Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-16
GENERAL GARFIELD's MOTHER
On Visit 30 Her Son in Michigan
correspondence Conversation
with Her.

AilacGukee (Wis.) Republican, Sentinel - -
Mary Eliza Garfield, the idolized
mother of the late President, has been
visiting her son, Thomas Garfield, who
resides at Jamestown, Michigan. The
residence Of Thomas Garfield is situated
two miles east of the village, and is a
neat, modest-appearing structure. Your
correspondent was ushered into the
family circle, consisting of Mrs. Eliza
Garfield, Mr.. Thomas Garfield, her son,
Mrs. Larabee, a sister of the late Presi-
dent, and the children of Mr.. Thomas
Garfield. The venerable lady seemed to
be aware that the visit was intended for
her, and arose and greeted me very
cordially. In her trim, old-fashioned
attire and motherly-looking face,
the little woman seemed more
than deserving OF all the en-.
comiums that have been heaped upon
the mother of the nation martyr Presi-
dent. She is small in stature, but not
withstanding her extreme old age, now
being in her eighty first year, seems as
spry as though she were many years
Younger. In the course OF the converse
tion she happened to take up a paper
lying close by and it certainly was re.
| markable to hear her read easily and
correctly without using glasses. She
seems to know that her visitors go to see
"Gartie.d's mother" and of him she is
| continually thinking and talking. Her
eyes seem to beam brighter than usual
and her face lightens up with a peculiar
ly interesting CLEAN, when she recalls
some little incident of her great sons
youth. At times, again, tear will in
voluntarily spring to her eyes as she re-
verts to some sadder incident of his life.
But his entire career, from boyhood to
the grave, IS a clearly written page to
her.
81 remember, she said, chow exceed
ingly tired both James and became of
the Presidential campaign. feared for
his health as the strain upon him was
continuous Night and day he was busy
receiving guests and debating letters
knew that James was strong both in
constitution and in character, but felt
uneasy for him during the entire cam
paign. For several days in succession,
parties representing many industries
would call upon him in quick succession,
but he never seemed to tire. Our quiet
Mentor home was changed considerably.
l often reprlmanded him for not
taking some rest. Sometimes he'd
reply that he would in a day or
two, but other parties were con-
tinually arriving, and he seemed to be as
eager to give them cordial reception as
those that had just left" OF Mrs. Gar
field she spoke with tears trickling down
her deeply furrowed cheeks. 'She is
one Of the noblest of Americas women"
said she. "You should know what sac
rifices the poor girl was compelled to
make, what sorrows she was forced TO
undergo, to appreciate her firmness and
noble character She is living at Mentor
now, and is improved considerably in
health during the past few weeks" The
little lady, overcome by the thoughts of
her daughters suderings, wept like
child, and it was only after some time
had elapsed that she could continue the
conversation.
After time she again began talking
of her son, telling incident after incl
dent. Her fund of recOllections was end
less After telling of some boyish act of
his, which seemed to her to foreshadow
the vastness of his intellect, she said:
Zone thing in particular I remember
happening during the campaign. James
had been talked to by party of Ger
mans, and, as was the case very often,
he had conversed with them in their own
native tongue. l was seated at window
near by, and had heard them talking. In
going out several of the party passed by
me and began to converse in German
with me, imagining from my sons
familiarity with the language that we
were Germans l soon undeceived them,
and was gracious enough to tell them
that the only German knew was the
word 'yaw. The old lady seemed
pleased at the recollection and enioyed
hearty laugh.
Concerning Guiteau she talked very
little, but felt that his death was but
just. GA person who takes another
mans life must suffer to have his life
taken. For the sake of the example l
deem his death right and Just" For
President Arthur she has many kind
word to say. He came into his present
position under peculiar circumstances,
but she believed he had done very well
so far.
The mother seems very Justly proud
of her martyr son, and is tireless
in her expressions of praise for him.
She talks freely, and every now and then
has kind word to say for her other
children. To Thomas, her eldest boy,
now go years of age, she pays more than
ordinary Difference. The latter, when
ever she stops for word, helps her out
and while she was having her cry over,
Mr. Garfield took the opportunity to tell
of his brothers boyhood. How he had
often carried him to the little school
house on his shoulders, and how through
life he had watched his progress, and
felt proud to call him brother.
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