The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-07-08

assassinate President Garfield. Before any
doubts could be expressed in relation to the
news il was confirmed by later dispatches.
The greatest horror was expressed, and for
once, at least, Mr. Garfield has had the SYM
pathy of the entire American people, without
regard to party,
ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
About halfpast nine o'clock Saturday
morning, President Garfield, accompanied by
Secretary Blaine and others, went to the Bal
timore and Potomac depot at Washington,
for the purpose Of taking the cars for the
East, intending to join Mrs. Garfield ut Long
Branch. Whilst waiting in the depot a man
named Charles j. Guiteau approached the
President, and without word of warning
fired at him twice, with heavy revolver
The first shot entered the right sleeve of the
Presidents coat, passing up the same and
out ct the shoulder, inflicting only slight
wound. The second ball entered the back
passed through the liver and Is supposed
to have lodged in the side.
President Garfield fell to the floor, bathed
in blood. He was taken to the superintend-
ent's room, where in II few moments a
number of surgeons were in attendance
They expressed the grayest doubts, when
they saw the direction the ball had taken.-
An hour afterwards he was removed to the
White House. Mrs. Garfield was summoned
by telegraph and came on from Long Branch
at the utmost possible speed Owing to the
breaking of piston at Bowie Station the
cars were detained and she did not arrive in
Washington until G45 p. NJ.
Guteau attempted to escape but was ar
rested. 1t was with extreme difficulty that
the police prevented the infatuated crowd,
which soon assembled, from tearing him limb
from limb. When arrested the assassin said :
arthur will DC President now did it and
knew what | was doing. am n stawart
and my letters will explain the rest" The
letters, tied up in II package, were found in
his pocket On the outside was letter adj
! dressed to the public, rs follows:
"JrLY 2, 1881.
"IOWe VIVA HOHSC The Presidents tragic
death was a sad necessity, but it will unite the
Republican party and save the republic Life
| is tlimsy dream, and it matters little when one
goes human life is of small value. During
| the war thousands of brave boys went down
without II tear. presume that the President
was n 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 90 at any tim" any Way. had no ill-will to-
ward the President.
ellis death was Il political necessity. | am a
lawyer, theological and IL politician. | am IL
stalwart of the slalw lrts. | was with General
Grant and the rest Of ur men in New York during
the canvass ] Lave some papers for the press
which | shall leave with Byron Andrews and his
cojournalists ut li20 New York avenue, where
| all the reporters can See them. ] am going to
the jail. CHARLES GUITEAU."
SKETCH OF GUITEAU.
Charhs j. Guiteau, who shot the PIesi
dent, is II native of Illinois, an is about 40
years of aye. He had been known as n pet
tilogging lawyer in Chicago for number of
years. For the last two mont lbs he has been
hanging around The White House, endeayor
ing To secure the appointment of consul to
MarscilIcs He is said 10 be II vicious
and wild character His actions might lead
to II belief that he is insane but those who
know him well believe is insanity to he
feIgncd. lie manifested no concern as to his
fate and said he was sorry he had not fired
the third shot and ended Mr.. Garlield's suf-
lerings.
II Guiteau is not insane, he is an adept
in teigning insanity. lie declares that il was
revealed to him from God that he should kill
Mr.. Garfield and end the difficulties existing
in the Republican party, He says il the
President dies the stalwart Republicans will
not allow him to suffer. His father, in let
a. written in 1Sr9 lperribnS IA q CON hn rla,
as capable ofalmost any folly, stupidity or
rascality, and likely to to become hopelt ssly
insane. He could do nothing with him and
abandoned him to his own devices
A LETTER TO GEN. SHERMAN.
Shortly after Gniteaus arrest an unsea ed
letter was found on the street, written by
Guiteau and addressed to Gen. Sherman In
this letter lie tells the latter he has shot
the President, as political necessity, and
asks Gen. Sherman to order out the troops
and take possession of the iail.
HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED
The news created the most intense excite
ment in all parts of the country, and the
deepest sorrow was everywhere expressed.
kilograms poured in to Washington asking
for the latest news of the condition of the
President and expressing the deepest SYM
paihy for him From no section has the
sympathy for the President and detestation
for the crime been more deep and sincere
than from the South. The common feeling
Of humanity trumphed over every other sen.
timent.
kilograms of sympathy and coincidence
were received from Gen Hancock, Gen.
Grant, Vice President Arthur and other
prominent men, but among them all there
was none from Poscoe Conking. Can il be
possible that this man. great in so many
things, tan be Indifferent and calous to an
ev'nt which strs the country to its very
centre? Are his feelings so embiltered that
he can withhold n word of sympathy and re-