The Portland daily press., 1881-09-24
The Nations Tragedy.
Incidents and Reports of the Long Illness.
IN. Y. Herald Special ]
DR. AGNEW

DIR. AGNEW.
1t is difficult to place Dr. Agnew in this case
because he has refused, almost to the point Of
brusQuerie, to talk to anyone except the imme-
diate associates of the President Reticent,
governed by sense of piety, shrinking from
comment and observation, never seen except
in shadowy, feeting manner as he passes
over the lawn, avoiding public places in the
Elberon, declining courtesies and attentions
he has spent his time when here either in the
sick chamber of the patient, or alone with a
friend or book. "Why don't you, doctor"
he was asked, "hold some conversation with
the gentlemen of the press? They are anxious
to give your opinion to the country about the
case in which you are charged, and it is one
which the country is entitled to know about. "
81 have no opinion" said the doctor, (which
can be of any value to the gentlemen of the
press. do not want my name in print. l
shrink from every publication of it. have
no acquaintance with Mr.. Garfield. have
been summoned to his bedside as might have
been summoned to that of the laborer on the
sidewalk who had been wounded by an acci-
dent am not in charge of the case. My on
ly duty is to advise and assist and try to save
his life. do not desire to be discourteouS to
the gentlemen of the American press, but my
duty is not to them, but to the President and
his family, and the best service the gentlemen
of the press can render to me is to leave me
alone" | do not render to me is to leave me
ton on the part of DIR. Agnew, because all the
information which comes to your correspon-
dent at Elberon confirms the impression. He
has been the governing mind in President
Garfield's case. He has inspired confidence in
the cabinet, and especially in the family. II
cannot tell you," said DR., Bliss in conversation
the other morning with some of the persons
who float about Elberon, show happy | am
when / see Agnew appear. am glad, OF
course, to see Hamilton, but Agnew comes
like a dispensation Of power" 1t is now well
known that from the moment that DIR. Agnew
came into the case he has never believed IN
the Presidents final recovery. AS l said
few moments ago, when he opened the wound
in the Presidents body for the first time, his
opinion was the blow was death blow.
DAMON AND PYTHIAs.
There is nothing which is more beautiful in
the history of this tragedy than the affection
of Rockwell and Garfield. OF Rockwell many
things have been said, but think his charac-
ter requires further reference. He is simply
an officer in the quartermaster's depart
ment, and with the departure of Garfield from
the earth, will probably sink back into the
merest clerical duties. But very dear to the
heart of Garfield had Rockwell become.
They had been friends in college: they had
been friends in life. When the bullet of Gull
teau passed into the body of the illustrious
victim the first words to come to his mind were
'Where is Rockwell?" From that moment to
the moment of death Rockwell remains at the
side of the President, offering most hopeful
and most precious comfort. With the tenden-
cy to sentiment in his character, which might
have the effect of disparaging to ordinary ac-
quantances, Rockwell has carried to Elberon
frankhearted gentleman, fine eyes, an open
face, clear strengthening lips, always hopeful,
never doubling never for one instant losing
his belief that his companion of his youth and
comrade of his college days, the President Of
his pride and ambition, would live. On Mon
day evening, Sept. 49, the day ordained by an
| infinite Providence that Garfield should die,
the joyous, confident Rockwell sat upon the
Elberon porch talking to some friends. 1t was
| then about 8 o'clock in the evening, the stars
were shining with more than June brilliancy,
and in the distance was heard the soft lullaby
of the ever sounding sea. 81 tell you, said
Rockwell, 'sthis man is going to live. he Is
| worth far more to-day than o thousand dead
| men: have left him in the most cheering con-
| dition possible" This he said in that assur-
auce, that enthusiasm of the loyal, true gentle
| man, and therefore it will surprise some of you
| that within an hour of the time they were
| given the President lay dead. 1 did not men
tion this incident to criticize Rockwell but to
show you the manner of the man who has been
perhaps closer to the President than any other
Of his friends,