Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-23
MMS. LUCRETIA GARFIELD.
Sketch of the Widow of the Late
PreStdent-Tlie Garfield Fund.

The tragic death OF the President
has brought the various members OF
his family more distinctly before the
nation than was ever the case before,
and the most profound sympathy has
been aroused for the faithful wife and
mother, who almost arose from her
own sick bed to watch over his bedside
through all those weeks of terrible
affection, and her history, hardly less
than that Of the lamented President,
is Of general interest.
Mrs. Garfield, whose maiden name
was Lucretia Rudolph, was born near
Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, in
1887. She was the daughter of a re.
spectacle farmer, who had sufficient
means to afford her an excellent edu-
cation and whose surroundings indi-
Gated a love of refinement not gener-
ally observable among the sparse pop
%ulation of the place. From her child
hood she was thoughtful, amiable and
industrious; and as she grew in years
her intellectual bias became so marked
and lis fruits SO promising hat all her
friends and family entertained, with
out hesitation, the bright hopes that
have long since been more than real
lied.
In 1858, Miss Rudolph, who had
been studying at the academy in which
President Garfield was then a Pro-
lessor, became the wife of the latter.
The match was one purely Of love, in
asmuch as neither party wa over
burdened with wealth. They had,
however, what was better and moro
enduring-brave, sturdy and honest
hearts, sustained by a spirit of troth
and love, as well as by the supporting
arm of a liberal education. From
the moment that the nuptial knot was
tied Mrs. Garfield set about the bust
ness OF life more seriously than ever,
could such have been possible, and at
once began wreathing with flowers
the yoke she had assumed with such
purity and affectionate strength of
soul when a young family began to
gather around her hearthstone, she
commenced that course of Preside ed
ucation and training which has proved
so eminently successful all the world
over, that matured culture and care
to which some of even the greatest
minds OF the age have freely confessed
their Indebtedness.
The nations sympathy with the be.
reaved wife and family finds some eX-
preston in the great fund which has
been or soon will be raised for their
benefit. All contributions, small and
large, come from the hearts as we'll as
from the purses of the people. and
will be accepted no doubt as tokens
of love and sympathy, far surprising
in value as such the worlds wealth OF
gold and precious stones.
Cyrus W. Field, of New York,
makes the following appeal:
1.-THE death of the President has
led to inquiries in regard to the fund
raised for the benefit of Mrs. Gar
field. The whole amount subscribed
is 1851, 598.3S, of which every dollar
has been paid, except a single sub
scription Of $4,000, which was made on
the condition that $245, 900 were first
raised, and may be withdrawn should
not that amount be secured. The
money, as fast as received, was depos-
tied with the United States Trust
Company, and as soon as a sufficient
amount was paid in the Trust Com
pany purchased 100000 of 4 per cent
registered government bonds, to which
has since been added $4,000 more.
Owing to the high premium this
1925, 600 in bonds cost $l45, 28l %.
The bonds remain on deposit with
the Trust Company for Mrs. Garfield,
the interest of which, $4,000 a year.
will be paid to her quarterly as long
as she lives, and at her death the
whole amount will be divided equally
among the surviving children of James
A. Garfield. There is a balance in
cash of S7,3l9.13, which, with what
ever may be added hereafter, will be
applied the same way.
There would seem to be reason for
expecting a considerable addition to
the fund, now that the President il
gone. individuals have made liberal
promises of what they would do in
the event of his death. Some even
felt that there was an improperly in
the attempt to raise a subscription
while he was still living, with the hope
of recovery; that the gift would create
a feeling of personal obligation that
might prove embarrassing hereafter.
Some were restrained from giving lest
their motives should be misunder-
stood. That objection is now removed.
No one need fear the imputation OF
unworthy motives, for which there is
no longer place. Our dead President
has no favOrs to give, no honors to
bestow, He cannot be touched by a
token of public sorrow, even by a
whole nation following at his bier.
But there is a practicable way Of
showing respect for the dead BY kind
ness to the living. He is gone, but
his wife and children live to carry
through all their lives the burden Of
this great sorrow. Mrs. Garfield will
leave the capital in which her husband
was lately the Chief Magistrate o.
100000 Of people, to go back to bel