The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-20
Scenes and Incidents of the
Sick Room.
Preparations for the Removal
and Funeral.
President Arthur takes the
Oath of Office.


the Presidents death first reached Rock
Island. This information was gained
through private dispatch sent to the Pen
sion Examiner, Captain Chase, who is att
present located in this vicinity. The news
did not spread with any great rapidity, and
report was confirmed by an official bulle-
tin. The tolling of the bells in this city
and Davenport first announced to theI
sleeping denizens the sad fact that Presi
dent Garfield had breathed< his last, and theI
administration of President Arthur hadl
been commenced.
THE NEWS
The ARGUS office and the telegraph
headquarters were beseiged by an anxious
crowd of citizens, eager to learn the de
tails and particulars of the demise of theE
second martyr President of the United
States The medical profession was we'll
represented in the different crowds which,
congregated about the various offices IN
the general public, were quite surprised to-
hear the sudden termination of the late:
Presidents life, as the official bulletins
published in the ARGUS Monday after-i
noon though discouraging, were not of al
character to indicate that death would occur
within so short time. The unofficial
account of the late Presidents case was
sufficiently alarming to warrant the conf
clusion that death might occur at any
time; and later facts prove that these rel
ports were more trustworthy that those
issued under the office seal
MOURNING.
At the first official information of theH
death of the chief executive a general
feeling of regret was everywhere mani
tested, Sympathy for the bereaved fami
" of the late president was Expressed by2
the numerous people on the streets Thes
first flag to be suspended at half-mast was
from the front portico of the Harper house,
and in a short time after the news became 4
generally known, black was suspended
from many business houses along Second !
avenue. Among the most prominent places
Of business to observe the decorationE
during the night were M. G. Mills, d. Il
Bowlby and Fred Appelquist, as well as.
the ARGUS office. During the earlier
hours of the morning the badge of mourn /
ing was placed upon numerous other busl-
ness as well as private houses.
CIRCUIT COURT.
This morning at nine o'clock, on the
convening of the circuit court, on notion
of Mr.. Gest, bar meeting was organized, I
and Judge Smith was selected as chairman nj
Judge Smith in taking the chair stated
that the object was to pay respect to the!
memory of Gen. Garfield, and the meesingI
was ready to take whatever action was1
thought advisable.
Maj Connolly arose and said that the
country was thrilled by reason OF theI
death of President Garfield, an event in|
its history which would never be obliterat
ed. He stated that we have had two sad|
scenes of this nature in our history. Thel
great and good Lincoln, whilst President
died by the hand of an assassin. Presil
dent Garfield, whose record as a soldier as
well as civilian was part of the coun
try, also died from the assassin's wound
Being the head of our government 1t Is
proper that our courts should show respect
to his money, He moved, therefore, tina
the circuit court adjourn for the day
Mr. Sweeney seconded the motion anC
asked that to-day all over this lane
sympathy for the dead President existed
He thought it right to show this respect tc
his memory promptly. Although another
day may be selected for proper observance
by the chief authorities and ON that day
another adjournment of the court might
be proper, he believed in adjourning now
1t is great incident in the history of oul
country, and should be observed with re
spect.
Judge Smith then announced that ir
ccordance with the action of the bar meet
ing. Court win now adjourn until tomor
row morning.