Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1884 — PRESIDENTIAL FAVORITES. [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENTIAL FAVORITES.

Some Interesting Facts Concerning the Men Who Stand Closest to the Chief Executive. Vis:tors -who, from curiosity or business, have called at the White House, must have been impressed by the courteous yet systematic manner with which they were received and escorted through the mansion. Ths gentlemen whose duty It is to receive all persons coming to the White Houak are Col. K. S. Densmore, Mr. John T. Rickard and Mr. T. F. Pendel, and they hare occupied their present positions through the various administrations since and even during the war. Mr. Pendel was 'President Lincoln’s bodyguard; saw him to his carriage the fatal night on which he visited Ford s Theater, and he now has in his possession the blood stained coat which Mr. Lincoln wore on that memorable occasion. There is not a public man in America to-day who does not know, and who is not known py these gentlemen, and the reminiscences of public and social life which ‘they can recount would fill a Congressional volume. During the weary yet exciting, years of the war; through the more peaceful times of Grant’s administration; while Hayes held the reins of Government, and when Garfield was shot, it was these men who stood in the Executive Mansion, welcoming the advent of each new administration, bowing at its departure, and receiving both martyrs through its portals. During that long, hot. and never to be forgotten summer when President Garfield lay between “two worlds," the nation became aware of the deadly malarial intluence which hung about the White House, but all through that period these three men never deserted their posts for a Bingle day, although each one was suffering intensely. In conversation with the writer, Col. IJensmbre said: “It is impossible to describe the tortures I have undergone. To be compelled to smile and treat the thousands of visitors who com* here daily witn courtesy when one is in the greatest agony requires a tremendous effort. All that summer I had terrible headaches, heart-burn and a stifling sensation that sometimes took away my breath. My appetite was uncertain and I felt severe painß in the small of-my back. I was under the doctor’s care, with strict instructions not to go out of the house, but I remaind on duty nevertheless. You would be surprised to know the amount of quinine I took; on some days it was as much as sixteen grains;" — ——r “And was Mr. Rickard badly off, too?” “I should think he was. Why, time and again we have picked him up and laid him on the mantel, here in the vestibule, he was so used up.” “Yes,” exclaimed Mr. Rickard, “I was so weak I could not rise after lying down without help, and could only walk with the aid of two canes, and then in a stooping position. Oh, we have been in a pretty bad condition here, all of us.” “And yet you are ail the embodiment of health,” said the writer, as he looked at the three bright and vigorous men before him. _ “Olj, yes, ’’ said Mr. Rickard, “we have not known what’ sickness was for more tnan a year.” “Have you some secret way of overcoming malaria and its attendant horrors?” “ I think wo have a most certain way,” replied Col. Densmore, “but it is no secret. You see, about two years ago my wife began to grow blind, and I was alarmed at her condition. She finally became so she could not tell whether a person were white or black at a distance of ten feet. One of her lady friends advised her to try a certain treatment that had done wonders for her; and. to make a long story short, she did so, and was completely cured. This induced me to try the same means for my own restoration,'and as soon as 1 found it was doing-me good I recommended it to my associates, and wo have all been cured right here in the stronghold of malaria, and kept in perfect health ever since by means of Warner’s Safe Cure. Now, 1 am not a believer in medicines in general, but I do not hesitate to say that lam satisfied I should have died of Bright’s disease of the kidneys before this had it not been for this wonderful remedy. Indeed, I use it as a household medicine, and give it to my children whenever they have any ailments.” “Yes,” exclaimed Mr. Pendel, “I use it in my family all the while and have found it the most efficient remedy we have ever employed. I know of very many public men who are using it to-day and they all speak well of it.” “I weigh 160 pounds to day,” said Mr. Rickard, “and when my physicians told mo over a year ago I could not hope to recover I weighed 122 pounds. Under such influences you cannot wonder that I consider this the best medicine before the American people.” The above statements from these gentlemen need no comments, They are voluntary and outspoken expressions from sources which ai;e the highest in the land. Were there the slightest question regarding their authenticity they would not be made public, but as they furnish such valuable truths for all who are suffering, we unhesitatingly,publish them lor the good of all. - ■ The man who “found his level” was a carpenter, es course. —Boston (Commercial Bulletin.