Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-07-14
THE GREAT CRIME.
Attempted Assination of Pres
ident Garfield.

ident Garfield.
The readers of the Journal no doubt
have all heard in some form of the
shooting OF President Garfield by a
man named Charles Guiteau, who is
either insane or desperately depraved,
at the Baltimore s. Potomac depot in
W ,L----~A~ys ty1vuIuuy Uuty 1.
'Edt not all have access to the daily
papers, and we give below the details
of the horrid tragedy as made up from
the details.
WASHINGTON, July 2.-President
Garfield, at $40 A. NJ. to-day was shot
twice by Charles Guiteau in the sta
tiOn of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad in this city, one bullet taking
effect in the arm and the other enter
ing the side near the backbone and
lodging somewhere in the intestiues.
The story of the occurrence is full
of exciting interest. 1t had been ar
ranged that the President and several
| members of his official household should
leave on the limited express at half
| past nine. The Presidents party was
to go first to Long Branch and thence
through New England, as previously
announced. Secretary Window, Post
master General James and Secretary
Hunt had arrived before the President.
They were accompanied by their wives
and other members of their families.
Colonel Rockwell, who acts as sort
of personal aide to the President, was
also in advance of MS chief, accom-
panied by his son, Don Rockwell, and
by the Presidents son Harry.
The President and Mr.. Blaine had
traversed half Of the main hall of the
station when Guiteau walked out de-
liberately with a cooked revolver. He
gave no warning and said not a word,
bat presenting his pistol fired at
the Presidents heart. Whether on ac-
count of defective aim or because the
President was in motion is not known,
but the shot, instead of going to the
Presidents heart, went into the upper
part of his arm, making a harmless
wound. The assassin, with the same
devilish deliberation, next tried to
shoot the President in the stomach,
but the first shot caused the President
to turn slightly, and the second fire
only an instant after the first, struck
him in the SIDE or back near the tack
bone. AT this the President fell heavi-
ly. Mr.. Blaine, almost paralyzed by the
sudden event, hesitated a moment be-
tween helping his friend and secur-
ing the assassin. He called loudly for
help and the assassin was secured.
The horrible occurrence 'caused the
crowd to fall back at first in terror,
but the waiting-woman of the station
at once went to the stricken mans as
sistance. Few realized what had oc-
cured. Two shots had been heard, but
no unusual noise had preceded or fol-
lowed the event. But the sad news
spread rapidly.
The President lay prone on the floor,
the blood flowinqfrom Goth his wounds
most copiously. Some minutes elapsed
before those present could get their
senses. Nobody seemed to know what
to do. Mr.. Window, Mr.. James and
Mr.. Hunt came in and viewed the
PROSTATE figure. Mr.. Window shed
tears and could not control his emo
tion. Mr.. James was more practical.
He and Mr.. Blaine soon secured a
mattress anG not long afterwards the
wounded President was taken up stairs
and placed upon bed.
The scene at the bedside was most
affecting. The President lay upon his
back. his wounds bleeding profusely.
His coat, vest and trousers had been
cut away, and the half dozen surgeons,
who by tfis time had arrived, pro-
nounced the injury of most serious
character. The sudden shock had af-