Memories of the White House: The Home Life of Our Presidents from Lincoln to Roosevelt
Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1911. First Edition. Black and white plates. Cloth over boards. Octavo; x, 308 pages.
William H. Crook, a native of Prince George's County, Maryland, served in the Union Army and was a Washington, D.C. policeman during the Civil War. On January 4, 1865 Crook became one of President Lincoln's personal bodyguards at the White House. He worked the day shift on April 14, but went off duty before the Lincolns departed for Ford's Theatre.
Crook recalls that evening quite vividly herein, noting that it was the first time Mr. Lincoln neglected to say "good-night" to him at the end of his shift. Instead, after turning down Crook's offer to go to the theatre as an additional guard, Mr. Lincoln "turned, with his kind, grave face, and said: 'Good-bye, Crook,' and went into his room." The implication being, of course, that Lincoln somehow knew his fate that night.
Crook also makes clear his belief that the guard who did accompany Lincoln that night was derelict in his duty, having wandered away from the door of the box for a better view of the play.
Mr. Crook would serve nine other presidents during his long career at the White House. His memoir is based on his notes and diaries kept at the time, and is filled with interesting anecdotes.
Ref. HOUMES, p. 20.
Near fine. Light extremity rubs, some shallow bumps at extremities, a bit of flaking to White House illustration on upper board. Spine and upper board titled in gilt, which remains bright. Top edge gilt. Hinges sound, clean interior.
Item #1840
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