The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-07
PERS0NALSIDE !.
OF LINCOLN Is
TOLD BY GUARD
Smith Stimmel of Fargo, Ad-
dresses Members of Bis
marck Rotary Club

Sidelights upon the more personal
phases of Lincoln's life were given
in most interesting manner .,y
Smith Stimmel of Fargo before the
Rotary club today as its regular
weekly luncheon at the Mckenzie
hotel. This morning he delivered an
address on Lincoln to the students
of the Bismarck High School.
Mr.. Stimmel served for two years
on the body guard of the president
and came into intimate contact with
him enabling him to give interesting
personal traits as to dress, manner
isms and home life that cannot cas-
lily be secured from the pages Of
formal biographies.
81 have been asked" said Mr..
,Stimmel, "if Lincoln had his body
guard with him the night of the as
sassination. He did not. Lincoln re-
scented military guards when going
to church for places of public amuse-
ment. 1t was irksome for him to
have his steps logged by the mill
tary and on such occasions he
went accompanied often only by
his coachman. 1t was coachman
who was left at the box door on
that night and he moved from his
post to command better view OF
the stage thus allowing Booth to
slip by and commit the assassina-
ton"
Mr.. Stimmel in simple but force
full narrative style described the
first meeting between President
Lincoln and Gen. Grant at formal
White House reception and how the
general with Mrs. Lincoln at his
side walked into the East room as
the Marine band played Hail to the
Chief"
While on a farm in Ohio, Mr..
Stimmel was given the opportunity
by Gov. Todd to be one of 100
mounted guards which Ohio sent to
Washington to guard the person OF
Lincoln.
He told how Lincoln often left
the White House early in the morn
ing to 60 to the War Department
to ascertain how things were going
at the front. BY the demeaffor of the
President as he returned, Mr.. Slim
mel said he guard knew whether
things were going on we'll or badly
Mr.. Stimmel first saw Lincoln at
Columbus, Ohio, in 1861 on his way
to Washington. He described the
greab reception given him and The
/ conciliatory manner in which Lin
coin spoke about his defeated ad
versary, Stephen Douglas.
1t has been decided in the alb.
sence of Dr.. La Rose in California
to combine the offices of treasurer
sergeant-at-arms and editor of the
Buffalo Horn. Phil Meyers was dec
grated as club pochbah by Chairman
Leonard Bell, all titles being affixed
with due ceremony.
Two birthdays were celebrated
those of Tim Atkinson and l.. K
Thompson. Dale Simon revealed The
past of Mr.. Atkinson and Arthur S
Bolster turned the spot light on l.
X. Thompson.
J. C. Taylor, chairman of the com
mittee, reported progress in arrang
ing skit for the Mardi Gras o.
the Business &>Professional Womer
at the auditorium next week.
S. f. Bergeson and Tim Atkinson
told of their visits to the st. Pau
and the Dickinson Rotary clubs.
Among the visitors were: Senator:
Bond, Baird, Ployhar and Steele; I
J. Moe, Valley City; Fred Sheffield
Fargo; Bill Nimmo, Devils Lake; c
E. Williams of Fargo, newly elected
officials of the Wholesale Bakers
Association.
A. F. Bradley, new secretary o.
the Association of Commerce, wa
introduced to the members. E. ]
Taylor of Bismarck was also guest