Towanda daily review. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1879-1921, 1881-07-16
Washington Letter.

as we'll as elsewhere throughout the land
during the past week, has been, of course,
the cool and desperate attempt of the as
sassin Guiteau, to murder the President.
The shock was so sudden and unexpected
that men, women and children, seemed
as it were, paralyzed with doubt and fear
whilst the deep and heartfelt grief of ev-
cry one, as the sad news spread with
lightning rapidity throughout the city,
produced gloom which fell like heavy
pail over the entire community. Bust
ness was almost entirely suspended and
the streets were constantly crowded with
a solemn throng OF human beings repre-
senting all colors, classes and conditions
of society, upon whose faces could be
read in lines Of the most unmistakable
character, the deep sorrow that had so
suddenly filled every heart coupled with
the fear that the wretch had accomplish
ed his tiendish work, and that ere the
setting of another sun the tolling bells
would announce for the secoud time in
the Nations history, that an honorable
Ruler had fallen a victim OF the assassin's
bullet. Thanks be to God that now we
can hope with some reason, that the
Presidents life will yet be saved
[ went to the scene of the shooting at
the depot, few moments after it occur
red, and working my way through the
crowd which already filed the large build
ing and the streets leading to it, finally
reached the main stairway leading to the
room on the second floor to which the
President had been removed. The stair
way was strongly guarded by policemen,
but knowing the password | passed the
guard and soon reached the Superintend
ent's room where on mattress lay the
wounded hero, surrounded by sympa-
thizing and sorrowing friends, members
of his Cabinet, several physicians, his
son Harry and others. / noticed among
those present, Secretaries Blaine, Win
dom, Hunt and Lincoln, Gen'ls Sherman
and Rockwell, U. S. A., Col. Robt. G.
Ingersol and Drs. Townshend, Bliss and
Lincoln.
The President was very pale, but SEEM
ed cheerful and talked calmly to those
around him while preparations were being
made for his removal to the White House
which was speedily done, the police am
bulance having been ordered up for that
purpose; and when the mattress upon
which the President was lying had been
properly adjusted therein, u guard of
mounted police surrounded the ambulance
and it was driven at a gallop up the ave-
nue. to the White House, where he
was removed up stairs to the bedroom in
the southwest corner of the building, and
il consultation of surgeons called to the
bedside of the-as was perhaps-dying
man.
Meanwhile the assassin had been arrest
ed taken to police headquarters, and
from there speedily removed in a close
were ordered out to guard the Jail against
any demonstration on the part of an out
ragged people against the prisoner. Gen.
Ayers, of the regular army was at once
ordered to take charge of the White
House grounds and place the whole under
Il strong military guard, which was
promptly accomplished, all approaches
thereto hayilg been closed aid Il patrole
put on duty, no one being allowed to en-
ter the grounds without permission from
the proper authorities. The people be-
gan to gather about the main entrances
from the avenue, and by noon thousands
were cOn1re1ated thern wnitinm with