New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-08
THREE OF THE PHYSICIANS RETIRE.

DRS. BARNES. REYBURN AND WOODWARD, AFTER
SIGNING THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF LAST EVEN
ING, WITHDRAW PROM THE PRESIDENTS CASE
AT THE PRESIDENTS DESIRE.
LONG BRANCH, N j., Sept. About IL o'clock
tonight it was ascertainei authoritatively that
Drs Reyburn, Barnes and Woodward had signed the
last official bulletin the Presidents case having
immediately after the issuance of this evenings
bulletin withdrawn from the corps of attending
surgeons. lntimatOns that their withdra al would
soon occur have been rereated from time to time
and the stories have been published Last night
the matter was revived and, while 1t appeared to
be well founded, it could not be officially vori-
fed. Diligent inquiry, to-day, however, has
developed the facts in the matter, which are sub
stantiallv as follows:-Previous to leaving Wash
ingtOn. after it had been determined to remove
President Garfield to Long Branch it appears the
President asked his wife if all the attending sur
geons were going along. Mrs. Garfield replied that
she presumed they were. The President then ex-
pressed opinion the effect of which was that he
did not see why that necessary. Further dis
cussion on the subject brought out the Presidents
wishes and the withdrawal of the three gentlemen
named is the result.
Dr. Bliss stated tonight in response To opestions
bearing on the matter that there was no
cause for the withdrawal or retirement of the sur
geons, beyond the fact that it the desire or
whim of very sick man. and, the President had
entertained the idea that fewer number of physi
clans could manage his case as we'll as the
number heretofore engaged upon it, it was
desired by Mrs. Garfield that his wishes be
complied with. The doctor stated further that
the best of feeling prevailed among the surgeons
and that the retirement of Messrs Reyburn Barnes
and Woodward would not in anv manner affect the
intimacy which had grown up between them since
the President shot. After the wish
OF the President made known to one
of the attending surgeons in Washington by Mrs
Garfield. consultation on the subject took place
resulting in its reference to DR.. Agnew with view To
obtaining his opinion as to the best mode of pro-
cedure.
d. Agnew recommended that the President he
requested TO name the surgeons he desirOus of
retaining in charge of his case, which was done
Dr. Bliss it appears objected to assuming the entire
responsibility of removing the President to
Long Branch, and insisted that the entire number
of surgeons should accompany the patient thither
compromise was then effected which was that all the
surgeons should come TO Long Branch with the
President, but upon arrival or as soon after as pos
sible the three mentioned should retire.
Dr Reyburn was approached on the subject to-
night, and admit that the facts the case wer
substantially as above stated He corrobora-
ted the statement of DR.. Bliss that the
oeSns oeSI oi he h1eehnS prevailed among the sur
s m 10 WIshng on Immediately, before dong
80 ne desired to pay brief visit to some relatives
at' Ocean Grove. The movements of Drs Rarnes
ana woodward are not definitely known hut n 10
Thought that they will soon return TO Wasbingtop " .
Ut; Agnew lett here this morning for PHILADELPHIA
Dr. Bliss Will remain in charge of the President.
as heretofore, two surgeons being constantly in at
tendance. 49, "