The Portland daily press., 1880-12-09

HOW near we came to Losing a Presi-
---- dent
'President-elect Garfield could never FORGE
me, nor him, as for that matter" said Con-
gresham Springer in meditative manner the
other evening, when asked how we'll he knew
his former fellow-member.
Mr.. Springer then went on to relate an in
teresting episode in Gen. Garfeld's life, one
known to but few of his friends Had it not
beeu for the active exertion of Messrs Spring.
er and Hiscock of New York, Gen. Garfield
instead of occupying his position of future ten
ant of the White House, would now be in his
grave. In 1877, when the Potter inyestigat-
ing committee became roasted out of it's sum-
mer quarters in the capitol by the wicked sun
OF washington, an adjournment of several
days was taken 10 enable the COMMITTEES to
lind cooler place for operations. Atlantic
City was selected. Among the witnesses sum-
moned for examination at this easy-going New
Jersey watering place, was Gen. Garfield. He
was one of the visiting statesmen and was one
of the last of these gentlemen to he examined
The next morning after Gen. Garfield's arriy-
al, and the day he was to be examined, he
upon invitation OF Congressman Springer and
Hiscock, members of the committee, accomna-
MED them to the beach for a plunge in the
breakers. The time selected for the sea-hath
was early morning. so that the water felt quite
chillp to the touch. Gen. Garfield is man of
full habits and inclined to apoplexy. AS he
was not familiar with sea-bathing, he omitted
the necessary formula of first thoroughly wet
ting and cooling his head before entering the
water. He walked up the breakers gradnallv
standing up Pin in the waves as they broke over
niDooy. Inc sudden cooling of the lower
force-pump, to his brain. Suddenly he put
his hand to his head and fell backward as If
shot. AS he fell he lay backward unon the
shelving sands, with the waves throwing a
cloud OF foam and spray over his stalwart fig
drop at the same time. In COMPANY with the
stenographer OF the committee, who was bath
ing with them, they ran hastily back to Gen
Garfield and dragged him back upon the sand
outside OF the water. To all appearances Gen.
Garneid was dead; His heart had apparently
ceased 10 beat For several minutes his ex.
cited companions searched in vain for a SIGN Of
life. The hotels of Atlantic City are fuliv
quarter OF mile from the beach. Whatever
was 10 De done Tor the generals relief it was
evident mt should be done quickly.
II IN 'ne once OF the main bathing establish
ment small bed was found. There Cen
Garheld was carried, stripped and vigorously
RUBBED. The bathing attendant fortunateiy
nad some hot water. The feet of the annar,
entity dead man were thrust into this. whiia
suo euree men VINO nad carried him in worked
like slaves rubbing the body. For LONG time
they worked with the energy of desnair with.
out much hope for it was fuily 90 minutes ha-
lore the faintest semblanc4 of life began to an
pear Then faint warmth abonr the haart
began to show returning life; and as the Glow
spread throughout the body, Hiscock and the
stenographer retired to dress and then ra+nrn
20 reneye Springer. He was alone with Gen.
Garneid when he opened his eyes to conscious.
ness. The general looked wildly about the
pare room OF the bathing establishment and
sa,d @ an, IN bewildered way, what has han
tou had sudden attack of yertioo Will,
oa.hlng," said Mr.. Springer. "A'o
zen: Garfield at once said with great nromnt-
ness; This must be kept from nv family lRft II
"ouIo irigpten them to death"
Mr. Springer assured him that tho ,,,ot.o.
snouia oe Kept secret. So severe was the at.
LACK mat General Garfield was not able to oct
up rom the bed unassisted. He was carried
TO ,ne hotel. where he was obliged to remain
IN bed several days before he was we'll enonob
10 60 nome; He never did appear as a witness
peiore the Potter committee. The gentlama
VINO witnessed his attack secured the smnnres-
sion OF all mention of it at the time in ,ha
newspapers. A week or ten days later tbera
was brief paragraph printed. merelv sauino
tnat Zen. Garfield had been taken suddeniy iii
at Atlantic City, and for that reason had bean ~,
p.esented the from appearing as witness before
tne committee. Nothing more than this mere are
1ion'io" mas ever been made however.