always maintained
that the substitute guard that night he-
came interested IN the play and left hi
post of; duty, and that ifahe himself had
boon present Booth would mover have
entered Tho, theater' box 10 shoot Lincoln
Carried News 40 Jphmsen.
] II was gscionei Crook. who, during th,
A next administration. carried 20 Pfcsiden
Ioiinson TIE first news OF hla acquitta
on Impeachment charges. He served q
Johnsoh's bodysusrd. and on the day thl
I verdict was expected be was on hand
| When he was told tho newn he ran af
the way fhom the capitol 70 the whit.
! House The presidents eyes filled Will
tears. ana he suiped when Colonel Crool
burst IN with the tidineS, later thankin,
him warmly for his trouble.
| Colonel Crook was unusually close Z.
President Grant ana the members Of hi
family. and in 1870 he was appointeS
executive clerk to the president OF tn,
United States Later. IN 1871. Presldan
Grant made him dIsbursing officer OF thl
White House. the position he held durini
the succeeding administrations. II wai
during the Grant hdminiEtration that III
at the White House began to be NOR
ceremonial.
i Colonel Crook told how he drov,
Gulteau, President Garfisid's Assassin
away from the White House on oocas.
ions before he finally succeeded In kill
Ing the president, Gulteau had been 40
customed to go into the reception room
ask after the health OF the president
stay short time and leave. He became
lobnoxious one day. and orders were siveE
TO keep him away. On the morning o.
the assassination the man returned e
ask about the presidents health, and
Crook was worried. when he heard OF
the affair. The president was not tolt
OF his fears. however. and In one OF
his books OF White House memories
Cook tells how he foand Garfield turn.
ing hand springs with his sons thai
morning. rf
Made Squirrel soup for Garfield.
Crook was IN one OF the white Hous'
windows. when Garfield was brought
back after being shot The president wal
conacioua and waved his hand 10 a grouI
of White House employees. Warren 8
Young. another veteran white House EN-
ploye. and friend OF Crook. was with
l0Arfield. when he died. ana gave ths
first announcement TO the world. Will.
the president was stiIl lowering betweeF
life and death. Crook heard that h,
would be helped by some squirrel soup
20 he obtained a special permit. shoI
some squirrels. and supplied the soup.
Colonel Crook saw five Write Hous.
marriages. Hs collected letters and othel
momeutocs Of tbs various presIdsBts un
der whom he served including note.
from all the presidents. who spoke Il
the highest terms Of HE faithfulness and
abilities On the occasion Of his fifti
anniversary OF entering the White Hous'
service. which he celebrated! January
llsi5. he was presented with q beautifu
cane given BY President Wilson and
members OF the White HOUSE STAN >