Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-13


HOaxed-an Annapolis " Crank {"
Takes a Hand.
WASHINGTON, July 12.-One Of the mys-
teries not yet explained, connected with the
shooting Of the President, is where is the
first bullet OF the assassin, which went
through the Presidents coat sleeves The
most diligent search has been made In the
depot building by scores of persons, and no
mark or sign OF what became Of this bullet
has been found. Persons have stood where
Guiteau did when be fred the shot and have
measured the probable elevation of his pis.
tol and the range Of the bullet, but no mark
on the opposite wall can be discovered
This has been a puzzle that has attracted
considerable attention.
To-dsy's Evening Star publishes a letter
from Nicholas Jackson, Of Annapolis, Md,
TO explain the mystery. Jackson wrote to
the Star that he was IN the depot with q
| friend when the President was shot. That
the first shot struck him (Jsckson) on the
chest. That he felt the wound and thought
It was fatal shot. He rushed from the
depot, and as soon as he could, stripped his
chest and found that the bullet had struck
a medal which he had worn for twelve
/ years, and this saved his life. That the
place covered by the medal was very sore,
and the bullet had lodged inside his cloth
ing. That he secured the bullet and still
has 1t in his possession. He did not speak
OF the matter, and required his friend TO be
secret, because he knew he would be de-
tained in Washington as a witness, and this
delay would cost him his situation, as he
knew that his employer would put another
man in his place II he lost time from bust
ness.
In his letter Jackson requested that the
District Attorney be informed Of his state
ment, and said that he was willing now to
give snV information he had. The letter
described the entrance OF the President at
the depot, and entered upon other details,
and, though erroneous in some minor par
ticulars, seemed to be straightforward.
This evening your correspondent tele-
| graphed to the editor of the Annapolis Re
publican, giving the name signed to
the letter and the main points OF it,
and asking the editor to ascertain II
the story was true. Editor Brewer, of the
Republican, replied by telegraph "that
Nicholas Jackson is a harmless lunatic, and
is never permitted tn leave Annapolis, and
that his whole story was untrue. The entire
story was a fiction OF diseased miud."
Jackson is the ninth "crank" who has
figured more or less In connection with the
shooting of the President. The others have
all turned up in Washington in person. SO
the whereabouts Of Guiteau's first bullet is
as much a mystery as ever. There are dozens
Of theories as to what became of the bullet,
but nothing is positively known.
The President not only passed a much
better day today than yesterday, but the
signs of improvement continue tonight.
He rested easier to day, and said he felt
better. General Swain, who is almost con-
stantly by him, said tonight that the Presi-
dent looks better, that his eyes have more
life in them than heretofore, and that he is
gaining some little strength from his daily
nourfshment. His food remains on his
stomach and digests well.
DR.. Bliss sad to night, at nine O'Clock,
that he felt encouraged, because the after
noon fever had not risen as high as last
night; that the doctors anticipated an in
crease, and though they felt disappointed
at the high temperature Of last night,
they we're gratihed at the fever
not going so high this evening.
He said the usual afternoon Increase OF fe.
yer did not come on until much later in the
day than formerly. That at 4 O'Clock p. m.
bis pulse had not reached 100, and he
thought this somewhat favorable. He be-
reved the fever would decline more rapidly
tonight than formerly.
At 1920 o'clock Dr. Bliss was seen again
by reporter. He said the pulse had de-
clined since the $50 bulletin from 104 to
lO2, and the temperature had been reduced
two-tenths. The temperature was then
1O2 2 10. He was confident that the de-
cline of the fever would continue through
the night.
Postmaster General James tonight sent
the following dispatch to the Union League
Club Of New York:
cdr. Woodward, one Of the attending
surgeons, tells me that be thinks the Presi-
dent has passed the best day since the
shooting, being less disturbed during the
febrile rise this afternoon than on previous
days. He says the actual maximum tempe
rature attained this afternoon is less than
yesterday, though it still represents con-
siderable afternoon fever. The doctor adds
that he, In common with the other phYsi-
clans attending the President, feels more
hopeful every day, although it is not yet
possible to pronounce the President out of
danger" Mr.. James expressed himself at
10 O'Clock tonight IS more hopeful than
ever, and said all the attending surgeons
had given hopeful opinions.
Vice President Arthur called upon each
member Of the Cabinet this afternoon and
informed them that he had pressing matters
OF business requiring his attention in New
York, but he did not care to leave Washing
ton unless the Presidents condition war
ranted it. He was advised to call at the
White House tonight, and ascertain for
himself the Presidents condition. He did
so, and was met by the Cabinet. He had
short interview with Mrs. Garfield and a
very pleasant one. The surgeons informed
the Vice President they thought that he
could go away without any apprehension Of
any unfsYorable turn in the Presidents
case. The surgeons assured him that they
had additional reasons tonight for feeling
hopeful. The Vice President expects to re-
turn to New York tomorrow, but will prob
ably come back to Washington in a few
days.
At midnight your correspondent visited
the White House to ascertain the Presi
dents condition at that hour. Both the
surgeons. who are remaining through the
night with the President, had gone TO
sleep. The President was sleeping soundly,
being watched by his nurses.
just before going to sleep the doctors
left word that anybody calling for informs-
ton should be told that the President was
resting naturally and easily, and doing fine
". That the fever was receding and the
C ed most promising. The attend
ants at the White House said the fact Of the
doctors going to sleep looked well, as they
have not been In the habit OF doing so.
There was a report circulated tonight |