The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-31

Death Of Garfield Cfrcumstantialiy
Forctoid- Strange story of Ccve'
Hard MAN.

l have just unearthed chapter IN the
Garfield tragedy which reads like ro-
nance. II Is no romance, however, Dut
cold, unauthorized facts.
In quiet street along the lakeside, IN
this city, resides remarkable man-onc
about whom there is IN air OF mystery
which so far has bafflcd official scrutiny.
lie impresses one with his learning, his IN
timatc mountaineering with affairs OF State
in foreign countries, and his knowledge OF
politics, men, and measures oil this nation.
The bare assertion, unsupported by the
| incidents | am about 10 relate, that this In
| teresting man forctold the assassination OF
President Garfield wceks-ayc, months
before the net was done. would make no
impression on the reader; for "cranks =
predictions are as thick as blackberries.
But this prediction is well known to at
least two influential men in this city-one OF
them holding position OF honor and trust
| in the municipal government, the other an
officer Of the Federal Government.
The "man with a vision" has been a
resident Of Cleveland for several years, emf
4 erating to this place from Jesuit college
/ i'm Georgetown, ID. {.
Last July a year ago nc first came TO the
notice Of certain officials here. These gen.
4 tiemen up 10 the present timc-when the
awful calamity is n thing OF the past, ana
the minutest details OF the assassination oil
! President Garfield coTOborate just what
had been forctold-arc astounded, and
/ know not what to think. The sober Sec
ond thought, the early training and oduca-
ton of these gentlemen, were all against
| the theory that this singular man knew that
fbc assassination would take place; but
they are confronted with the cold facts
they saw the terrible tragedy unraycl itself
as predicted by him. and they stand aShast
at what they cannot fully comprehend.
One afternoon about O'Clock, at the
! time stated above, this man called ut the
private Office of one OF the gentlemen
mentioned. The other official was sent for,
and the interview was had.
The Seer" for by this name he will be
distinguished in this article, in obedience
I 10 an implied promise that his identity
| should not he revealed, began his business
| by remarkable statement, to the effect
/ that the Powers of Europe, with the
execution OF two Governments, were in
league against the perpctuity OF the
! American Republic, and that there were
Vaccinations then on foot 10 destroy our
republican institutions, and plant upon
! It's ruins d monarchy. This sounded like
| the rawlings Of diStempered imagination,
and these cool-hCaded businessmen con-
cludcd that their visitor was DAFT. He con-
WINGED them, however, that there was at
least method in his madness by taking
from his rocket a bundle OF letters from
foreign ministers. among them being Il
number from Prince Bismarck. The let
ters were in German, and rs neither OF the
Seei's auditors could read The language,
they were not read at that time. The man
ken, on, and finally 10y his reasoning, the
power Of his eloQuence, and bis earnest
ness. so impressed them that they became
convinced that there should be some heed
taken OF his utteranccs.
This, remember, was during the presi-
dental campaign.
"What can we doI" was asked by the
attentive listeners TO this visionary. "What
is necessary to bc done! You are certain
Garfield will be elected President, and you
are lust rs certain he will be murdered >
said they; NOV what do YOU advise Us to
dofV
"Giye me-" said lac, "a letter or note
to Mr. Garfield. You, gentlemen, are both
acquainted with him. You are his init
mllc friends. Write me letter which !
may take with me and will do the rest.
This was the substance Of his reply.
The note to Garfield was written almost
unHer protest. and ran something like this
"rhe bearer has a matter Of Il remarkable
tenor 20 communicate TO you. Give him a
hearing"
The Seer departed from the Office salts
fed. and at once made preparation for his
Journey to Mentor 20 hold an interview
with Garfield.
Artcr he had left the Office, one OF these
gcnOemcn-a man, by the way, well known
I'm Cleveland, the holder OF an important
Government position, and one whose name,
II given here, would be recognized all over
the eAtc-was 50 impressed with the sim
c,,lar irtcrYicN-Was 20 convinced that the
lnan would 90 20 Mentor on his ,elI-impu,ed
mission-ihat he became alarmed. lie
thought to himself (and he has since given
cXIression 10 tie thought that it would be
wrong for him TO send the man TO Mentor,
ia The home or Garfield, with the unccr-
taiuiy rs 80 what were his intentions him.
self toward Garfield.
Tic didn't know but that his visitor was
murderous crank, who made the predic-
;icu aud then intended to Kill his victim TO
make sure tha; such prediction would be
verified.
The more ne thought about il the frner
he became convinced that it was his duty
to 20 to Mentor himself and warn Garfield
of Che proposed visit.
The whole circumstance was related TO
Garfield. He was told Of the strange pre-
diction, the trustwclthiness of the man
who made il, his earnestness, his eloquence,
/ and Iis determination TO come to Mentor
on this business.
Garfield listened attcntiyely, but showed
no signs OF fear or trepdaton. The mar
rativc, however. made marked impression
upon his mind, and he told his Cleveland
/ friend that he had had warnings a few days
previous that his life was in danger.
One OF these warnings came from man
who travelled all the way from New York
| city for the express purpose OF putting him
Oh his guard. Another one came from
/ Boston. A man from that city visited
Mentor and asked Garfield during the
course OF his conversation which cnsued
what room he slept in at night.
"Right there" said Garfield, "on the
| grOund-ilOor, next to the p0rtico.'
"For Gods sake, General Garfield" said
the man, edo not sleep there any more.
Your life is in danger. Occupy the most
obscure room in this house; for | tell YOU
an attempt will be made upon your life."
As a matter OF fact, well attestcd Ivy the
members Of the Garfield household at that
time, General Garfield needed that warning
and moved his bed to an upper tloor-not
the night immediately following, but the
change was made soon after; and this room
he occupied until after his election to the
presidency and his removal to Washington
the following March.
So when the Cleveland friend took him
the tidings OF this prediction he was the
more impressed with it. The friend re-
manned at Mentor until l O'Clock in the
morning, and then rode back to Cleveland,
making the return trip in little over two