Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-06
A Deed of Horror.


PRESIDENT GARFIELD SHOT IN WARRINGTON
HUMASIrr's FRIEND THE VICTIM OF AN AS
sAssiNs RULIErs-A STRICKEN NATION IS
BOWED TO THE EARTH WITH GRIEF, SPEECH
LEss IN THE PRESENCE OF COLOSSAL
CRnIE--THE AssAssIN-LATEsr NEWS MORE
EScoURAGisG-rHE PRESIDENT STILL SUR
vIvEs-HIs RECOVERY HOPEFUL.
The president OF the United States was shot
with revolver about twenty minutes past nine
o'clock Saturday morning, the ID inst, by an
assassin named Charles J. Gulteau. The president
had just reached the Baltimore & Potomac rail-
way station with portion OF his cabinet, intend
ing to leave on the limited express for New York.
As the president entered the ladies' waiting room,
Secretary Blaine walking by his side, the assassin
fred from behind at n close range. The presi-
dent fell forward, and while he was falling
second shot was fred, both taking effect, one
In the right arm below the shoulder, the other
above the right hip near the kidneys The as
sassin was instantly seized by policemen, and
borne away to place OF security The wounded
president lying upon the floor in the ladies' room
was instantly surrounded by the horror-strcken
spectators OF the terrible deed, chief among whom
were Secretaries Blaine, Window and James.
Mrs. James, Mrs Hunt and Miss Window were
also standing near the president. Dr. Bliss arriv-
| ing few moments after the shooting, the presi-
dent was put upon bed and carried to private
room In the railway station, and additional surgi-
cal aid summoned. The wounds were pronounced
very serious but not necessarily fatal At half
past ten o'clock, under strong escort Of police,
the president was taken to the white house in an
ambulance where he was made as comfortable as
possible in his own chamber, and all persons ex-
cluded from the grounds surrounding the man.
sion. A consultation Of physicians was held.
All efforts to determine the course and locality OF
the ball which entered the back were unavailing
and 1t was deemed the wiser course to give over
for a while the search with the probes The
president remained entirely conscious through
all these terrible SCENES and regarded his situa-
tion with great calmness. At eleven o'clock he
dictated the following dispatch to Mrs. Garfield,
who was at Long Branch:
"Nrs. Garfield, Eiberon, Long Braneh.-The president
wishes say you from him he has been seriously
hurt how seriously he yet say lie Ia himself and
hopes you will him He sends his love you
(signedD A. y. ROCKWELL"
The condition OF the president apparently i'm
proved as time passed on. Immediately after the
shooting his pulse dropped to a low ebb and his
face was Of an ashen hue. His pulse recovered
materially, color returned somewhat to his face,
| and surface indications gave ground for hope
| that he would rally. Noon came. The president
| appeared quite cheerful and he continued to i'm
prove. At about one o'clock an unsuccessful
effort was made to probe for the balls. There
were no signs Of serious internal hemorrhage and
very little external bleeding. As the hour OF two
o'clock was reached the unfavorable symptoms,
which all apprehended but hoped might not APP
pear, began to be detected, and the bulletins were
scanned In vain for reassuring word. Through
all these trying hours when CONSERVATION brooded
over the nation the presidents mind remained
clear, and he continued brave and cheerful, con-
versing freely with those around him. Through
the day and night of Sunday the bulletins bore
hopeful tone, and, despite his extremely critical
condition, hopes cherished that the president
would recover. There was no fatal hemorrhage
and an irritable condition of the stomach had been
partially overcome To these favorable crcum-
stances were added his naturally strong const-
tuition, Irregular habits, cheerful spirits and un-
clouded mind, great fortitude and determine
ton to recover II possible. Monday opened with
| the dismal announcement that inflammation had
set in and the presidents wounds must prove
| fatal, but later in the day hope was expressed
| from the continued favorable condition OF the
sufferer that, in the resolute words Of the dis
patch, he would pull through"