The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-13

COLONEL CROOK, INTIMATE
OF MANY PRESIDENTS, dies
Was Abraham Lincoln's Body Guard
and Since Then White House En-
ploye Close to Twelve Executives
Sick Only Short Time
By Associated Press.


Washington, March 1s.-colonel W.
H. Crook, disbursing officer of the
White House, who was President Lin
coin 3 body guard and who has been
intimately acquainted with every Presi-
dent since 1860, died to-day at his
home here. He had been sick with
pneumonia for more than a week.
Fifty years of service as White
House employe, through the admins
trations OF, twelve Presidents, made Col
onel William II. Crook one Of the most
familiar figures in the national capital,
and in his old age left him rich in per-
sonal "reminiscences of the intimate side
of White House life. The assassina-
tions of Lincoln and Garfield, various
weddings at the White House, and the
impeachment of President johnson,
were among numerous events which Col
onel Crook recalled in memoirs of his
half century of White House service.
Was Lncoln's Body Guard
He was taken from the Washington
police force in 1856 and appointed
President Lincoln Is body guard. Prior
to this he had served in the Union
Army. He accompanied Lincoln on
many of his walks and drives, and it
was his duty to watch over the Presi-
dent during public receptions.
Colonel Crook told often of how, on
the afternoon before Lincoln s assas-
sination, the President had come to him
in confidence and said that on three
successive night he had had dreams
which foretold his murder. Crook there.
upon begged the President not to go ia
the theatre that evening, as planned
Lincoln insisted, and Furthermore would
not hear of Crook accompanying him.
He ordered Crook to 60 home and rest
AS they parted, Lincoln failed to say
fGood Nigth, the only time he ever
failed to say it, said Crook.
Would Have Stopped Assassin
Colonel Crook also always maintain
ed that the substitute guard that night
became interested in the play and left
his post of duty, and that if he him
self had been present, Booth would new
er have entered the theatre-box to
shoot Lincoln.
1t was Colonel Rook, who, during the
next administration, carried to Presi
dent johnson the first news of his ac
quittal on impeachment charges. He
served as Johnson's bodyguard, and or
the day the verdict was expected he was
on hand. When he was told the news
he ran all the way from the Capitol
to the White House. The Presidents
eyes filed with tears, and he gulped
when Colonel Crook burst in with the
tidings, later thanking him warmly fol-
his trouble.
Close to President Grant.
Colonel Crook was unusually close tc
President Grant and the members of his
family, and in 1870 he was appointed
executive clerk to the President of the
United States" Later, in 1877, Presi
dent Grant made him his disbursing of
fcer Of the White House, the position
he held during the succeeding admin
istrations 1t was during the Grant ad
| ministration that, life at the White
House began to be more ceremonial.
Colonel Crook told how he drove
Guiteau, President Garfeld's assassin
| away from the White House on occa
sions before he finally succeeded in kill
| ing the President. Guiteau had been ac
customed to 60 into the reception room
ask after the health of the President
stay short time and leave. He became
obnoxious one day, and orders were
| ing of the assassination the man re
turned to ask about the President.
health, and Crook was worried when hs
heard of the affair. The President wa.
not told of his fears however, and il
one of his books of White House mem
ories Crook tells how he found Gar
field turning hand springs with his son.
that morning
Gives Garfield Squirrel Soup
| Crook was in one of the White House
windows when Garfield was brought
back after being shot. The President
was conscious and waved his hand t.
group of White House employees
Warren s. Young. another veteran
White House employe. and Friend OF
Crook, was with Garfield when he died
and gave the first announcement to tn,
world. While the President was still
lowering between life and death Crool
heard that he would be helped by som.
squirrel soup, so he obtained specia
permit, shot some squirrels, and sup
piled the soup.
Colonel Crook saw five White Hous,
marriages. He collected letters ant
other mementos of the various Presi
dents under whom he served, incmdin.
notes from all the Presidents who spok,
in the highest terms of his faithfulnes
and abilities. On the occasion of hi
50th anniversary of entering the Whit,
House service, which he celebrated il
January, 1915, he was presented with ;
beautiful cane, given by President Viii
son and members of the White Hous
| afaff