Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-07-06
THE Az FIJI SHOT.

WASHINGTON, Jnly This morning
a little after o'clock, President Garfield
took carriage at the White house and
drove to the depot of tho Baltimore &
Ohio railway, for the purpose of taking
the train ON his return to Long Branch.
He was in cheerful spirits, chatted laugh
ingly with friends before starting and on
the way, and was full of generous life.
He was accompanied to the depot by
| Secretary Blaine, and the two emerged
from the carriage and entered the ladies
room. where they were walking together,
engaged in conversation, with 40 or so
persons Immediately around them, or
near by when the circle was penetrated
by wild looking man, who drew heavy
| California pistol of the "hulldozer" pat
tern, and fired two shots at the president,
| one hitting him in the arm and the other
in the side, above the hip joint, directly
over the kidneys. The president part
Tally fell from the shock but was seized
in the arms of Blaine and others around
him, and was conveyed to the railway
officers room in the building where a
couch was extempOrized for his reception.
Mr.. Rockwell the presidents private sec
rotary grasped at the assassin, who said
in q loud voice, II did it. am a stall
wart and Arthur is now president. lake
a letter have here to Gen. Sherman,
and he will tell you all about it." The
prisoner at once on being requested,
wrote his name upon a card: CHARLES
Gitteau, attorney at law, Chicago" He
was shortly after removed to the police
station and thence to the county Jail.
Physicians were Immediately summon
ed, and game from all quarters Of the
city, the most prominent being DR.. Beck
| with, DR.. Lincoln, DR.. Bliss, Surgeon
| General Barnes and DR.. Purvis, (colored)
and every attention was bestowed upon
the distinguished victim. The scenes in
the city resembled in their stormy excite
ment those when President Lincoln was
assassinated
After an hour OF two the president had
rallied somewhat, ana his pulse which
had sunk to trife over so, had risen to
10 Probings for the ball had occurred,
but proved unsuccessful. Conflicting
opinions were expressed as to the proba-
bic result of the wound At one time,
the president rallied so well, it was
thought to be not very serious, but later
symptoms were more discouraging, and
the physicians expressed the gravest APP
prehensions as 20 the result. He was re-
moved to his room in the White house,
and constant preparations for his comfort
were made. Stimulants were sparingly
administered, and perfect quiet prescrib-
ed
The president was perfectly sensible
and cheerful after receiving the wound,
and dictated loving dispatch to Mrs.
Garfield, for the purpose of reassuring
her, and breaking the shock which she
must have experienced.
Secretary Blaine gave the following &C
count of the attempted murder to re-
porter: ''The president and | were
walking arm in arm towards the train. [
heard two shots and saw man run. |
started after him but seeing be was grab
bed just as he got out OF the room, |
came to the president and saw him lying
on the floor. The man was covered with
the presidents blood. A number of peo-
pie who were around shortly afterward
have some Of that blood on their persons.
think l know the man, think his
name is Guiteau
The following is copy of the letter
which the assassin wanted delivered to
Gen. Sherman:
July I'd, 1881.
To the White House:
The presidents tragic death was sad
necessity, but it will unite the republican
party to save the republic. Life is a
fimsy dream, and it matters little when
one goes. A human life is Of small value.