The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-07-23
WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT.


In presenting to our readers the portrait of the
first lady in the land, it is source of the most
profound sorrow to US, it is to the whole civil
lied world, that the sunshine has been sud
denly stricken out of her life by the hand of an
assassin, and that, too, while she seemed stand
ing on the threshold of one of the most glOrio us
futures known to her sex on this wide Continent,
Although dire the calamity which has just be-
fallen her and the Nation, and though terrible
the ordeal through which she is now passing,
they do not involve all her claims upon our SYM
pathy. AS noble and self-sac riicing wife, a
fond and affectionate mother, and kind and un-
wavering friend, she stands out in bold relief
also, eliciting that unteigned admiration and
heartfelt respect accorded SO generally to the
pure and the good who may have attained TO
high position in any relation whatever.
Mrs. Garfield. whose maiden name was Lucretia
Rudolph was born Hiram, Portage County,
Ohio, in 1887. She the daughter of a respecta-
BILE farmer who had sufficient means to afford her
an excellent education, and whose surroundings
indicated love of refinement not generally OBJ
servable among the sparse population of the place.
From her childhood she was thoughtful, amiable
and industrious; and as she grew in years her in
tellectual bias became marked, and its fruits so
promising. that all her friends and family enter
tanned, without hesitation, the bright hopes that
have long since, been more than realized.
In 1858, Miss Rudolph. who had been studying
at the Academy in which President Garfield was
then Professor, became the wife OF the latter
neither party was overburdened with wealth.
They had. however, what was better and more
enduring-brave, sturdy and honest hearts, sus-
tanned by spirit of truth and love. well as by
the supporting arm of a liberal education. From
the moment tn I the nuptial knot was tied, Mrs.
Garfield set about the business of life more
seriously than ever, could such have been posi-
| ble and at once began wreathing with flowers the
| yoke she had assumed with such purity and af-
fCatin of Ctr war
| their means, she made their first new home
| one of sunshine and love. And when a young
| she commenced that course of fireside education
and training which has proved so eminently sue
cessful all the world over-that system OF
maternal culture and care to which some of even
| the greatest minds of the age have freely con-
| fessed their Indebtedness. Nor was she a help
| mate to her noole partner in one or two relations
| only; for, from time to time If report speaks
| truly, it was his habit in any circumstances OF
difficulty. to draw upon her intellectual resources
and unfailing clear-sightesness. Obviously,
| therefore, they were one in all that es-
/ sental to human happiness; and hence the ever
deepening love and affection which has character
| lied their lives up to the present hour.
1t will not, then, be difficult to conceive of her
dismay and anguish when, on Saturday the I'd
| day of this current month, the intelligence
| her husband, wounded, but mot danger
ously" by an assassin while entering the depot OF
| the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad at Washing
| ton. A few moments previously, delicate as was
her health her face had been radiant with joy
| for on that day she was 20 have Joined the Presi
| dent with their children in New York, and pro
| ceed thence with him and some gentlemen OF higf
official position, to pay visit to several points Of
interest East, and make a voyage along the
| coast of Maine as far as Mount Desert Island. In
| an instant the cup was dashed from her lips. and
notwithstanding that the telegram conveying the
| dire intelligence was couched in language the
| most cautious and considerate, yet, with In
stinct not 20 be bafied by the guarded expressions
of friends, she felt that some frghtful calamity
| had befallen her and her family; and instantly
flew theYings of affection to the bedside of the
illustrious sufferer. The journey, although per
| formed with almost the speed of the wind, was tt
| her all but interminabe; yet it came to a close
and at last she found herself bending in agon.
filled with despair over the sharer OF her early
one of the mightiest Nations OH earth. From tina
| hour the subtle influence of her voice and pres
ence seems to have supplemented the wondrou
alchemy of the physicians in attendance which
had already wrought miracles. There is no dc
nying it. there are anodynes beyond the scope o
| mere physics and which transcend all the critica
acumen of the most profound medical skill
And although no metaphysical power can per
form "a physical impossibiity,' 'or ''set to leg q
an arm" as Falstaf has it, yet there is, alleged
| that about it which sometimes enables us to bea
the loss of the one or the other, and which pos
sbly prevents any fatal result from the depriva
| ton we have suffered.
Let us hope then that, in the case of the Presi
dent, the undoubted medical and surgical skill o
the distinguished gentlemen who now watch S,
faithfully and ably over his life. may be supple
mented to the happiest consummation by th
| mysterious magnetic influences born of the low
and affection of his tender and loyal wife, as vel
| as of THE prayers and sympathy of all civilize,
| peoples. Surely such truth and loyalty as her
should be crowned by the restoration to heaitl
and strength of him who is so worthy of her. an
very jaws of DEATH For now. after all this fright
] full alienation between bitter agony and tremt