The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-07-13


i1prs oil the Cabinet were then present
Messrs. Blaine, Window, Lincoln, Hunt
and James. Inafew minutes Attorney
General McVeagh, who was at his Office
when the deed was done, had arrived.
The Presidents on Harry, scarcely
realizing what had happened, for but
little blood fell from the wounds, stood
ready to fight or die in his fathers de-
fense. The scene beggars description.
A beautiful summer morn, warm and
tranquil as the face Of nature in early
spring, encouraged the brightest
thoughts and happiest feelings in the
hearts Of the company that was to jour
new with the President. Now their
countenances were black with sorrow.
president Garfield assassinated,
exclaimed SecretaRy Hunt. I'm
possible" No, If meteoric stone had
singled him out as its victim 1t could
not be more improbable. Secretary
Lincoln quickly gave the order for the
troops stationed at the arsenal to hold
themselves for Immediate orders. The
same was done by the secretary of the
navy, who directed that the marines
should be held for similar orders
Meanwhile word was sent to Surgeon
General Barnes, Drs. Norris, Lincoln
and Woodward reuuiring their imme-
diate presence at the depot. With the
messengers trooping over the pavements
it was not long before every part of
Washington was informed of what had
happened. and the fact became generally
known. Then a crowd soon assembled,
and in less than ten minutes Sixth street
and b street were packed with people,
and the news of the horrible affair flew
from mouth to mouth and spread over
the city like wildfire. An attempt was
made to rush into the building and cries
were raised to lynch the assassin, but
strong force of policemen, summoned
by telephone, had arrived promptly on
the scene aud preserved order. In the
meantime the President had been car
ried TO a room upstairs and the physi-
clans summoned.
After remaining for about an hour in
the depot it was decided TO remove the
President to the White House. Accord
ingly, a police ambulance was sent for,
and the wounded man, attended by Col
onel Rockwell, was driven home. The
events above related were not generally
known until some time after they had
occurred.
Except the orderly crowd that assem-
bled in front of the White House and
police headquarters there was nothing
to indicate that national tragedy had
been enacted that would startle the
whole civilized world. The people first
became convinced that something had
happened out of the usual course by the
rapid driving of a carriage through
Pennsylvania avenue, clearing the way
for the ambulance which followed, care
fully driven and attended by a guard of
mounted police. From mouth to mouth
the intelligence spread. The Presi-
dent is assassinated; was shot at the
| depot as he was going into the cars. "
There were no loud demonstrations, no
disorderly language. The astonishment
following the startling announcement
deepened into unbelief, and the people
seemed paralyzed with the horror of the
moment. Still, the crowd followed the
ambulance that entered the broad car
riageway leading to the executive man
sion. Policemen already guarded the
gates and kept the crowd back, but
through the fence and gateway the am.
bulance was seen to pause before the
open door of the White House, while
the large, fine form of the President
was tenderly lifted from the vehicle, ,witl
the pallor of death stamped on hi;
countenance. CHANGING upward to the
windows he saw some familiar faces
and with smile, which those who saw
it will never forget, he raised his right
hand and gave the military salute, whicl
seemed to say: Long live the repub
lic"
THE WOUNDED MAN AT THE WHITE HOUSE
/ ; A few moments afterward carriages
began to arrive, bringing the presiden
tial party from the special car whert
they had been seated only few moments
before in anticipation of a summer
pleasure tour. Soon afterward Mrs
Hunt, Mrs. James and Mrs. Windon
were joined by Mrs. Blaine ana Mrs. W
L. Sherman. Other friends of Mrs
Garfield quickly arrived, but were de
MED admittance, and soon the ponder
ous gates which lead to the executive
mansion were closed, and armed mill
tary sentinels silently took their place
about the house and grounds. Thes
troops We're ordered from the garrison
at the arsenal in order to relieve tn
regular police, whose services wer
needed in the city where the crowd
were rapidly increasing in angry excite
ment, There was only one company o
soldiers, but the glance of their bayonet
flashing in the sunlight as they Wake,
with measured tread the severa
paths to which they were assigned
recalled the last hours of Presiden
Lincoln, when the same astonishmen
and horror were reflected on the face
of the crowds that surged about the ex
ecutive mansion.
The President was carefully liftel
from the ambulance and carried to
sleeping chamber in the southeast corne
of the building, and was soon sur
rouudad NV Tho most auninant T,bvefoion