Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-09-23
Mrs. Garfield,

The movements of Mre. Garfield yesterday
were watched with inter's'. In the carly MON,
ing the remained at the residence CT Attorney
General MlcVesgb. ard 81 quiet was The house
and surroundings that few believed sho would
venture fsrb. At 10 'clcck, however. the Pres.
Ident's carriage drove up to the door. Albert, The
colored driver, sat % tho box, and the txpres.
sicn upon his counteuance deuoted that he had
been summoned for On important mission.
Hardly had the carriage wheels ceased to rum.
bic upon the pavement when tho door of the
mansion opened and Harry Garfield appeared.
The appearance of the latter was q signal for
tho ooschman, and he dismounted from his box
and threw the carriage door open. Immediate
ly Mrs. Garfield and Mrs. CJl. Rockwell de-.
scended. Mrs. Garfield Was alfred 10 tho
deepest mourning. Her steps were fsltering
and che bowed her head as she approached tho
carIiage. where the coachman stood hat 10 hand,
holding The door open. Her eyes we're tear
grief. Mrs Rock6ell was at her side. however,
and tenderly assisted her into the vehic'c
Mrs. Rockwell entered next. Both ladies'
occupied the back seat. Harry Garfield onter-
ed last, and sat with his back 10 the driver
The coachman mounted his box and was jast
gathering up the reirs when landau, oonlain
log Gen. Swain and Col. Rockwell. drove up.
They eaIuted the ladies', Ard when tho car
ringo containing the latter drove off tn,
gentlemen followed. Mrs. Garfield. inst afer
leaving Attorney General MaoVesgh's. pull
cd DIVA the curtains of the carriage and.
though tho Presidents carrisg, driving
through tho Streets attracted some at
tention, 90 ono imagined who its occupants
were. When The carriage and the landau
drove into the White House grounds the p>.
liceman Oh duty rt the gate removed bis nat
id srlu!ed respectfully aud watched tho party
riousy as they drove up to the por!ico. Ex-
capt Secretary Brown aud bis assistant. Mi
Pfuden, no one knew that Mrs. Garfield was
going to visit the mansion. because sic hid
said that she never intended 10 cross tho TIRES
hold again. Secretary Btogn. however. was 10
wailiog when the party drove W, standing hat
10 hand on the poriica. He assisted the ladies
to slight. Harry Garfield having preceded
them. stood talking With them on the per-
tioo until Joined by Colouel Rockwell sud
Ger. Swain. Tho party then started toward
the door through which tho late President had
been bOiae 80 tondcrly when leaving fer Long
Branch. aud IS her foot pressed the threshold
Mrs. Garfield bust into tosrs and tottered as
though abtu. to t.ll. Mrs. Rockwell. however.
supported The lacy by throwing her arm around
her wsist and passing slowly into the mansion,
through the cloak room and up The private
staircase. whero Mrs Garfield WAS shown to
her private apartments. She remained alone
for about ten minutes, and Rhen she rejoinod
her friends she Wcs calm again and sad. sweet
smile wreathed her features Mrs. Gar6eld's
visit to the White House was to give some di
| rec:ions corcsroing shipping personal effects of
her family to Ohio. and when she had done SO
she turned YEARLY to Mrs. Rockwell and said:
please Tx, me homo" B,fore the party
could leave. though, ell tho members of the
household then in the mar SIGN appeared snd TO
each Mrs. Garfield bade sad farewell. She
shook hands With esci separately and SO bravsly
and With suoh oalmncss that every heart Wis
touched to the core. There was not dry ego
10 all that gathering when the Presidents
widow descended the stairs. crossed tho PORTO,
AID re-entered her carrisge. sud wheu she Was
driven away all hesrtilg regralted that she had
left the mansion forever. Hash Pa