Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-07-08
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF
PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
A Lunatic Attempts the Murder Of the
Chief Magistrate
The Assassin in Jail!
Great Hopes of the Presidents Recovery

The Assassin in Jail
Great Hopes Of the Presidents Recovery !!
&C., &C.. &C.
The country was startled on Saturday
morning at the announcement that an
attempt had been made to assassinate
President Garfield, as he was leaving
Washington for the North. We give be-
low full particulars of the horrible crime
and all the attending circumstances. The
bulletins from the White House for the
past three days are of character to give
great hope of the Presidents recovery
THE SHOOTING AT THE DEPOT.
1t was announced several days since
that the President would start this morn
ing on an Eastern tour. to assist in sever
al college commandments. He arrived at
the B. street entrance of the Baltimore
and Potomac Road about $50 O'Clock, the
others of his party having arrived shortly
before him. They consisted OF Secretary
and Mrs. Hunt, Secretary Window and
Mr.. Window, Postmaster General James
and others, all of whom had taken seats
in the cars. The President was accompan-
jed by Secretary Blaine. They came in
the same carriage, the President entering
the depot in the lead. AS he stepped out
of his carriage he asked police officer
Kearney, the depot officer, if he had any
time to spare. Mr.. Kearney answered,
Eyes, few minutes" The officer then
turned bis back, and in an instant the re-
ports of two pistol shots, the one follow
ing close upon the other, were heard
fiha r1oc GUitnan tho occocein hod
seen to enter the depot a few minutes be-
fore the President arrived, though his &C.
lions were not of character to attract
the attention of those who were in the de-
pot. He stood in about the centre of the
hall leading from the B street entrance or
ladies' room, and advanced towards the
President as he entered.
With giving any notice whatever of his
intention he fired, the ball from the first
shot entering the right sleeve of the Pres
dents coat, passing up the same and out
at the shoulder. This ball did no injury,
except scratch the flesh Of the arm, though
it was thought at first it had entered the
shoulder. The President at this juncture
turned, when Guiteau fired second time,
the ball entering the back, passing through
the liver. This staggered the President
and he fell to the floor. Mrs. White, the
janitress of the ladies' room of the depot,
first ran to the President. Secretary Blaine
was so shocked by the occurrence that he
first ran after the assassin, and finding that
he was in the custody of officer Kearney,
returned to the side of the President, who
was taken up stairs to the superintend-
ent's room, where in few moments sever
al surgeons were in attendance upon him.
They expressed the gravest doubts the
moment they saw what direction the ball
had taken. The wound bled freely, though
the hemorrhage was at no time very
pr0fuse.
The President vomited slightly and
tainted, but in short time recovered con-
seriousness and talked freely to those
around him. In an hour it was thought
better to remove him TO the White House,
which was done by means of the police
ambulance, DrS Bliss, Wales and Surgeon
General Barnes riding with him. Col. Cor
bin sitting with the driver, and Col. Rock
we'll, the superintendent of public build
ings and grounds standing on the rear
step. DIR. Lincoln and couple of the
other physicians followed in the wagon of
the chief of the fire department, which
happened to be near the depot at the time.
1t is wonderful how the news of the as
sassinati0n got abroad, and in a few min
utes after the shooting took place several
lldu EclUuCl Gu dUouU UuC uCpOus
Five minutes afterwards the number had
quadrupled, and by the time the ambulance
started to the White House several thou
sand had collected about the depot. A
platoon of mounted police kept the larger
part of the crowd from following, but as
they neared the White House they found
just as many congregated about the gates
there. There was much excitement in the
crowd, and many threats at lynching were
heard. loud and violent curses being heap
ed upon the act of the assassin.
THE AssAssIN's EXPLANATORY LETTER.
The following letter was found on Gui-
teau:
July 2. 1881.
To the White House:
1.-THE Presidents tragic death was a sad
necessity, but it will unite the Republican
party and save the republic. Life is a
flimsy dream, and it matters little where
one goes. A human life is of small value.
During the war thousands of brave boys
went down without tear.
81 presume the President was Christian
and that he will be happier in Paradise
than here. 1t will be no worse for Mrs.
Garfield, dear soul. to part with her hus-
band this way than by natural death. He
is liable to go at any time any way. had
no ill-will towards the President. His
death was political necessity.
81 am lawyer, a theologian and a poll
tlcian. [ am stalWart of the stalwarts.
Twas with General Grant and the rest of
cur men in New York during the canvass.
l have some paper for the press which I
shall leave with Byron Andrews and his
where all the reporters can see them.
am going to the jail.
CHARLES GUITEAU."
The papers referred to above have not
yet been given out for publication. Byron
Andrews, who is the Washington CORES.
pondent of the Chicago s'Inter-Ocean, d
says that while it is true package of pa
pers is in the hands of the police, accom-
panied by note addressed to himself IAN
drewsj, he has no personal acquaintance
with Guiteau and never heard of his exis
tence until this morning. From what he
has gathered from the police Andrews be-
lieves that Guiteau's home is in Freeport
III.
The following letter was found on the
street soon after Guiteau's arrest, with the
envelope unsealed and addressed, "Please
deliver at one: ~
ITO General Sherman on has first assistant
in charge of the Var Department
ITO General Sherman: have just shot
the President. I shot him several times
as 1 wished him to 60 as easily as possible
His death was a political necessity. / am
lawyer, theologian and politician. J am
stalwart of the stalwarts. 1 was with
General Grant and the rest of our men in
New York during the canvass. am 60
ing to the jail. Please order out your
troops and take possession of the Jail at
once.
livery respectfully,
CHARLES GUITEAU."
On receiving the above General Sher-
man gave it the following endorsement:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, -. c..
ssTulv 3 1091-11.35 M