The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1881-07-14
COT. ROCkWell's STORY OF the
ASSASSINATION.

New York, July "a Washington
special has the following points con-
corning the attempted assassination
Col Rockwell, after expressing strong
hope Of the presidents recovery, was
asked: How IL II that you were not
with the president at the time Of the
shOoting:"
"YOu. see," said the colonel, 1.-THE
boys. James and Harry, started off in
the presidents carriage to pick up DIR.
Hawks. their tutor, who was stopping
ON r. street. The president had ar
ranged the night before for Secretary
Blaine to call at the nlalsion to 20 to
the depot with him. The secretary
came around i'm his own carriage.
Mine was in the reserve and followed
just behind the secretary's. had sew
eral pieces Of baggage to dispose of,
and 80 drove directly to the baggage
room and was getting checks when
heard the crack crack with an in
terval between the shots As long "a IL
would take 10 cock the pistol On the
sill of the door leading from the ladies'
parlor into the general reception room
or main hall, stood Secretary Blaine
calling for me. and pointing to the
WOuuu Nv tuc dSSdSDIu nul-
teau. II was q terrible thought, but
nevertheless it flashed across my mind
that the president had been shot.
Quickly hal the presidents carriage
brought TO the main door, the cush-
ions arranged to make the president
as comfortable ns possible, and was
prepared to take him directly to the
mansion. The physicians advised
against it, and for the best After I
had written from his iictation q
Washington telegram to his wife, and
q hasty examination had been made
up stairs. he was removed to an am.
balance, the president put his right
hand in mine and the driver was eau.
toned to proceed slowly over the cob
bic stone pavement until We reached
the concrete at Seventh street. We
had Travelled about two squares from
the depot when he asked: How far
are we now" and In u sulsdued voice
said 1T hurts, oh IL hurts At Thir-
teeiith street he again asked: Where
are We now:' I told him and he urged
us To go little faster"
HAS the president said anything
more to you about the affair."
HE would If We would let him, but
the physicians forbid his talking"
"And Mrs Garfield"
1T would be impossible for me to
describe the brave, heroic wife and
mother. She, too, realizes the re-
straint which the medical advisers
have been compelled to put upon her
visits to the presidents bedside. The
between them, the union of
their hearts lmpels The president to
want to exert himself, and then we
have to protest and the good woman
retires."
rs Il true that on the morning of
the deed the president turned Q hand
spring over his bed"
at was the morning befOre-this
day week. Jimmie, here the fellow
sits" pointing to Secretary Browns
desk, dcame into his fathers chamber
half dressed. and In his nimble way
turned . handspring over the bed and
back again. See here, papa IL you
were not so stout you might do that,
too, couldn't you:' The president
kept ON with his toilet until Jim
mics hantering sOineWh hat amused
him, and before the boy could real
ize Il the president had turned grace
fully from the side Ut the large double
bed to the other and came down
with thump on the fiO0r. There my
boy, the sOn IL not greater than his
father. Now finish your DRESSING"
81 suppose" continued the colonel,
1.-THE story was told to illustrate the
strength Of the president and his sup
pleness ut his age of life. Very few
men Of 50 years, for the president will
be that old the 9Th Of November next,
would dare to undertake such . feat,
but the story has . thrilling secret.
You know the ladies' nom where the
shots were fired Il about ~ wide -
that Is from the door sill to the oppO-
site hall. The aisle way leading to
the main hall Ii formed by double
rows Of seats heavily cushioned and OF
large frame work. When the presi-
Dent entered the depot with Secretary
Blaine ne was In his oheeSiest mood.
He passed half way down the aisle,
Blaine preceding him . few steps. |
Guiteau stood ut the inside end Of the |
row Of seats ut the main entrance ON |
The LEFT when he fired. The first shot |
lid the president no harm, for hp !
turned To see whence the sound came |
and saw Guiteau advancing. He was
Ia leap over the sat. That |
Is he realized when he turned partly |
around that the man had fired nj HIM. |
He instantly determined to attack the |
him. The next instant the president
would have been fnce to fAce with Gui-
leau. His confidence In his ability tn |
,pring over the barrier, for the back OF |
he seat IL about four feet high, flashed
p,pu him and HE whole muscular |