The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-07-02

touched any vital part, and that when
the man had gained sufficient strength
and composure an effort might be made
to find the ball. Directions were given
that the President should see as few
persons as possible, and that he should
be kept from conversation or making
any particular effort whatever. After
consultation it was determined by tho
surgeons that at o'clock, if the condi
ton of the President would permit,
they would probe for the ball. When
the hour arrived it was found that the
President was not in condition to under
go the operation, and from this time he
began to show symptoms that were re-
garded as very unfavorable-internal
hemorrhage having been distinctly recog-
nized.
During the afternoon, although suffer-
ing intensely from his wound, the Pres
ident several times gave exhibition OF
his well-known good nature and genial
disposition. At one time, while Secre-
tary Blaine was sitting at his bedside,
the President, turning his head, said
+" Blaine, what motive do you think that
man could have had in trying to assas-
sinate me?" "I do not know, Mr..
President; he says he had no motive
he must be insane" To this the Presi-
dent smilingly answered 81 suppose
he thought it would be glorious thing
to emulate the pirate chief" At an
other time, when one of his sons was
sobbing at his bedside the President
said: "Don't be alarmed, Jimmy, the
upper story is all right, it is only the
hull that is little damaged" When
Colonel Rockwell announced to him
that Mrs. Garfield had started on
special train from Long Branch, he said
with evident feeling: "God bless the
little woman; hope the shock won't
break her down."
ARREST or THE ASSASSIN.
Immediately upon hearing the pistol
shot Officer Kearney, who remained at
his post Of duty near the B street en-
trance after the President entered the
building, ran into the large reception
. room, and was in time to see the as
sassin running toward the east door,
which opens on Sixth street. Before
reaching this door the assassin turned
back to make his way out of the north
door, where he was met and arrested by
Officer Kearney. The officer met the
prisoner on the steps and said to him {:
81 must arrest YOU" "All right" said
the assassin, "I did it and will GO to
Jail for it. am a stalwart, and Arthur
will be President. Officer Kearney
took his prisoner into the large waiting
room, where he was joined by one Of
the railroad officers and escorted to
| o1.tp 1,n h.,
gave Kearney a card on which was witt
ten: "Charles Guiteau, of Illinois,"
that being the prisoners name. Guiteau
is described on the books at police
headquarters as follows: "Charles
Guiteau, arrested at 9:25, July 2, 1881,
for shooting President Garfield; aged
thirty six; white; born in the United
States and q lawyer by profession; !;
weight, 130 pounds; has dark brown,
thin whiskers and sallqy complexion;
dressed in dark suit with black
slouch hat"
Mrs. Sarah V. E. White, the lady in
charge of the waiting-room at the depot,
was the person who first reached the
President after he was shot. She thus
describes the shooting and arrest of
Guiteau: II saw the whole thing. The
man came in from the door, ent ering
the ladies' room from the main waiting
room, as the President entered the mid
die door from B street. Wien he had
approached within five feet of the
President he fred, aiming, thought, at
the Presidents heart, and missed him.
The President did not seem to notice
him, but walked right on past the man.
He fired again and the President fell.
He fell right at the turn of the second
row of seats. 1 was the first TO reach
him and lifted up his head. The jan
itor rushed in and calleG the police. /
held him until some men came and
lifted him up. He did not speak to me
or to any one until young man, who, |
think, was his son, came. After he had
vomited think he said something to
him. When he was lifted upon the
mattress he spoke or groaned. The
man who shot him said nothing; no
words at all passed between them. The
man walked deliberately out of the
center door, where somebody headed
him off. He turned and started back
the way he came, and was seized at the
door by the police. I have seen the
man once or twice before. One time in
particular noticed him, few days ago.
He promenaded up and down just az he
did to day, wiping his face and appar-
emily excited Thought he was wait
ing Tor some friends. This morning he
waited here half an hour walking up and
down. There were few people in the
room when the shot was fired. All the
passengers had gone out. l think there
was a gentleman near the door"
The following letter was taken from
the prisoners pocket at police head
quarters, showing conclusively his in
tention to kill the President:
July 2, 1881.
To tie White House:
The Presidents tragic death was q
sad necessity, but it will unite the Re
publican party and save the republic,
Life is fiimsy 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 without
a tear. l presume the President was a
| GbriStiar aud thok h. Mill h. L.,