The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-10 00:00:00

PRESIDENT GARFIELD

The Philadelphia Correspondent of The Times, 'writing on
Sept. 6, gives the following account of the removal of Presi-
dent Garfield from Washington to Longlffauch
The President has successfully started on his journey
to Longbranch. The anticipation of it, for he talked
about it frequently, caused his pulse to advance on
Monday evening ; but be passed a comparatively com-
fortable night, though the weather was sultry. Every-
thing was in readiness by three o'clock this morning.
The track from the station to Washington had been
completed; and another temporary one, from Elberon
Station, Longbranch, to Mr. Francklyn's cottage,
had been constructed during the night by labourers who
worked by the light of powerful locomotive head lights.
Thirty soldiers from Governor's !Island, New York
Harbour, were sent to Longbranch to guard the grounds.
The President awoke early, anxious for the journey to
begin. His pulse was then 104. He started at 5.50
this morning. Stout bearers lifted the mattress on
which he lay, and, placing it on a stretcher, carried it
downstairs, out of the White House, to a temporary
platform, where it was placed on a large wagon
furnished by Adams's Express Company. The wagon,
with the physicians accompanying it, was driven out
of the White House inclosure, the President waving
his hand as a farewell to the inmates, who had gathered
on the portico. The wagon was driven carefully over
the smooth asphalte pavements to the temporary track
on Pennsylvania-avenue, arriving at 6.15.
The President was then transferred to the car, his
mattress bein g laid on spring boards arranged in the
centre of the car to prevent too much motion. The
floor of the car was heavily carpeted, the sides
were draped with curtains, and the windows and
ventilators were covered with gauze, excluding
dust, smoke' noise, and draughts. Heavy axles
were fastened to the floor of the car, their weight
overcoming oscillation. The President rather en-
joyed the ride. Everything was accomplished suc-
cessfully. The railway manager telegraphed along
the Pennsylvanian line to suspend all traffic as
the train advanced. It started at 6.30, a large
crowd witnessing its departure. The tunnel
north of Washington was passed through without
the President suffering any inconvenience, and the
train ran to Bowie, seventeen miles north of Wash-
ington, in one hour. The surgeons then reported that
the President was doing so well that they would like
to increase the speed where it could be safely done.
All railway traffic had been suspended, so that every
train stood still while the President passed, and no
whistles were blown or bells rung. Crowds at all the
stations along the line reverently lifted their hats
as the train passed, bidding the sufferer God speed.
The train passed the Baltimore tunnels at eight
o'clock, having come twenty-one miles from Bowie
in forty-four minutes. The President's pulse ad-
vanced to 114 upon leaving Washington, but
declined to 106 at Baltimore. The surgeons reported
that he was standing the fatigues of the journey well.
After leaving Baltimore the speed was maintained at
35 miles per hour, this rate reducing the vibration to
a minimum. The train thus lan towards the Sus-
quehanna River, crossing the head waters of the
Chesapeake Bay. The President appeared revived by
the change of air, and took nourishment with relish.
At his request a telegram was sent to his mother
announcing his successful progress. The train crossed
the Susquehanna Elver, 36 miles from Baltimore, at
nine o'clock. The President was then reported to be
enjoying the journey. A pilot engine ran twenty
minutes ahead to clear the track.
LATER.

The President's Wound was successfully dressed in
the train this side of Baltimore. After crossing the
Susquehanna river, the President appeared so well
that the speed was increased to fifty miles an
hour. He passed Philadelphia at 10.52, and said
it was decidedly the most interesting day he had
passed since he was shot. The physicians felt
greatly encouraged, and are so expressing them-
selves. The line was crowded with people as ttie
train passed West Philadelphia. Crossing the
Schuylkill River the train then ran north and
crossed the Delaware River at Trenton at 11.45.
The high speed was maintained. The train left the
Pennsyl: ania Railroad main line at Monmouth at
12.7, and then took the direct route for the seashore.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey was traversed,
and Elberon Station was reached at 1.10. The Pre-
sident was in the cottage at 1.20, the entire journey
from the White House having occupied seven hours
and a half. The President's pulse was then 110. He
1% as pleased at the good speed that had been made,
and said he preferred fast travelling. A splendid cool
sea breeze blew in at the window of his chamber, which
overlooks tlie AtlanLic 02ean . The journey was en-
tirely successful. Everywhere along the route crowds
witnessed the train passing. At remote rural stations
many had come miles to see it. The President's con-
dition this afternoon is reported good, the journey
having benefited him.

The following telegram was despatched from Long.
branch on Tuesday night, by Mr. Secretary Blaine,
addressed to the American Ambassador in London :
"The President left Washington at half-past six this
morning and reached Longbranch at twenty minutes past
one. de seemed to bear the journey well, though
the heat was very oppressive. After his arrival he was for
several hours restless, showed signs of great fatigue, and
complained that his back had a bruised feeling.
His pulse rose to 124, and his temperature to 101
and six-tenths. At this hour, half-past ten, he
is sleepin,r, and his fever is abating. His surgeons regard
his symptoms as the necessary result of the journey, and ex-
pect a favourable change in this air within the next two
days. The fever is attributed in part to the excitement he
felt at the prospect of cowing. lie earnestly desired to
leave the White House, and his weary eyes welcomed the
sight of the sea. The developments of the next sixty hours
are awaited with solicitude."

Public prayers for the President's recovery were
offered on Tuesday in many States in the North and
South.

The Governor of New York State fixed Fiiday as
a day of prayer for the President's complete restora-
tion to health.

The Governors of a number of other States fixed
the 6th and Bth inst. as days of prayer and supplica-
tion for the President's complete recovery.