Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-21

, The other suggestion feferred vas tnes
president Arthur come 70 Long Branch this
morning, Secretary Window says the Pres
ident would have been spared great suffering
If he had died Immediately from the shot.
but it would have been worse for the country.
His sudden death would have given the
country 4 great shock Secretary Hunt u
greatly affected. and can hardly restrain his
emotion
President Arthur left for New York in
special train few minutes ago The attend
ing surgeons, who recently withdrew from
the case, and DIR. Lamb of Washington, have
arrived and the autopsy will soon be made.
The members of the Cabinet have just gone
to the Presidents quarters. Gen. Grant &C.
companied Gen. Arthur arm in arm to the
curriage which conveyed him to the Elberon
depot and as the carriage returned empty 1t
is presumed he went to New York with MN
on the special train. Before leaving for
New York Gen. Arthur called upon Mrs.
Garfield and left the cottage bearing the ex-
preston of great sororw and symphthy
There is no truth in the reported illness OF
Of Mrs Garfield. DIR. Bliss said an hour ago
that Mrs. Garfield was very comfortable.
5.35 r. N.
The autopsy has been in progress more
t6an an hour. One of the first discoveries
was a large clot of blood in the heart which
corroborates the opinion CT the attending
surgeons regarding the immediate cause OF
the death.
7.2O r. N.
The autopsy is pretty nearly completed.
1t is said that the bullet was found immed-
lately back of the heart.
Gen Swain, who was the only one with
the President when he commenced sinking,
today gave some additional details Of the
events Immediately preceding the Presidents
death. He SAYS. shortly after 10 he was
with Mrs. Garfield in the Presidents room.
| She felt of the Presidents hand and laid her
hand on his forehead and said. He seems to
| be in good condition." and passed from the
room. Immediately felt of his hands, feet
and knees. thought his knees felt little
cold and got flannel cloth, hested it at the
| fire and laid it over his limbs. l also heated
another cloth and laid it over his right hand
and then sat down in chair beside the bed
DIR. Boynton then came in and felt of the
Presidents pulse and said he seems to be do
| ing well and passed out. Shortly after this
the President awoke, and as he turned his
head took hold of his hand. he said. ''Oh
Swain this terrible pain"
Placing his right hand on his breast over
his heart, he said, "sOme water" gave
him glass. He took it in his right hand,
raising his head as usual and drank the water
naturally. Afterwards took q napkin and
wiped his forehead. He said, ''Oh Swain |!
this terrible pain; press your hand on my
breast" laid my hand on his chest. He
then threw both hands up to his side about
on line with his head and exclaimed: "Oh
Swan! Can't you stop this?' And again :
'.Oh SWAIN
| then saw him looking at me with q star
ing expression. asked him if he was suffer-
ing much pain. Receiving no answer |
repeated the question with like result. l
then concluded that he was either dying or
having a severe spasm, and called to Daniel
to tell DIR. Bliss and Mrs. Garfield to come in
Immediately and glanced at a small clock
hanging on a chandelier and saw that it was
ten minutes past ten. When the light shone
full upon his face ! saw he was dying. When
DIR. Bliss came in moment after, said |;
doctor, have you any stmulants? He seems
to be dying" He took hold of his wrist as
if feeling for the pulse, and said; ''tie is
dying
| l then said to Daniel. run and arouse the
house. At that moment Col. Rockwell
came. When DIR. said: LET US rub his
limbs" which we did. In very few mo-
ments Mrs. Garfield came in and said: "What
does this mean?' And a moment after ex-
claimed: "Oh why am l made to suffer this
cruel wrong!' At 1926 the sacrifice was
completed, and he breathed his last calmly
and peaceably.