Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-07-05
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT GARFIELDI
The Assassin's ArrestI
INTENSE EXCITEMENT EVERYWHERE

$50 this morning, at the Baltimore and Po-
tomac depot.
Two shots were fred at the President, the
first taking effect near the shoulder, the
second striking him in, the back as he fell.
The assassin was arrested immedi*.ely
The name of the assassin is said to be
"Guitsau," of Chicago, ex consul at Nar.
settles.
The city is thrown into wild excitement.
The President was entering the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad depot, where he was
about to take the limited express for New
York. AT this moment, it is reported, that
TIVE shots were fred, both of which struck
the President
The President was shot at 92s A. N, as
he was entering the Baltimore and Potomac
depot TO take the train for Long Branch.
Others of tho party had taken seats in the
train, and the President and Secretary
Blaine entered arm in arm. As they reached
the ladies' waiting>room man who stood ON
the right of the President raised his arm an
deliberately fred two shots from revolver,
exclaiming as he did so: .Now we will have
Arthur for Presidentp
The first shot struck the President in the
right arm. The President and Secretary
Blaine seemed too much bewildsred TO resi-.
lie the truth. Blaine shouted, "Where is
Colonel ReekWell?" The assassin innsdi
ately tired another shot, which took effect in
the Presidents side, and the victim sank to
the floor.
Col. Rockwell and several police oisers
came at once to his assistance, and he was
carried to the superintendents room on tie
floor above. The President did not say a
word when first shot. Meanwhile the assas-
sin was seized by those neal, and would have
been torn to pieces but for the efforts of the
police.
He was taken across Pennsylvania avenue
to the police station, and it was there dis.
covered that his name was Alonzo Guitsau,
an attorney-at>law from Chicago. Drs. Bliss
and Reyburn were at the depot at the time
and at onss went to the Presidents side.
Drs. Lincoln and Thompson were sent for
at once. Hurried consultation was held and
at 1920 A. NJ. an ambulance was called and
the wounded Executive was lifted in by COL
Rockwell and two police officers, uhs also
took seats therein ,and the vshiele started for
the White House. The news had spread
like wildire.
Pennsylvania avenue was as crowded
almost as when the President rode to the
White House in state on the 4th Of March.
a squad OF mounted police forced a passage
guarded the entrance to the White House
grounds.
He was carried at once to his chamber
and laid on bed. Surgeon General Barnes
was also in attendance by this time; cur.
sorry examination showed that the second
shot had lodged in the groin just over tho
kidney.
The city is in state of the greatest ex-
citement; gloom seems to pervade every
heart. The prisoner is a young man, five
feet six inches in height, and weighs about
40 pounds.
The Presidents first action on recovering
consciousness, was to dictate a telegram 10
his wife, as follows:
"Mrs. Garfield, Elberon, Long Branch:
"The President wishes me to say to Won
from him that he has beon seriously hurt.
How seriously no cannot say. he is him,
self and hopes you will como to him soon
He sends his love to you.
"Signed- A. F. ROCKWELL"
Mrs. Blaine is with the President. DR..
Bliss has charge of the ease. The rreot
name of the assassin is Charles Guiteau He
was formerly United States consul to M.r>
settles. He has been around tho White
House and departments for several DAYS act.
Ing IN strange manner, and the attaches
thought him crazy.
He was noticed in the White House
grounds at dusk last evening. This morn
ing he engaged a carriage at = stable and
said he wanted quick team, that be wanted
to stop at the depot minute and then go to
Arlington. later account shows that he
tried to escape after he fred the shots and
said nothing until he was arrested.
Then he said: az have shot President
Garfield; Arthur is now President. lam n
stalwart"
He has been lodged ia ths Distrio. Jail
and is allowed to see no one. He is said TO
be crazy beyond doubt.
The shooting occurred in tho presence of
some fifty or sixty ladies. The pistol with
which the firing was done is California
weapon with an extremely heavy ealibre
better kaown as "bull-dozer."
A Star extra states that the assassin said
after the shooting:
81 did il, and want TO be arrested. lam
q ssalWart, and Arthur is Prssidsn. SOW
have letter here that want Won to give
to General Sherman. twill explain every>
thing. Take me to the police station"
Guiteau was removed from his position "a
Consul to Marseilles, France, about three
months ago. He is Frenohman and had
been living in Chicago. He had been con,
sui for about two years.
In the prisoners pocket was found the fol.
lowing letter:
JULY 2, 1881.
To the White House:
"The Presidents tragic death was sad
necessity, but it will unite tho Republican
party and save the republic. Life is fimsy
dream, and it matters little when one goes.
human life is of small value. During the
war thousands of brave boys went down
without tear. 1 presume the President
was Christian, and he will be happier in
Paradise than here. It will be no worse for
hrs. Garfield. dear soul, to part with her
husband this way than natural death. Ee