William Crook Picture History

Abraham Lincoln was known as the savior of the Union and emancipator of slaves, a reputation that brought him many enemies. After numerous attempts were made on his life, round-the-clock security was adopted in the White House. Guards, such as the loyal William Crook, were dressed in plain clothes and followed the president whenever he left the house, assuming the role of a friend or confidant. The function of the new guards was unknown to the public, and according to Crook, Lincoln "did not want it blazoned over the country that it had been found necessary to guard the life of the president from assassination." Lincoln was said to have been plagued by dreams and premonitions of his assassination. His friend Ward Hill Lamon recalled Lincoln's words as he confided in his wife and close associates about one such dream. "... There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. ... Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. ... 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers, 'The President,' was his answer; 'he was killed by an assassin.'" Before Lincoln attempted to leave for Ford's Theater, Crook pleaded with the president not to attend the event and asked if he could at least accompany him as an extra bodyguard. Lincoln denied Crook and said, "I believe there are men who want to take my life, and I have no doubt they will do it." After John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln, Crook later claimed that the guard John F. Parker was defunct in his duty at the Ford's Theater and that had Parker been at his post the bullet would have missed Lincoln. Parker had apparently gone for a drink across the street when Lincoln was shot. Many people claim that Lincoln's spirit still walks the halls of the White House today. The first person to have reportedly seen him was Grace Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge. Most of these "hauntings" have been in the Lincoln Bedroom, where one observer claims to have seen Lincoln pulling up his boots.