[image caption: Chester A. Arthur]

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After the death of Garfield, when Mr. Arthur became President of the United States, he didn't move into the White House right away, but occupied the granite building which belonged to Benjamin F. Butler, on the south side of the Capitol. He transacted all his business there, and it was his home for a certain length of time, until the White House could be put in order.

One morning a man came to the White House before, the President had moved into it and said to me, "I would like to see the President." I replied, "The President is not here. He is in the Butler house, on the south side of the Capitol, but I do not believe that you will be able to see him." The man seemed to be perfectly rational, and talked in a sensible manner. About two weeks after the same man made his appearance at the White House again, and took a seat in the main vestibule.

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My fellow-usher, Mr. Allen, went up to him, and asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted to see the President, and took a note out of his side- pocket and handed it to Mr. Allen. Mr. Allen read the note and brought it over to me, where I was standing at the foot of the main stairway. He said after he had read the note, "Tom, that man is crazy." I said, "We had better try and keep him here until Sergeant Dinsmore comes." After awhile Sergeant Dinsmore came in, and we stated the case to him. He went over to the man and said, "Come with me and I will get you to see the President." The man evidently mistrusted something, and made a bolt for the front door. Dinsmore grabbed him by the collar, and as he did so, the man's hand went down into his hip-pocket. With that I rushed up, and we clinched the man, and we downed him right inside of the door. While Mr. Dinsmore held his head down, Allen went for his hip-pocket and drew out a revolver, a six-shooter, with every barrel loaded. I took possession of that, and Dinsmore lifted him upon his feet. He was a muscular man, and a very ugly customer to handle. After they got down to police headquarters, inquiry was

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made as to what part of the country he came from. He was a prominent physician from the State of Pennsylvania, and he was sent to his home by the Police Department, and that was the last we ever saw of him.

One day, before the President had moved up to the White House, he came with Mrs. Judge Davis to see what was necessary to be done before he moved in. Mrs. Judge Davis looked through the glass of the door, and called me from the inner corridor. She said to me, as we were standing in front of the Blue Parlor, the President standing by, "How long has it been since this hall was decorated?" I said, "Not since Andrew Johnson was President." That settled the question. A few days after that the President had an interview with Colonel Rockwell, Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds, and said to him, "Colonel Rockwell, I want thus and so done, and thus and so done." The Colonel said, "Mr. President, there is no money to do it with." The President said, "You go ahead and do the work. I will not live in a house looking this way. If Congress does not make an appropriation, I will go ahead and have it done, and pay for it out of my own pocket.

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I will not live in a house like this." Everything was done in accordance with his wish, and Congress made the appropriation to pay for it.

After everything had been put in proper order the President moved in. Mrs. McElroy, the President's sister, did the honors of the White House. Her drawing-room receptions were very fine. Mr. MacMichaels, of Philadelphia, was the Marshal of the District at the time. He generally made the presentations to Mrs. McElroy. They would usually have three relays of young ladies. One relay would take part in receiving for a certain length of time, then another relay would take their places, and they would form the background, back of the line. Mrs. McElroy was a very pleasant lady, and did the honors of the White House splendidly.

A sad event occurred in the beginning of Arthur's administration. Mr. Allen, dean of the Diplomatic Corps from the Hawaiian Islands, was in the Blue Parlor, close by where I was standing on duty. The diplomats had all been received, and the Judges of the Supreme Court had also been received. The diplomats and their ladies had left in order to hold their

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own receptions. I noticed that Mr. Allen pulled out his gold watch, which was a very handsome one, to see what time it was, then left the Blue Parlor to get his wraps at the little room, on the right-hand side of the vestibule, at the main door. Jerry Smith was about to hand him his wraps. He stood at the end of the sofa, and was trembling violently, and in five minutes he fell dead. Word was conveyed to the President, and the whole reception was stopped immediately. He was put into a carriage and carried to his home. There was a gloom cast over the White House for that entire day, for it was the first New Year's reception that was held after the death of poor Garfield. The dinner parties and receptions held during Arthur's administration were very fine. The President was very gentlemanly in his manner. I recollect that upon one occasion as I was going into the Green Room with some ladies, showing them through, I unexpectedly met the President coming from the Blue Parlor with some ladies, and in an instant he said to the ladies and myself, "I beg pardon." The President with his ladies passed on into the Green Room, and

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I passed into the Blue Parlor with the ladies I was showing through.

One Saturday night the President gave a dinner party. Quite a number of his acquaintances came down from New York City, and each one of the gentlemen brought a little oyster fork frown New York with him, and they used these forks in eating their oysters that night. I think they were then presented to the President as souvenirs.

The President was accustomed to retire very late, and sometimes the day would be pretty well advanced before he would get his breakfast. He gave a great many swell dinner parties, and the guests used to enjoy themselves hugely. He generally attended the church fight across from the White House, St. John's Episcopal Church. Often in good weather he would walk over and walk back; if it were disagreeable, he would have the carriage ordered and go over in that. He was a thorough society President. Sometimes his friends would come from New York City and he would take great pleasure in showing them around. On one occasion Mrs. William Astor, of New York, with some friends, called

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on the President, and were escorted through the house by himself, an honor which pleased them greatly.

One of his personal friends was Mr. Tiffany, the New York jeweler, who would come and stay a week with him as one of his guests.

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At the close of Arthur's administration, on the evening of the third of March, the President-elect, Mr. Cleveland, came over to the White House, and the President showed him all through and explained it to him. The next day, the fourth of March, after Cleveland had taken his seat, ex-President Arthur had a fine lunch prepared for the President and Vice-President, Mr. Hendricks, and I think a portion of his intended Cabinet. There were a great number of people calling who wanted to see the President--office hunters; the woods were full of them. A great many were permitted to go upstairs, with smiles on their faces. Quite a number of them would reappear with long-faces, and filled with disappointment. There seemed to be no end to the office-sekers. A great many of them became tired out and went home, thoroughly discouraged. Miss Rose Cleveland, the President's

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sister, did the honors of the White House up to the time of his marriage, and probably remained there for a time afterwards. I must say tight here that I shall never forget Miss Rose Cleveland's kindness to my dying daughter. After she learned that she was sick, she gave orders to, have a box of beautiful cut flowers sent to her each Saturday, up to a few days before she died. I remember the morning Miss Cleveland ordered the carriage to go to the depot to meet the intended bride, Miss Frances Folsom. It was quite early in the morning when she started down, found the train on time, and without any delay brought the intended bride to the Executive Mansion. I received a very pleasant smile and a bow from the intended bride as I opened the White House door. The house was put in order that day for the wedding in the evening. Just before the wedding, Miss Cleveland came into the Blue Room and requested me to light the candles in the two large candlesticks at each side of the mantel. They were married in the Blue Parlor, right in front of the divan, facing north. I had the pleasure of heating all the ceremony, as I stood just in the doorway between the Blue

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and Red Parlors. The Reverend Dr. Sunderland, of the First Presbyterian Church, performed the wedding ceremony. They then went upstairs, donned their traveling suits, passed down the grand stairway, and out of the Blue Parlor door, into the south portico. As they passed out rice and slippers were thrown after them. They spent their honeymoon at Oakland, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, above Cumberland. After their return the President settled down to business, and Mrs. Cleveland did the honors of the White House. Her drawing-room receptions were very popular, and she was a great favorite with all the ladies that called. After she had been married about eighteen months, one morning quite early she came down to take her carriage to meet some invited guests at the train. Before she passed out I said to her, "Mrs. Cleveland, I have never had the pleasure of shaking hands with you since you have been in the White House." She said, "Is that so?" and in an instant her hand was up and gave mine a hearty shake. Sometimes Mrs. Cleveland would have a gathering of perhaps fifty or sixty friends, and have a musicale; sometimes in the Blue Parlor and sometimes

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in the Green Parlor. She was a very charming lady, and did the honors of the White House admirably. At the close of their first term I had the pleasure of seeing her down into her carriage, holding an umbrella over her, for the rain was pouring down, and bidding her good-bye. I was sorry to see her go. Before she left the White House, she made me a present of her photograph, with her autograph attached to it. I have that at my home to-day.

[image caption: Bing Harrison]

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When President Harrison's administration began the office-seekers crowded in as usual. There were numerous plums to be picked, and the longest pole knocked the plums. A great many came away disappointed, with long faces. Others went away happy, for they had gained the prizes. The routine of drawing-room receptions and soirées went right along during the administration, and everything passed off very pleasantly indeed. During their administration Mrs. Harrison became quite an artist. She took lessons in painting. She would go out into the conservatory, and spend a great deal of time in painting orchids on china. She became quite proficient, and did some beautiful work. During the Harrison administration Mrs. McKee gave a ball in the East Room for the young ladies and gentlemen of her acquaintance. The room was decorated very nicely, and it was a swell affair.

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Everything passed off charmingly, and everybody, when the ball was over, seemed to be happy. That was the second and last ball that was ever given in the White House.

"Baby McKee" seemed to be one of the principal personages in the White House. On one occasion there was a grand musicale given in the East Room by the "Bell Ringers." They made beautiful music. The family all assembled and listened very attentively. "Baby McKee" was with the President, and he made up his mind he was too far away from the music, so he broke away from the President and started over nearer to where the music was, although the President tried hard to keep him back. Evidently young "Baby McKee" was boss, for it was illustrated on that particular occasion.

There were dinner parties and receptions, such as are customary at the White House, and going out dining, and so on. In the latter part of the administration Mrs. Harrison was taken quite sick. She was taken out of this city, and up into the mountains of New York State, but in the month of September they brought her home again, and she had wasted away very much. It was during this period

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that the Grand Army of the Republic assembled in this city for its annual anniversary. The President had given orders to let them pass all through the Parlors. They kept coming all day until midnight, and this continued until everybody had seen all through the House.

It was during this administration that Secretary Tracy's wife and daughter and the daughter's maid were burned to death. Mrs. Tracy jumped out of the third-story window to escape the fire, and was killed. Two minutes later they rescued Secretary Tracy. If they hadn't come upon the scene just when they did, he would have been dead, as he was unconscious when rescued. Their home was burned to ruins. The President gave orders to have Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy brought over to the White House, and their remains laid in state in the East Room, under the centre chandelier. The arrangements were made for the funeral to take place from the East Room and, in the meantime, the President had had the Secretary brought over to the Mansion. He had returned to consciousness, and he was given the best of medical attention by the skilled physicians of the Navy. Poor

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Mr. Tracy came down to the funeral service. It was an exceedingly sad sight. When everything was ready to remove the remains from the White House, he was so completely crushed and overcome that the President had to take his arm and have him taken up to bed. During the Harrison administration Dr. Scott, the father of Mrs. Harrison, died in the White House, in the ninety-third year of his age. Mrs. Harrison continued sick; some days she would rally and feel a little better, but finally she grew worse again. About three o'clock in the morning, on one occasion while she was ill, she was suffering a great deal of pain in her side. Most of the servants had gone home, and all the rest of the help about the house was asleep, with the exception of her dressing-maid; she came to the head of the stairs and called for me and my partner to make a fire in the range as soon as we possibly could. We hurried back and cleaned out the range in the pantry and soon had a rousing fire going. In the meantime the maid had hurried down with flaxseed. We put it into the saucepan and soon had it boiling, and she hurried upstairs with a flaxseed poultice and applied it to Mrs. Harrison's

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side, which gave her a good deal of relief. She lingered along for some time, and finally died in the Garfield Room, which is in the southwest corner of the White House. Her remains were brought down into the East Room, and laid under the centre chandelier.

William S. Parker was detailed at the Executive Mansion December 27, 1892, in the Harrison administration.

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The fourth of March on which Mr. Cleveland took the oath of office for the second time was one of the most blustering days imaginable. It was very cold and bleak. The first thing I did that night when I came on duty was to take a prescription out for one of the President's children, who was somewhat indisposed. Four years previous to that I had escorted Mrs. Cleveland to her carriage. It was pouring rain, and I had the pleasure of shaking hands with her and bidding her good-bye. Now I stood at the Blue Parlor door and let her in--the same door out of which she had gone four years before--and had a kindly handshake with her. She looked charming, and seemed to be perfectly happy.

The routine business went on as usual in the White House: dinner parties, receptions and so on. She made everybody who came there go away happy. She had a kindly way of

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making people feel at home. One morning Mrs. Cleveland had started to New York. That night after I had gone on duty, a little after midnight, the President rang his bell. I went upstairs into the library. I was on duty by myself, as my partner was taking his leave of absence. He said, "Pendel, here is a telegram I want you to take down to the Western Union, and have it sent to New York." He gave me the money to pay for it. I said, "Mr. President, I am by myself; how will I manage this?" I spoke up and said that perhaps Miss Lene, Mrs. Cleveland's dressing maid, would go down and tend to the door while I took the telegram. So the President said, "All right." When I got downstairs, I put the night latch on the door so that no one could get in during my absence unless she let them in. I returned and delivered the message to the President, gave him the change I had left after paying for the telegram, and returned to my duties.

One morning during his administration I was making the rounds before day, and when I came upstairs, there was a lady sitting on the sofa near the foot of the main stairway. She seemed to be almost out of breath. Mr.

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Lewis, my partner, said to me, "I am going up to get a glass of water for this lady; be careful, keep your eye on her. She is crazy." He brought the glass of water. She drank it and thanked him very kindly. He went over to the other part of the hall and I got into conversation with her. After I had conversed a little while with her, she got out her pocketbook, took out a five dollar note and a two dollar note, and handing them to me said, "You take that and go and buy yourself some tobacco." I handed the money back to her, and kindly thanked her, and told her that I did not chew tobacco. She wore a sealskin sack, which evidently was very valuable. A beautiful cross was suspended from her neck, set with costly pearls. She seemed to be a devoted Catholic. Every now and then she would take the cross and kiss it. While in conversation with her I found out that she came from Boston. She gave me her address, No. 24 Upton Street, Boston. She gave me somewhat of the history of her life. She had married a wealthy Spaniard, but her husband was dead, and her little son was dead. She had a delusion that her husband's two brothers were seeking to take her life in order

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to get the property away from her. It began to get along then towards five o'clock, and Mr. Lewis thought it was about time to get her out of the house, and back to the hotel where she was stopping. She told him she was stopping at the Arlington. The hotel clerk told Mr. Lewis that she rushed downstairs and out of the hotel very rapidly. The night clerk sent one of the colored servants after her, and she disappeared so rapidly that the negro thought it was a ghost and came back to the hotel without her. About two weeks afterwards I was on duty at the front door, and my partner was making the rounds when the bell rang very violently, away before daybreak. I opened the door and she sprang in with an open letter in her hand, and said, "I must see the President right away." I told her it was entirely too early for the President to see her, that she would have to come later on. She was nearly out of breath when she got inside the door. After I let her in, she asked me if she couldn't sit down, so I directed her to the same sofa on which she had sat two weeks before. She asked me if she couldn't lie down a little while. She did so and fell off into a little doze for about fifteen minutes.

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She seemed to be perfectly sane upon all other subjects, except that of her husband and his brothers. She was evidently a lady of refinement, and had plenty of means, for she had just previous to that received a remittance from Boston of fifteen hundred louis. Mr. Lewis said to me, "Now, Tom, I guess you had better try and get her over to the hotel." She took my arm, after we got outside of the House, and we conversed on different subjects until we crossed the avenue, when I said to her, "Where are you stopping now?" By that time we had got across to Riggs' Bank, and she said she had been stopping at Welcker's, a first-class hotel. I said, "We will go there." She said, "No, I won't. Those negroes have been walking up the hallways there with big bulldog revolvers." I had my foot into it then. I thought the thing over, and thought of the Riggs House. I said to her, "Will you go to the Riggs House?" She said she would, so we proceeded to the Riggs House, stepped up to the night clerk and she gave orders for a single room very correctly. He called a servant to show her up to her room; she turned to me, shook hands with me and bid me good- night, and thanked me very kindly.

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After she had got out of hearing, I said to the night clerk, "She is crazy, and you will have to be very careful about her." He thanked me very kindly, I took my departure, and that was the last time I ever saw her, or heard of her.

Mrs. Cleveland was very popular during this administration. She held a great many receptions and they were immense affairs. After these receptions were over she would generally invite from fifty to one hundred people up in the grand corridor for tea. Some nights when she would come in from a dinner party I would be taking her up in the elevator, and she would remark to her lady friend, "I know it is twelve o'clock, for Mr. Pendel is on duty." They used to have quite a number of friends to come and spend a week. In carrying cards and notes into her dressing room, I always found it exceedingly pleasant. I recollect that on one occasion the President was called away suddenly to New York, shortly after their marriage, and left word that when I came on duty I should stay on my entire watch, and be close to Mrs. Cleveland's door. I did so, faithfully. She was very fond of canary birds and mocking birds. As I was

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making my rounds on one occasion near her room, her canary was near the window sill. A great rat had forced his way into the cage, had just killed the poor little canary and was going to have a feast on him, when I arrived in time to make for him. He burst through the door and made his escape, and Mrs. Cleveland was very sorry for it. I took the mocking bird downstairs where I could have my eye on him for fear the rat might return again. Afterwards Mrs. Cleveland had her pet canary stuffed and put in her room.

Often they would give musicales in the Blue Parlor of the White House. These were very pleasant, and there would generally be from thirty to forty guests to enjoy the music. On one occasion, in conversation with one of her friends, Mrs. Cleveland remarked, "Oh, Mr. Pendel is one of the pillars of the White House."

President Cleveland was a very plain, matter-of-fact man. On one occasion when I came on duty at midnight, he was in the back end of the upper corridor, trying to find a lamp, I said, "Mr. President, is there anything I can do for you?" And he said, "Yes, I am trying to find a lamp." We both went back into the

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library, and I arranged it for him on his desk, and he went on writing. He was a very hard worker--the hardest working President I ever saw in my life. I used to sit opposite the library door, so that I would be convenient to him whenever he wanted me, and always attended to his wants. It was sometimes three o'clock in the morning when he would retire. Between one and two o'clock one night he called me into his library and said, "Pendel, I wish you would take that mocking bird down. It annoys me." After I had removed him, the mocking bird got mad and would not sing a bit more. The President said to me, "Pendel, where did you put him?" "On Mr. Loeffler's desk," I said. He said, "You don't think he will catch cold there, do you?" I said, "Mr. President, I don't think he will, but, however, I will move him." I brought him into the inner corridor, and put him behind the screen where he was thoroughly protected. After the President had finished his work in the library, I said, "Mr. President, I have put him behind here, where he will not catch cold." He then said, "Oh, that is all right, Mr. Pendel."

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It was during the first part of Mr. Cleveland's second administration that the Princess Eulalie, of Spain, and her husband visited this country; she was Spain's representative at the World's Fair. Upon arriving in this country she was chaperoned by one of our naval officers, Captain Davis. When she arrived at Washington she was met at the depot by the Secretary to the President, Mr. Henry T. Thurber, with the President's carriage, drawn by four horses, and escorted by a troop of cavalry from Fort Myer. It was Troop B, of the Fourth, the late General Lawton's troop.

The Princess was driven to the Arlington Hotel, where she remained while in the city. Soon after her arrival at the Arlington the Princess called at the Executive Mansion and paid her respects to the President and Mrs. Cleveland, who, later in the day, returned the Princess' visit.

The President gave a dinner in honor of the Princess, May 26, 1893. Upon the arrival of the guests, they were escorted to the library to lay aside their wraps, and then to the East Room to meet the President and Mrs. Cleveland. The Princess arrived a little late. Through the thoughtfulness of Mr. R. C.

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Mitchell, one of the ushers, the Princess' wrap was taken in charge by him at the entrance to the Red Room, which saved her the trouble of going to the library. To the surprise of everybody the Princess walked directly into the East Room as if that were part of the programme. Some of the officials were awaiting her arrival on the second floor, from whence she was to be escorted to the East Room and presented to the President. These officials were very much surprised and chagrined when they learned that the Princess had gone to the East Room, unaccompanied except by her husband, and presented herself to the President and Mrs. Cleveland. The President noticed the Princess coming into the East Room, and, grasping the situation at a glance, very gracefully walked toward the Princess and received her with extended hand and a very gracious smile. Dinner was then served.

During the excitement caused by General Jacob S. Coxey, from Massillon, Ohio, with his so-called army, which camped at Brightwood Park, from April 26 to May 1, 1894, the guard at the White House was increased from twelve to twenty-six men, the Secretary to the President, Mr. Henry T. Thurber, having

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thought it advisable. It was then that I became acquainted with Mr. James Ciscle, one of the first of the reinforcements sent to the White House. After Coxey had abandoned his army, Mr. Thurber thought it advisable to still keep the full force owing to the unsettled condition of the times. Then came the Chicago railroad strike, and the calling out of Government troops, and the explosion of the caisson, killing forty-five men and wounding as many more. Lieutenant-General Schofield was then commanding the United States Army. President Cleveland, Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont, Attorney-General Olney and General Schofield had consultations that lasted until long after midnight. The vestibule and corridors were thronged with newspaper men watching for the coming of some of the Cabinet. Sometimes they would wait for hours and then the Cabinet would have no news to give out. Meanwhile they would amuse themselves by telling funny stories and studying how they could get the news they wanted.

[image caption: William McKinley]

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On the 3d of March the President-elect received an invitation from President Cleveland to dine with him, which he accepted. Owing to Mrs. McKinley's fatigue, due to much traveling, she did not attend the dinner. On March 4 the President-elect came to the White House and with President Cleveland rode to the Capitol in the same carriage, where he was inaugurated, and then returned to the White House. After the return there was a grand luncheon served and then the President reviewed the great procession. From that time and up until late in the night the social calling was immense. The next day was the same way. I was so busy that I could hardly manage all the people, showing them over the house, the private parlors and the bed chambers above.

After the return, from the inauguration I met Mrs. McKinley, whom I had not seen for

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twenty years, in the Blue Parlor. She seemed to be very glad to see me and shook hands with me heartily.

For about ten days there was a continuous reception by the President of delegations, military companies, Governors of States with their staffs and their ladies, whom I showed all over the White House. More particularly I remember the Governor of Ohio. Sandwiched in between these delegations and military companies were prominent men of all nations. The White House at this time was the scene of many brilliant affairs.

From about the middle of March Mrs. McKinley would take daily drives, and always had to be assisted in going out or coming in. If the President was not with her, one of the ushers assisted her, bringing her down in the elevator. Often it would fall to my lot to assist her to her carriage.

Everything went on nicely and smoothly until just before Christmas of that year, when the President's mother was taken very ill. The family all went to Canton. The President and his wife watched by the bedside of his mother until she passed away. Of course this produced sadness in the White House, and all

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the receptions and dinner parties intended for that season were abandoned. For a long time afterward there was great grief and sorrow at the White House.

Following this sad bereavement and after the first shock had passed away, the season that followed was a very gay one, with dinner parties and levees up until the last public reception that was to have been given. Preparations were made and the House was being put in order to have the last public reception of that season, when on the morning of the 15th of February we received the terrible news of the blowing up of the "Maine" in the harbor of Havana. Two hundred and fifty-four of our brave sailors and marines, with two officers, were launched into eternity. It cast a gloom over our entire nation, and particularly the White House. The President immediately gave orders to discontinue the decorating, and that there should be no levee that night. Two months after war was declared against Spain. The order was given to raise many thousand troops, and from that time on for some months the tramp of regiments was heard and great numbers of soldiers were seen passing through the city of

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Washington. There was great activity at the White House in the executive department, seeing military men and those applying for active positions in the Army and Navy. These were very stirring times. About this time Mr. Roosevelt came to the White House. He had just been appointed a colonel in the Rough Riders, and was accompanied by Col. John Jacob Astor, to whom he introduced me. I got both their autographs on that day, little thinking then that Mr. Roosevelt would be the next President of the United States.

The following season, while the war was going on, and things had settled down to a military routine the receptions were again taken up, and there were dinner parties, social gatherings and public receptions, and during that period, I think, there were two dancing parties given in the state dining-room, something that I had never seen given in that room before. Late that season the President took a trip to Lake Champlain with Mrs. McKinley, and it seemed to be very beneficial to both of them. They were gone about a month.

At the beginning of the next season a New Year's reception was held. After that the President was taken sick with the grip, and

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consequently all the receptions and dinner parties were over for that season. During this season the Postal Congress of the World met in Washington, and the President gave them a reception, which was well attended, notable people of all nations having gathered in the city. Just in the midst of it Mr. Preston, one of the representatives from the Hawaiian Islands to the Postal Congress, fell in the Green Parlor, dangerously ill. Mr. Ciscle sent for General Wood, who was then a surgeon in the Army, and with his assistance Mr. Preston revived enough to be taken to his hotel, where he died ten days afterwards.

An incident which came under my notice very lately is timely to mention here: Mr. Dawes, the Comptroller of the Currency, visited the White House with the Adjutant-General of the State of Illinois. After these gentlemen had gone upstairs, he said, as they came down to leave the house, "Mr. Pendel, come over, please, and we will take a seat in the East Room, for I want you to talk some to us." I sat down and had quite a chat with them, detailing much of my experience in the White House, and they both became very much interested in what I had to say. When

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I arose to leave, the Adjutant-General said to me, "Have you a picture of yourself that you could let me have, and a written statement about the facts you have been telling us just now?" I told him that I had both things he wanted, and would hand them to Mr. Dawes, who could forward them to Illinois. He said to me before he left, "Your picture and this written statement shall have a prominent place in the Memorial Hall in the Lincoln Monument. They shall certainly be framed and placed there."

About this time some of the troops began to return. One of the first battalions that arrived was a battalion of marines, about five or six hundred strong. The President gave particular orders that when they returned to Washington he would be happy to have them pass in review at the White House. I recall that it was a very rainy afternoon when they arrived and there was a great multitude of people to see them as they passed in review through the portico, where the President and his Cabinet reviewed them, and they shared together the heartiest congratulations and cheers of the people.

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Then came the campaign for McKinley's reelection. There was a great deal of excitement among the politicians, both parties being sanguine that their candidate would be elected. But President McKinley was reelected by an overwhelming majority.

During Mr. McKinley's first administration John Addison Porter, his private secretary, passed away. Also the Vice-President, Garrett A. Hobart, who was a fine man and an elegant gentleman. I remember presenting him with one of my autographs, for which he thanked me very kindly. Of course, the death of our Vice-President brought sadness to the Administration, for he was a man very much beloved.

The day of his second inauguration was a very wet, dismal one. Nevertheless, there was a great multitude of people in the city to view the procession, which was a most remarkable one. After the procession a grand luncheon was given. There were present Mr. and Mrs. Abner McKinley, Miss Helen Gould, Mrs. Sartoris, Mrs. Gen. Fred Grant, and quite a number of the notable people of our nation. The procession lasted until almost dark, but the President stayed faithfully

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in the reviewing stand until they had all passed. After the procession he received people until about 9 o'clock, when with the guests of the house, he and Mrs. Mc Kinley attended the Inaugural Ball, which was a grand affair given in the Pension Office. The following day a great many persons called. Military companies, Governors of States, clubs and bands of music were admit ted into the East Room as they marched up in lines, the music enlivening everything about the White House. The President and Mrs. McKinley seemed to be perfectly happy and pleased to see the great multitudes that were calling on them. The President always took great delight in shaking hands with the people. He told one of the officials at the White House that he took more delight in shaking hands with the people than he did at one of the state dinners. It seemed to be a great gratification to him to meet the masses of the people.

Mrs. McKinley was remarkably fond of little children. Sometimes on going out to take her drive and little children being near,she would throw them a kiss if they were not near enough to the carriage for her to kiss

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them. The President was very kind and gentle to her at all times. Often I would go in with cards after she had recovered from spells of sickness after dinner. They would be sitting in the grand corridor near the entrance to the dining-room. She would have her knitting, which she was very fond of, and the President would be reading his paper or looking over some documents that required his attention. He seemed to do everything in his power to please her. They were a very happy man and wife.

On Saturday evenings during his administration there would often be gatherings of a few friends in the Blue Parlor after dinner, and hymn books would be brought out and then all would join in singing hymns, accompanied by the piano. Frequently when the President returned from church on the Sabbath he would hum the tune of a hymn as I was taking him up in the elevator. On one occasion there was a lady guest at the White House who accompanied the President to church. When they returned, on seeing me, he said to her, "This man has been here about thirty-five years." There were two busts near the Red Parlor and he asked whose busts they

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were. I answered, "Mr. President, one of them is John Bright, the English statesman,and the other is John Jay, Chief Justice of the United States. The President was very fond of music and singing, as was also Mrs. McKinley. Her taste was beautiful in the way of decorative work.

Last season the social functions were discontinued at the White House on account of the illness of Mrs. McKinley, who was so feeble that we used to have a rolling chair for her, in which we took her up and down stairs bodily. Finally she rallied enough and improved so nicely that they made a trip to Canton and then they took the long trip to California. While she was there she was at the very point of death. I never expected to see her return alive to the White House. The San Francisco trip was looked forward to with a great deal of pleasure. All arrangements for the trip went on harmoniously and nicely. Trains were fitted up and those connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad took the greatest care in endeavoring to make everything as happy as they possibly could for Mr. and Mrs. McKinley. Mr. Stone, who is now an usher at the White House, but formerly

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a conductor of the Pullman Palace Car Company, accompanied them on this trip. Before they arrived at San Francisco, Mrs. McKinley began to show signs of failing health. By the time San Francisco was reached, she was desperately ill, and the very best medical skill was obtained for her. But she recovered, and was enabled to take the homeward trip, which was a perfect miracle, considering the fact that her life seemed to just hang on a thread while there. They returned to the White House, where she was still under the care of physicians. Finally she was able to take her carriage drives again.

On the 5th of July last they started for Canton to spend probably most of the summer there. They then went to Buffalo to visit the Exposition which was being held there.

On the 6th of September, about twenty-five minutes past four in the afternoon, Jerry Smith, one of the servants at the White House, came to the foot of the stairs and called up to me, "The President is shot!" He had been cleaning in the telegraph room and had heard the awful news. Scarcely believing my ears, I called out, "What, Jerry?" He said again, "The President has been shot!" I

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did not think it could be so, supposing it was some wild rumor that had gotten out. I asked Mr. Gilbert, one of the specially appointed policemen on duty at the White House, to try and find out if the news was true, but they were so busy in the telegraph room that we could not hear anything. Mr. Gilbert was skeptical, as well as myself, as to whether the report was true. About twenty minutes after this a newspaper man came hurrying to the White House with the news. Then there was a sad gloom all over the house. Men were coming to and fro, asking questions continually. We continued to receive word from Buffalo of the President's condition, and were very much encouraged from the favorable tone of most of them. On the 12th of September we were particularly glad, as on that morning he partook of a cup of coffee, a piece of toast and a soft-boiled egg, and we all thought that in about two weeks he would be able to return to the White House. On that night there was a turn for the worse. His physicians were called in and worked hard over him, but with the sad result that we all know so well. On Friday he grew worse and worse. I remained at the White House that

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night until ten o'clock. The news continued to come in worse and gloom and sadness fell over the whole city and over the nation. Saturday morning, the 14th of September, at twenty-five minutes after two o'clock, he passed away. And there was sorrow and weeping all over our land. My little home was among the very first to be draped in mourning.

He laid in state Sunday and part of Monday at Buffalo. Tuesday night the remains were brought to Washington. Mrs. McKinley, with Dr. Rixey and Mr. Abner McKinley,came to the White House probably half an hour before the remains arrived. It was a very sad sight. Previous to his remains being brought in the undertaker came and was making arrangements for the casket to be laid under the centre chandelier in the East Room. He was just arranging so as to have his head lay to the south and his feet to the north. Seeing this, I told him that President Lincoln's remains laid with the head to the north and his feet to the south. The undertaker immediately changed the position so that he laid as Mr. Lincoln did. After the remains had been brought in and the two soldiers

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and two marines had taken their position at the head and foot of the casket, Mrs. McKinley came in on the arm of Dr. Rixey to take a long look at her dear husband. It was very sad. Again in the morning she took her final farewell of the remains before they were removed to the Capitol. I have at my home,pressed and carefully preserved, one of the leaves from the many flowers which kept arriving all the time.

President McKinley was a remarkable man; he was genial, a natural magnet. He drew the masses of the people to him. Always had a kind word, greeting with the extension of his hand every one that called on him, and endeavored to make them feel happy and at home.

As the funeral train passed through the towns on its way to Washington and Canton,great crowds met and sang in concert his favorite hymn, "Lead, Kindly Light," and the hymn containing his last words, "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

After the funeral at Canton, President Roosevelt returned to Washington and took up his residence at his sister's, Mrs. Cowles, on N Street. In a few days he came to the

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White House to reside, and shortly after his family arrived from Oyster Bay.

Then the people began to recover from the sad events that had transpired and began to call on President Roosevelt. He has been a very busy man ever since he entered upon his duties. I would term him a great President and his wife a great lady, perfectly plain, matter-of-fact persons. Both he and she always have a kind salutation for those who are connected with the White House, from the very humblest to those holding high position. There has hardly been a day since he has settled down at the White House but that he has had some friends to luncheon with him,and quite a number of private dinners. He seems to be very popular. I am satisfied that he is going to make us a splendid President.

In conclusion, I must say that I hope I shall never live to see again what I have seen during the last thirty-seven years in the White House, as I have been on duty there when the three great tragedies of our country were enacted. There is no other man in the nation to-day who can say this. There is no living soul connected with the White House outside

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of myself who was there on the first day I entered on duty, the 3d of November, 1864, when the great rebellion was raging and when there was weeping and mourning all over our land for those who had fallen in the ranks on both sides of that great conflict.

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List of Furniture and Bric-a-brac in Executive Mansion, compiled from data furnished by Mr. Pendel, Usher, by direction of Col. F. A. Bingham, April 5, 1898.

Main Vestibule

The three large Gothic chairs and the two marble mantels have been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

The tiling of the floors was done under Hayes' administration.

East Room

An old-fashioned chandelier hung where the present centre chandelier now hangs; under that chandelier the remains of Abraham Lincoln lay in state.

The present chandeliers were put in during General Grant's second administration; were made in Germany, and cost $1800 each. Each chandelier contains 5060 pieces of cut glass.

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Under the centre chandelier the following distinguished persons lay in state after their death:

Mrs. Harrison, wife of President Harrison.

Wife and daughter of Gen. B. F. Tracy, Secretary of the Navy during Harrison's administration.

Doctor Scott, Mrs. Harrison's father, who was ninety-three years of age.

W. Q. Gresham, Secretary of State under President Cleveland.

The electric globes in the ceiling were put in during Harrison's administration.

I was showing Mrs. Lee, wife of Admiral Lee (now nearly 90 years of age), through the White House in Arthur's administration. She told me that Dolly Madison told her that she had that painting of Washington cut out of its frame in 1814, for safe keeping when the English burnt the Capitol and a portion of the interior of the White House.

The painting of Lincoln by Coggswell was purchased in Grant's second term; cost, $2500.

The painting of Martha Washington is by E. F. Andrews.

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The painting of Jefferson is by E. F. Andrews.

The painting of Washington is by an English artist, name not now remembered, previous to the War of 1812. When the artist finished the work he wanted his money (only $800) and the Government was not able to pay him. A citizen advanced the money for the Government, and paid him.

Green Room

The large cabinet in this room was selected by President Arthur.

The large pair of Chinese vases (about four feet high), standing on the hearth, were also selected by President Arthur.

The clock on the mantel was selected by Mrs. Grant when in the White House.

The brass statuette on the pier table was selected by Mrs. Grant. It is said to be a copy of one taken from the ruins of Pompeii.

The Japanese punch bowl on the cabinet has been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

The small cabinet in this room was selected by President Arthur.

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Blue Parlor

The clock on the mantel is said to be a present from the first Napoleon to Lafayette, and from Lafayette to our Government.

Standing near the hearth on the east side of this room, is a pair of candle stands, probably five feet high. While showing an old, gray-haired gentleman through the White House in Arthur's administration, he told me that they were a present from General Patterson, of Philadelphia (now dead and gone), to General Jackson, when he was President of the United States.

The pair of vases on the pier table on the west side of the room were a present from the French Government to ours. They are the Sèvres ware. On one of them is a picture of Charlotte Corday, who assassinated Marat in his bath in 1792 or 1793. She was beheaded for it. On the other is a picture of Marie Antoinette, who was also beheaded during the French Revolution.

The framework of the furniture, the pier table and the marble mantel have all been in this room since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

The door opening out on to the south portico

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is the one they brought poor Garfield through the day he was shot, to avoid the multitude of people that had gathered at the north front.

The tiling on the south portico was put down in Harrison's administration.

Red Parlor

The antique cabinet mantel, the two cabinets, bookcase and centre table, all made by Louis Tiffany, the artist, of New York, were purchased by direction of President Arthur.

The tapestry fire screen was a present from the Austrian Government; the presentation was made by the Austrian Minister about two months before General Grant's second term expired.

The French clock has been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

The vase on the small table, representing a cactus in bloom, was selected by President Arthur.

The brown pitcher and bowl standing on one of the cabinets on the west side of the room, came from the Birmingham establishment

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in England, and were selected by Mrs. Grant.

The two bronze figures on the same cabinet, and the two on the next cabinet, were selected by Mrs. Grant.

State Dining Room

The brass pheasant, with her brood of little ones, standing on one of the side tables, fronting to the south, was selected by Mrs. Grant.

The four candelabras, which are used sometimes for decorating the state dining table, were selected by Mrs. Hayes.

The five fruit stands are very old, and more than likely have been there since the days of Thomas Jefferson.

The set of chairs with oval backs have been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

The set of chairs with straight pieces in the back were made in New York City, and were selected by President Arthur.

The sideboard and sidetable have also been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln, and perhaps a long time before.

The plateau is sometimes used on the state dining table to represent a lake of water.

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It is very old, and probably has been there since the days of Thomas Jefferson.

The white marble mantels are of colonial style, and have been there probably since the house was built.

During the Hayes administration, two glass doors were cut through so as to open into the conservatory from the west end.

Private Dining Room

The buffet, on the west side of the room, was carved in Cincinnati, Ohio, and purchased during Hayes' administration.

The two sidetables are very old; have been there since the days of Abraham Lincoln, and before.

The silver ship, which has been used on the state dining table, was selected by Mrs. Grant at the Centennial in Philadelphia, for the Government. It represents the "Ship of State," and contains the inscription, "All alone went Hiawatha Through the clear, transparent water," taken from Longfellow's poem, "Hiawatha." Made by the Gorham Silver Company.

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Corridor

The two chairs, made of elks' horns, were selected by President Arthur.

The white marble table near the stairway, was formerly used as a centre table in the Red Room, when Abraham Lincoln was in the White House.

The two white marble pier tables, in west end of corridor, south side, set partly into the wall, used to stand between the Green and Red Rooms, main corridor, and were removed to their present position during Grant's administration.

The grand stairway at west end of corrido? was put up in Grant's administration, by General Babcock, an engineer officer in the army.

The mosaic screen was put in during Arthur's administration by Louis Tiffany, the artist, of New York City.

The furniture (sofas and chairs) were selected by Mrs. Cleveland.

There is a pair of delicate, blue vases in one of the private chambers upstairs, which were selected by Mrs. Grant. They are from the city of Venice. On the lid of each vase is the head of an Egyptian boar.