New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-03
THE PRESIDENT SHOT.
A CRAZY OFFICE -SEEKERS CRIME.
THE PRESIDENTS RECOVERY HOPED FOR.

uAIF-CaAZED OFFICE-SEEKER NAMED CHARLES
GUrrEAU-INrENsE EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT
THE CoUNrRY-FAIsE REPORTS OF THE PREsI'
DENTS DEArH-IIIs WOUNDS AT FIRST THOUGHT
FArAL--THE UNAVOIDABLE SYMPTOMS FOL-
LOWED BY SHARP RALLY AT NIGHT-THE
CHANGE MARKED AND H0PEFUL-soRRow AND
INDIGNATION AMONG ALL CLASSES OF CIri-
ZENs.
President Garfield was shot yesterday in the
waiting-room of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad Depot, just after his arrival
to take the train for New-YOrk in COM
pany with several members of the Cab
met. The assassin was an apparently
haf-crazcd Office-seeker named Charles
Guteau, known in Chicago and Washington
as worthless character. Two shots were
fired, one taking effect in the Presidents
shoulder, the other making dangerous wound
in the groin. The assassin was arrested and
removed under strong guard for fear of
lynching.
Secretary Blaine was at the Presidents side
when the shots were fired. Before the Prcsi-
dent was removed from the depot to the
White House, he sent touching message
of affection to his wife, at Long Branch,
who Immediately started for Washington by
special train. 1t was at first supposed that
the wounds might not prove fatal. but the
physicians could not reach the bullet lodged
in the groin, and the internal bleed
ing gave nse to the gravest apprehcn-
sons. Several times during the day false re-
ports of the Presidents death were in circula-
ton. Toward evening hope seemed to be aban-
doned even by the physicians, and death was
looked for. Later, however, marked and
hopeful change took place, and the latest in
dicatiOns are encouraging. At midnight he
was resting quietly.
The President was conscious at all times except
when under the influence of Opiates, and was
cheerful. When the physicians informed him
last night that he had one chance in hum
dred" of living, he said bravely, "Then We
will take that chance!"
The news created intense excitement through
out the country and in Europe, and there
was universal expression of sorrow and in
dignatiOn. The Ministers abroad were kept
fully informed 10y Secretary Blaine of the
Presidents condition.
Nice-President Arthur remained in this city
during the day, hut left for Washington last
night upon the request of the Cabinet. He
received several kilograms from Secretary
Blaine, and sent expressions of sympathy and
hope to Mrs. Garfield.
THE STORY OF THE CRIME.
STATEMENTS OF EYE wITNEssYs s-THE AssAssIy's
ATTACK MADE WITH STARTLING sud- NNFss-
TWO SHOTS FRI d BEFORE ANY p RsON COULD
RIsLIz: HIS OBJECT-AO GENUINE EFFORT To
EsCSPs.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON, July 2.-It is difficult to write COM
posedly of the tragedy that has been enacted here
to-day. dumb horror seems to have taken DOS
session of everybody. and few people appear to be
able to realize the present situation, much less to
forecast the future.
Mamma, crazy man has shot the President
down in the depot" was the exclamation that a
TRIBUNE correspondent heard this morning a few
minutes before lo o'clock, as ne was walking in the
street. AL at once the very air seemed TO be filed
with whispers of the tragedy. great crowd gath
cred almost instantly around the Baltimore and po
toinac Depot, i'll Sixth-st., in which the Presi-
dent was shot. hundred different and con-
hicting stories of the manner of the shooting
and its effect spread like wildfre throughout tbc
CITY, BY common consent business was suspended
In the shops and ,tores as well as in the nnhlc
Offices, and the population of Washington emntied
seii ito the streets and gathered at every corner
~ listen to the newest tale of the tragedy An ac
count OF the shooting given by Secretary Blaine ia
Judge Shellabarser this afternoon is probably as ac-
curate as any that can be obtained
SECRETARY BLAINEs STORY OF TIE CRIME.
Ihe PRESIDENT and Mr.. Blaine rode to the depot
TINS morning in carriage together Mr.. Blaine
says that the President was in an unusuallv o,.o,
mood, and several times expressed his keen prati6.
cation that the relations between himself and the
members of his Cabinet were so harmonious and
That the Administration was a unit
"heh the carriage arrived in front of the dcpot ON
D-s'. the President and Mr.. Blaine left il and
entered the ladies' waiting which thew naesod
through arin-in-arm. Mr. Blaine says that he
Woppco the fresidents arm as they were passing
through the door into the main room. at whic,
instant two shots fired. Mr. Blaine saw q man
running and started toward him. but turned almost
immediately and saw that the President had foI,e,
IL was then he first realized that the sbo had hoo
directed at the President. He sprang toward him
"' VI" several Others, and raised his head from the
floor.
Aat hal