"Perhaps the most interesting and valuable feature of the volume lies in its portrayal of the minor incidents in the lives of the presidents which have come under the eye of the author as doorkeeper." Atlanta Constitution, April 6, 1902
Was Lincoln bodyguard Thomas F. Pendel at fault in failing to prevent the assassination of Lincoln?
In 1902, White House bodyguard and doorkeeper Thomas F. Pendel (1824-1909) published a book of 36 years' worth of recollections of events in the White House, titled: "Thirty-six Years in the White House."
In explaining how he was assigned to the White House Pendel writes:
"In 1861, or 1862, the Metropolitan Police was established by Congress at the Capital, and I made application for and received an appointment on the force. I made the first arrest, with the assistance of "Buck" Essex. The case was that of a fellow named Grady, one of the English Hill toughs....
"On November 3, 1864, Sergeant John Cronin, Alfonso Dunn, Andrew Smith, and myself were ordered to report at the First Precinct, in the old City Hall, at one o'clock in the afternoon. We supposed we were to be detailed for detective work in New York City on account of the great riot then on there, especially as we were ordered to report in citizens' clothes, to conceal our revolvers, and to be sure to have them all clean and in good order. We arrived at the City Hall, and then were told where we were to go, which was to the President's Mansion, there to report to Marshal Lanham, at that time United States Marshal of the District of Columbia, and a bosom friend of Abraham Lincoln....
"Marshal Lanham took us upstairs and into the President's office, where we were introduced to him and to his two secretaries, Mr. Nicolay and Mr. Hay, the latter now being Secretary of State. We were then instructed to keep a sharp lookout in the different parts of the house, more particularly in the East Room and at the door of the President's office. "
CONTENTS
I — Under President Lincoln
II — Under President Johnson
III — Under President Grant
IV — Under President Hayes
V — Under President Garfield
VI — Under President Arthur
VII — Under President Cleveland
VIII — Under President Harrison
IX — Cleveland's Second Administration
X— Under President McKinley
XI — Furniture in Executive Mansion
