Evening star., 1944-08-04

ing experts check "crackpot" and
threatening letters, traced a letter
writer who had threatened Mr.. Will
son in 1915.
Col. Startling had the suspect Gov
cred" during train ride to Wash
ington from the West. He picked
up the man on arrival and took
him to a police station, desiring
not to create a commotion at the
depot by searching him there. The
man was questioned and found 10
be armed. He was convicted and
sentenced to IS to 20 years.
Another incident that never be-
came general knowledge occurred
during the Harding administration
Speaker Gillett and Red Cross
Chairman John Barton Payne re-
ceived information that a wide
spread plot was afoot to kill Mr.
Harding and that the assassination
was to take place at Pinehurst
N. c.
They turned the information over
to the Bureau of Investigation OF
the Justice Department. then head
ed by William j. Burns.
Col. Startling questioned that
claiming the Secret Service had ju-
riSdiction. He was given the case
Having seen photographs of the man
in question riding ferry between
Philadelphia and Camden, Col. Star
ling kept him under surveillance Tor
two months. Finally he satisfied
himself there was no plot. The
man was mentally unbalanced and
was confined for observation.
Visited Europe With Wilson.
Col. Startling and his staff GEN.
tered most of their efforts on tips
letter writer's. and unlisted callers
at the White House.
Col Startling was an involuntary
participant in domestic and world
politics.
On one of two trips to Europe
with President Wilson after the
World War he witnessed tremen-
dous ovations for the American war
President during the latter's tour OF
Rome, Turin and Milan, Italy.
But he would have advised against
the trip had it been proposed several
weeks later. For Mr.. Wilson mean
while had taken a firm stand at
the peace conference against grant
ing Italy's demands for the Adri-
attic port Of Fiume and Italian pop
ular sentiment against him had
reached fever pitch.
President Coolidge sent Col. Star
ling to the Senate in 1925 to assist
in a poll to ascertain the chances
OF confirming Charles B. Warren of
Michigan for Attorney General
Friends say Col. Startling reported
back the chances were not good
Mr.. Warren was nominated twice
and beaten both times, the first
time by that famous 40 to 40 tie
which Vice President Dawes could
nave broken had he been present
Caught "Cap in Franks.
On one occasion, Col. Starting
caught Silent Cal" Coolidge in the
act of committing some boyish
pranks around the White House.
Mr.. Coolidge liked to ring buzzers
calling the Secret Service guard
tnen hide behind draperies and see
what happened.
Born October S, 1875, at Hopkins
vile, Ky, Col. Startling finished high
scnool and at II was appointed
deputy sheriff of Christian County
The county Judge wouldn't
swear me because of nv apen Col
starring said in later years, so nv
friends made up a personal bond
and took Office anyway"
Six years of that toughened him
for the Army. He served a wear In
this country during the Spanish
American War keeping order in diff
ferent cities having camp guard
mounts and locating barracks for
the provost guard.
Special Rail Agent.
After three more years as deputy
sheriff he became special agent for
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad
working out of Birmingham, Ala.
He guarded property, settled claims
and investigated losses. Eight years
later he took a similar job with
the Southern Express Co., pretect-
ing money shipments and appre-
hending robbers and yeggs. He also
served a year in a similar capacity
for the Missouri Pacific.
He joined the Secret Service on
November IA, 1914, and became head
OF the White House detail in the
early part Of the first Roosevelt
administration.
At the age Of 63 during target
practice with his men at Camp Sims
he scored so hits in II seronde ,n,,tl