Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-07-06
A DASTARDLY ACT.
President Garfield Shot ny u
Chicago Lawyer.
The villain Arrested.

tomac depot at Washington, to take
the train for Long Branch, he was con
ironted and shot twice by n lawyer
from Chicago, named Charles Gitteau,
at the same time exclaiming, Nov we
Il have Arthur for President" One
shot struck the President in the shout.
der, while as he fell the other entered
his back. The news of the attempted
assassination of President Garfield
spread like wildfre over this vast coun
try, and spread sorrow throughout our
prosperous land.
The motives which impelled the COM
hitting Of this horrible deed can be
better imagined from a letter written
by the perpetrator of the crime than
can be accounted for by any other
means:
In the prisoners pocket was found
the following letter;
July O. iSs1.
To the White House:
The Presidents tragic death was a
sad necessity, but will unite the Re-
publican party and save the republic.
Life is tlimpsy dream, and it matters
little when one goes. A human life is
of small value. During the war thou
sands of brave boys went down with
out a tear. / presume the President
was a christian, and that he will be
happier in paradise than here 1t will
be no worse for Mrs. Garfield, dear
sui, TO part with her husband this way
than by natural death. He is liable
TO 60 at any time, anyway. have no
i'll will toward the President His
death was apolitical necessity. ! am n
lawyer, a theologian and a politician
| am a stalwart of the stalwarts. |
was with Gen. Grant and the rest Of
our men in New York during the can
vass. | have some papers for the
press which shall leave with Byron
Andrews and his co,journalists at 1920
New York avenue, where all the re-
porters can see them. | am going TO
Jail.
(Signed) CHARLES GITTEAU.
Secretary Blaine makes the follow
ing statement;
The President and / were walking
arm in arm towards the train, / heard
two shots and saw man run, and
started after him, but seeing he was
grabbed just as he got out Of the room,
/ came back to the President, aud
found him lying on the floor The
floor was covered with the Presidents
blood, and a number of people who
were around shortly after have some
Of that blood on their persons. The
weapon used was revolver about
Z inches long. II had an ivory handle.
The calibre was very large. 1t is what
is known as a California pistol. 1t
made a loud report. When arrested
the prisoner said II did it, and |
want to be arrested. | am a stalwart
and Arthur is President now. | have
letter here that | want you to give
70 Gen. Sherman. 1t will explain
everything. Take me to the police
station
Il would seem from the letter of Git
teau that the assassination Of the Pres
ident was premeditated deed, and it
is the opinion of many throughout the
country. that the villain is not the only
accomplice to the terrible tragedy. 1t
is also stated that Gitteau is insane, but
this theory is not believed by many
If every murderer in the country can
escape justice through the plea of in
sanity, then there is but little JUS
tice in the land. Be that IA it may,
that the assassin, and all accomplices,
if any, should meet the fullest extent of
punishment for the horrible crime per-
petrated, no man will deny, and the
attempted plea of insanity should be
held for naught. The deed seems to
be too premeditated and cold-blooded
for an insane man.
Gitteau held the office of consul to
Marseilles during the last administra-
ton, and when this administration came
into power he was recalled at the desire
Of Secretary Blaine.
Various and conflicting reports have
been received in regard to the condi- |
ton, but as good fortune would have it,
the President has been slowly improv-
ing ever since he was injured on Satur-
day, and yesterday morning at 8 o'clock
he was reported as showing SYMPTOMS of
marked improvement over those OBJ
served at any other time. His pulse
was nearly natural, and he partook of
nourishment, which he retained with
comfort. He was in much less pain,
and the hope of the Presidents recov-
cry was becoming more general.
LATEST.
Executive Mansion, July 6, S A. NJ.
The following bulletin is Just issued
The President has passed most COM
irritable night and has slept well. His
condition has remained throughout
as favorable as when the last bulletin
was issued. The pulse is becoming
less frequent and is now SO, tempera-
ture $50, desperation %. Next bulle-
tin at I'm.
D. w. BLISS,
J. K. BARNES,
j. j. WOODWARD,
RoBr. REYBURN.
MfchfOau Tox atIau