Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-07-05
the facts leaked ort, they were in high
dudgeon all around.

uUuXcOu al oIOuuu.
Mrs. Garfield's Narrow Escape.
1t seems that during the journey Of Mrs.
Garfield to Washington there was a very
narrow escape from what mishe have been
a fatal accident. The train that brought
Mrs. Garfield from Long Branch consisted
Of an engine and one Pullman car. When
within two miles OF Bowie, a small station
16 miles from Washington, the parallel rod
on the side of the engine broke while the
wheels were making at least $50 revolu-
tions minute. The rod is a steel bar
which connects the wheels, and is about 12
feet long, 6 inches wide, and four inches
thick. As the engine continued to thunder
along, although the engineer imme diately
reversed the steam and put ON the air.
brakes. the broken rod bounced with each
revolution of the wheels, tore up the ties
and considerably damaged that side OF the
engine. This continued for about two
miles before stop could be effected, so
great headway had been acquired. An
eve witness states that as the train flew by
the Bowie station the splinters Of the
shattered ties filled the air. Had the en-
gine left the track the Pullman car would
have been splintered into kindling wood
and all on board would have been killed.
Another engine was sent out from Wash
ingtm and Mrs. Gartield's car was
brought to the city. The accident de-
layed the arrival of the party about half
an hour. Railroad men say that it is
almost miracle that the engine did not
jump the track, and then all on board
would have been instantly killed.
'GOl Reisns.''
The following from the Philadelphia
60 L., 70 IL: al,
was recalled most effectively by Rev. Dr.
Mitchell. Of this city, in his sermon on
Sunday
There has been a good deal of mystitica-
ton in the public mind over i quotation
| IN one Of the Washington dispatches from
the presidents bedside to Mrs. Garfield :
"God reigns and the government at Wash
ington still lives" The phrase recalls one
of the most dramatic epochs of tho
nations life. 1t was the dreadful 18th
day Of April, 1865. A vast, tumultuous
and passionate crowd was gathered near
| the AstOr house, hoping that the fatal
news was not true. Butler attempted to
pacify the mob feeling that could be seen
| rising. Two unfortunate wretches had run
counter to the sentiment Of the mass by
ins;nuating that the deed was we'll done.
They We're instantly trampled to the SEM
blance of humanity. Then the crowd,
CHEATING in the first draught of blood,
shouted: "To the World Office - The
rush began and the resolt would have
been frightful. But at the moment Il flag
was seen in the hands Of y tall figure on
one of the balconies. The srrging crowd
was checked. They grouped about the
spot and then a peculiar voice, loud, clear
and measured like a parsons, broke out in
this astonishing apOstrOphe
" Fellow citizens! Clouds and darkness
are round about Him! His pavilion is
dark waters and thick clouds of the skies
Justice and Judgment are the establish
ment of His throne! Mercy and truth
shall go before His face! Fellow citizens.
Go:l reigns and the government ut Wash.
ingtOn still lives ~
The effect was infinitely beyond the mere
words. The half preacher. like tone of the
speaker, his large earnest eyes and Ell
raptured visage produced all indescribablt
effect upon the scething, passionate crowd
All thought of carnage vanished. Every
body said, who is he' IT, was James n
Garfield, and it was fit, indeed. that his
confidential friend should use the line il
telcgraphing the presidents calamity t,
his wife.