Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-30
81 WILL TAKE THAT CHANCE ~

lowed Sunday by encouraging reports In every
shurch that day, without respect TO creed or color
prayers were offered for the recovery OF the
stricken President, and with prayer came conf
Ience that he would live. Monday mornings
reports were hopeful In tone. Then appeared the
-ir5t OF the long series of "ofieia bulletina'
Announcements or bulletins were constantly sent
iorth from the sick-room, Saturday and Sunday,
but not till Monday morning did they take any
official form, attested by signature. Then the
composition OF the medical corps, that was TO
oegin long vigil with the President, was deter
mined upon. The bulletin that was issued was
signed by Drs. Bliss, Barnes, Woodward, Reyburn,
Hamilton and Agnew. The two latter gentlemen
mad been selected as consulting physicians anu
Summoned,-Dr. Hamilton from New York ana
Dr. Agnew from Philadelphia. After that bulletins
were issued regularly twice or thrice a day. How
the people used to read and read again these bit
OF paper lacked up on tree in front OF the White
House grounds In busy offices or business houses
messengers would be deputed to get copies OF the
bulletins when issued.
THE BULLETINS
formed the chief reading OF the times "Have you
read the noon bulletin" was the common inquiry
on the street By telephone, or by messenger, the
contents OF the buetin were carried to every
quarter OF the city, and in every public place, and
at every corner drug store duplicates of the bulle
tins were displayed almost as soon as they were
signed BY the physicians In distant cities,
whittier these bulletins were sent instantly, II all
other Geographic business had to be delayed, the
scenes witnessed here were repeated. How
familiar the words of the bulletin becamel
"Pulse," Temperature" and respiration" were
adopted as words Of every day use. Meanwhile
messages of sympathy had come from every quar-
ter OF the world. from throned monarchs, as well
as those In humble station. Secretary Blaine,
having replied TO many OF those messages, on
Monday, when the gloom seemed to be passing
away, gave out the following for publication:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON. July 4. IL p. m.
On behalf Of the President ind Mrs. Garfield. de-
Gus messazes Of condolences and affection which have
eyerv sa ia nce Saturday TosnnF From
as from the north, have come messages Of anxious in
that it has been found impossible to answer them in de-
a ask the % to for the
they the Of IT he aseR
JAMES q. BLAINE. Secretary OF State.
On that day, also, Vice President Arthur, who
had come from New York, called at the White
House and gave expression to Mrs. Garfield of his
sincere sympathy.
There was an unfavorable change in the Presl-
dents condition that evening, but the next morn
ing's bulletins were re assuring. From that time
until the 18th the reports from the sick room were
there having been some discussion as to what
should be done with the Presidents assailant, who
letter to the district attorney in which they said
I'VE would that up to the present time he has
ero We 19r one who has rcsyed SO dan
3ur1es may not terminate fatally"
In consequence of this letter the grand Jury
which had been held I'm session with the view OF
taking some action In the case was discharged
Then followed days in which the hopeful tndica-
tons seemed to predominant In the bulletins,
though there were relapses noted in the evenings,
which were watched with many forebodings. On
the 23i the public was first made familiar with
the
WORD "RIGoR" IN THE BULLETINS,
ana IL created much uneaSlneSs. On the follow
ing DAY Sunday the rigor was traced to impriS-
oned puS, and the President was relieved by
sNillful operation by Dr. Agnew, who made an
1ncision into the track of the wound and freed the
pus, that was the immediate cause OF the bad
symptoms. Then the reports were invariably
favorable Until August 9Th, when another rigor
was reported and another operation followed
The President then seemed to rally again, but on
the 10Th had relapse, which caused great anx-
iety. His condition was pronounced critical On
the 18TH the swelling OF the parotid gland was
Dulletined as an alarming symptom. The reports
varied In their character until the oath, when an
operation was performed on the gland, without
apparently, any satisfactory results For several
weeks the public had been almost confident that
the President would recover, but now hope seemed
TO have ned The tagging interest In the bull
mourDful eagernesS
On Sunday, the 18th, the bulletins and the mn.
omclal reports from the sick room brought cheer
ing news, and the old hopeful state OF mind re-
turned in part, at least, to the public Still after
the public got knowledge Of the havoc that pain
strength-asft did when the reports concerning
the parotid swelling were put out-nonc asserted
with any degree OF confidence any hope of re-
coyery.
THE JOURNEY TO ELBERoN.
proposition, made some days before, to re-
move the President to Eberon, was carried into
execution on the 9th Of September. The scenes
attending the journey gave evidence OF the deep
sympathy of the nation with the stricken sufferer
In order that the journey might be accomplished
with as little discomfort to the patient as pos
sible temporary track was laid on 9Th street.
so that the Presidents car could be brought
up To Pennsylvania avenue. At street crossings,
where the wagon in which the sick man was
TO be carried had to pass over Car tracks, thick
layers OF saWduSt were spread so as to make
the passage as easy as possible. The departure
from the White House was made at half-past
upon mattress, which was lifted into a large ex-
press wagon Attended by faithful watchers the
wagon proceeded slowly to the depot Though the
urge number Of people witnessed this sad
scene. The people, by one accord, kept at A
distance from the wagon lest their pres
ence might De annoying to the sufferer
At the depot the President was transferrei to a
car wherein bed had been specially arranged for
which the Presidents attendants and the mem
berS Of his family role The train left the city at
$50 O'clock. Every mile OF its progress was
watched anxfOusly by the nation. At every sta
tlon IL was met by crowds OF anxious people and
such reports as could b. obtained from the train
were teiegraphed over the continent. The train
reached Its destination few minutes after one
O'Clock. AT Elberon temporary track had been
laid for long distance, so that the train was
drawn almost to the door OF Francklyn cottage
which had been placed at the disposal OF the Pres
dent That day had been set apart by Common
agreement throughout the country as q dsy OF
prayer, and the telegraphc reports from the train
were read In the churches of the land between the
prayers that were feryenrly offered. -
THE FIRST NEWS IRON HEBRON ,.Es .
YVES of a most cheering character, and il seemed
IS though the prayers OF the people had been
answered. The Presidents strength seemed To
mend under the invigorafing influence OF tie sea
breezes, and on the 18th the public took much en-
enlargement from the announcement that the
President that day sat up for short time In an
tnvalid's chair. On the 18th, however It was
shown that such hopes were l,roundless The
President then appeared to be sinking fast. On
the nth rigors appeared, and the physicians be-
gan TO show the anxiety which they had lone
studied to conceal. The news OF the 18th Wa
still more alarming The 18th was q day OF
feverish excitement. The very absence of news
OF reliable or satisfactory nature from the Sick