Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-23
Gen. swa,m's Ac coun, Of the Death.

Gen. Swain, who was the only one with
the President when he began sinking, gives
these details of the Presidents death. Short
ly after 10 o'clock he1was, with Mrs. Garfield,
in the Presidents room. She felt of the
Presidents hand and laid her hand ON his
forehead and said: "He seems 10 be in a
good condition" and passed out of the room.
Immediately felt his hands, feet and knees.
thought that his knees seemed little cool
and got flannel cloth, heated it at the fire
and laid it over his limbs. I also heated an
other cloth and laid over his right hand and
then sat down in a chair beside his bed. Dr.
Boynton then came in aud felt the Presidents
pulse. 1 said, "He seems to be doing we'll"
Eyes" he answered and passed out. Short
" after this the President awoke. As he
turned his head, took hold of his hand. He
said, "Oh, Swain, this terrible pain" plac-
ing his right hand on his breast over the
heart. He said, "Some water" gave him
a glass He took it in his hand, raising his
head as usual, and he drank the water very
naturally Afterward took a napkin and
wiped his forehead. He then said, "Oh,
Swain, this terrible pain press you hand on
| it." laid my hand on his chest He then
| threw both hands up to the side and about on
a line with his head and exclaimed, "Oh,
Swain, can't you stop this 2" And again,
| 'Oh, Swain" l then saw him looking at
me with staring expression. asked him if
he was suffering much pain. Receiving no
answer l repeated the question with like re-
suit. 1 then concluded that he was either
| dying or was having a severe spasm and call
| ed to Daniel to tell DIR. Bliss and Mrs Gar
field to come in Immediately, and glanced at
the small clock hanging on the chandelier,
| and saw that il was 10 minutes past 10.
When the light shone full on his face, saw
that he was dying. When DIR. Bliss came in
a moment after, said; Doctor, have you
any stimulants? He seems to be dying"
He took hold of his wrist as if feeling for his
pulse and said, "Yes, he is dying" 1 then
said to Daniel, run and arouse the house"
| At that moment Col. Rockwell came in, when
DIR. Bliss said, "Let us rub his limbs, )" which
we did. In a very few moments Mrs. Gar
field came in and said, "What does this
mean ?" and moment after exclaimed, "Oh,
why am 1 made to suffer this cruel wrong y
At 1895 p. NJ. the sacrifice was completed
He breathed his last calmly and peacefully.
Mrs. Garfield gave way to no paroxysms of
grief but quietly withdrew to her own apart
ment kilograms were Immediately sent TO
the Presidents mother in Ohio, and to the
sons, Harry and James at Williams college,
as also to Vice-P President Arthur and other
prominent public men.
How Gen. Arthur Received the News
When reporter came to Gen. Arthur's
door at 11:3O and said that the President was
dead, he said, "Oh, no. II cannot be true,
it cannot be. have heard nothing" "The
despatch has just been received, said the re-
porter. 81 hope, oh, my God, 1 do hope il
is a mistake" Gen. Arthurs voice broke al
the last words, and his eyes filed with tears
A few moments afterward telegram was re-
ceived. Gen. Arthur broke it open slowly
After reading 1t he buried his head in his
hands and remained in this position for a
long time The despatch was handed slowly
around among the friends. 1t was the Off
cial announcement of the Presidents death
Shortly after this the colored door-keepel
was asked if the general would give the presi
any information as to his probable move
ments. II daren't ask him." was the reply
''He is sitting alone in his room sobbing like
a child, with his head on his desk and hi
face buried in his hands. dare not disturb
him."
Taking the Oath Of Omee.--His FIrs
Day as President.
On the receipt of a message from the cab
met advising the Vice President to take tn,
oath of Office at once, messages were sent Il
justices of the New York supreme court, ant
about o'clock Judges Brady and Donohu
arrived at Gen. Arthur's residence. Soon af
ter the oath prescribed by the constitution
was administered to Gen. Arthur by Judg
/ Brady.
, At IL o'clock Gen. Arthur, in compan,
with Secretaries Blaine and Lincoln, went b,
special train to Elberon. On their arrival tn
! party were driven to Secretary MacVeagh'
I cottage, when cabinet meeting followed, a
t which the funeral arrangements and the ques
, ton of holding an inquest on the President
a body was discussed. The former question
were easily settled, but over the latter Their
was good deal of discussion. The Jerse
law proved TO be that where the assassin
in custody he must be present OF the inquest