Main Content

Three Ushers Foil an Assassin

Thomas F. Pendel was a White House doorman from the Abraham Lincoln administration to the turn of the 20th century. By the time Chester A. Arthur succeeded James A. Garfield in September 1881, Pendel had experienced the assassinations of both Lincoln and Garfield.

Even before Arthur moved into the White House, a man who "seemed perfectly rational" came to the Executive Mansion, asking to see the new President. Pendel sent him on his way, but two weeks later he returned.

Another usher, Mr. Allen, approached the chap, who handed Allen a note. Allen walked over to Pendel and said, "Tom, that man is crazy."1

Chief Usher Eldon Dinsmore tried to persuade the visitor to come along with him to see President Arthur; but the fellow sensed he was being deceived, and he attempted to bolt.

"Dinsmore grabbed him by the collar," recounts Pendel, "and as he did so, the man's hand went down to his hip-pocket." Allen went for the pocket "and drew out . . . a six-shooter, with every barrel loaded." Pendel confiscated the gun. The "ugly customer" was packed off to police headquarters, and "that was the last we ever saw of him."2

Thomas F. Pendel, A White House Doorman for Thirty-Six Years

This portrait of Thomas F. Pendel appeared in his 1902 memoir, Thirty-six Years in the White House.

Show Me More

Footnotes & Resources

  1. Thomas F. Pendel, Thirty-Six Years in the White House (Washington: Neale Publishing, 1902), 123–124.
  2. Ibid., 124-125.

Share

Related

Related
Next America’s Irish Roots

You Might Also Like

  • Collection

    The Carter White House 1977 - 1981

    On January 20, 1977, Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as the thirty-ninth president of the United States. During his time in the White House (1977–81), President Carter made many decisions guided by his fundamental commitment to peace and democratic values, emphasizing human and civil rights above all else. Putting these ideals into practice, President Carter negotiated the Camp David Accords, secured the release of Am

  • Collection

    The 2024 White House Christmas Ornament

    Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has had the privilege of designing the Official White House Christmas Ornament. These unique collectibles — honoring individual presidents or specific White House anniversaries — have become part of the holiday tradition for millions of American families. In this collection, explore the history behind our 2024 design and learn more about President Jimmy Carter. Buy the

  • Collection

    The Nixon White House 1969 - 1974

    On January 20, 1969, Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the thirty-seventh president of the United States. During his time in the White House (1969–74), President Nixon sought to unite a divided nation after the social, political, and cultural turbulence of the 1960s. Before becoming president, Nixon served in the U.S. Navy, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and as

  • Collection

    Presidential and First Lady Portraits

    Since 1965, the White House Historical Association has been proud to fund the official portraits of our presidents and first ladies, a long-standing tradition of the White House Collection. Recent presidents and first ladies typically select their respective artists before leaving the White House and approve the portraits before their formal presentation to the public and induction into the collection. The