Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-07-07
The President ASSaSSinated
A Terrible Crime Which Has
Shocked the Whole
World.
A Full History Of the Deed and Of
the Assassin.


The whole world was unutterably
shocked on the morning Of July 2nd,
by telegram from Washington an
nouncing that President James A. Gar
field had been ruthlessly shot down by
an assassin. Almost Immediately the
report was supplemented by a state
ment that the president was dead. but
the latter statement was not true, al
though it was then supposed by his
physicians that the victim of this terri
BILE deed could live but few hours at
most
THE PARTICULARS.
The following dispatch was among
the first sent out:
WASHINGTON, July 2.
James Russell L0ageN, Minister etc., Lon
don:
The president of the United States
was shot this morning by an assassin
named Charles Gitteau. The weapon
used was large sized revolver. The
president had just reached the Balti-
more and Potomac station, at about 20
minutes paste, intending with portion
of his cabinet, to leave on a limited ex-
press for New York. [ rode in a car
riage with him from the executive
mansion, and was walking by his side
when he was shot. The assassin was
Immediately arrested, and the presi-
dent was conveyed to a private
room in the station building and sur
gical aid at once summoned.
| + tor
! ten o'clock, been removed to the exec
utive mansion. The surgeons, in con-
sultation, regard his wounds as very
serious, though not necessarily fatal.
His vigorous health gives strong hopes
of his recovery. He has not lost con-
sciousness for a Ymoment, inform our
ministers in Europe.
Signed, JAMES G. BLAINE,
Secretary of State.
THE SCENE AT THE SHOOTING.
WASHINGTON, July 2.-The president
of the United States was shot twice this
morning in the waiting-room of the
Pennsylvania depot by Charles J.
Guiteau, of Illinois. One shot inflicted
mere flesh wound-not at all danger
ous-in the left arm. The other shot
entered the lower left side from the
back. This inflicted IL serious wound.
When the president received this shot
he fell to the floor. The assassin cried
out: president Garfield is dead Ar
thur is president, and the stalwarts are
avenged! Bring on the police. [ have
letter for Gen. Sherman that will ex-
plain everything" He was at once
seized by two officers in the depot, and
almost before the crowd could realize
what had happened, the assassin had
been taken to the Central station, where
he now lies under guard. Col. Rock
we'll, who was with the presidents par
ty, at once dispatched mounted order
! lies for physicians. The
PRESIDENT WAS LAID UPON A COUCH
in the depot The doors were guarded
against the crowd that began to mass
about the depot, pale with excite
ment. Surgeon General Barnes of the
army, Surgeon General Wales of the
navy, DR.. Bliss, one of the most skillfuI
of the army surgeons, and host Of
local practitioners were soon at the
depot. The president did not lose con-
sciousness, but his pulse ran down to
| fifty-f1ve, and after a short time he vom-
| tied. The shot in the back was thought
for time to be fatal. Reports that
death had already resulted speedily be-
came current. Crowds gathered every
where carriages blocked every cross
ing everyone seemed wild with ex-
element. The public departments at
once suspended business, and nearly
the whole population of Washington
POURED OUT INTO THE STREET.
The air was fresh and crisp the wind
was from the sea; more lovely day
had never been known here at this
season. Instead of the usual sultry at
mosphere of q Washington summer,
the air was as fresh as a northern sea-
side resort. The president himself was
in happy and chatty mood this morn
ing when he left the white house. He
was in perfect health, and looking for
wrrd with delight to his trip to New
England. He wore frOck suit of
tourists grey, and a silkIhat. He was ac-
companied in his ride to the depot by
Secretary Blaine and Col. Rockell. The
carriage that followed him contained
Don Rockwell, son of Col Rockwell.
vi ti4S SaOliISb O4ACS1o USSlu6S hlI. DIdlll6
Messrs. Hunt, Lincoln, MacVeagh and
James were at the depot.
The president was taken to the white
house on mattress in q police abulance
about 10 o'clock. Looking up as he
reached the entrance, he saw Coils.
! Crook and Morton of his personal staff
and pluckily waved his hand to them
as ii to assure them that he was not so
badly injured as had been reported.
AS he was brought in upon the stout
shoulders of policemen, he passed Mrs.
Blaine in the ante-room below, and
KISSED HIS HAND TO HER
with reassuring air. He was then
carried up to his own bedroom, where
Mrs. Garfield was sick SO long, and laid
upon the bed. A consultation of ply
sicians was held at once. Mrs. DR.. Ed,
ison was installed as nurse. Col. Rock
well sat upon the bed, watching the
president, while Mr.. Crump, the stew
ard, stood at the head of the bed. DR..
Bliss was placed in charge of the case.
All the physicians were pale and trem-
bling with excitement. The president
was the coolest person in the room.
He was perfectly cheerful, and imme-
diately ordered dispatches sent to his
wife and mother, to contradict rumors
Of his death, that might have reached
them.
A dispatch dictated by the president
) was sent to Mrs. Garfield, who was al
Long Branch, expecting to meet hel
1 Il