Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-07-11
A SORROWFUL FOURTH
President Garfield Had Jist Been
Shot by Charles Jules eiteau Two
Days Before in Washington.

Shot by Charles Jules citeau Two
Days Before in Washington.
From The World OF Friday.
No Fourth Of July was ever more
sorrowful than that Of 1881, which oc-
cured just two days after the tragic
shooting Of President James A. Gar
field in the Potomac station
at Washington, by Charles jules
Giteau. Giteau. it will be remember
ed, was a disappointed Office seeker
and In. a frenzy Of rage took this
opportunity to assassinate one Of the
greatest presidents the United States
ever had.
James A. Garfield, together with a
number Of the members Of his cabinet,
were just starting on a little trip,
which was to have been the beginning
Of Mr.. Garfeld's summer vacation. He
had been asked to deliver the com
mencement day address at his alma
mater, Williams college President
Garfield and Secretary James G.
Blaine drove to the station in 4 car
rage and without the protection
which is now afforded president.
They arrived at the station ten min
utes before the train left and the two
men walked leisurely into the ladies'
4 sff fsrxx A. mr. n
without a moments warning, Giteau
fred the first shot, which cut Mr..
Garfeld's clothing, but inflicted no
wound This was Immediately follow
ed by a second shot which hit the
president below the third rib. He turn
ed Blaine, but before he could utter
a word he sank to the floor mortally
wounded. Blaine's first thought was to
seize the assassin but when he turned
to do this he found Gitean already in
the hands of officers and Immediately
turned his attention to President Gar
field. There were several intimate
friends of Garfield's at the station and
they were Immediately notified and
every effort was made to help the
president. He was removed to the
White House in an ambulance and
then followed the days of sorrow and
waiting such as the country has sell
dom known. He fingered between life
and death until September 10, when
be died at Erberton, N. j., to which
place he had been removed with the
hope of prolonging his life.
President Garf1eld's heroic and man
ly bearing during this fearful ordeal
has gone down in history as typical
incident of Garfeld's valo". During
the two months and half that he was
on his death bed he never 'ttereo
a complaint or regret. Political foes
as well as friends united in praise for
this beloved martyred president.
James Garfield was the twentieth
president of the United States. He
was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio,
on November 3, 1881. AS boy he had
few educational advantages, but
through his own industry accummu
lated sufficient money to secure col
lege course. He was graduated from
Williams college in 1856 with high
honors. He became a teacher OF
classic languages at Hiram college
and at the age OF 26 was its president.
He studied law and in 1859 entered
politics as. a state senator in Ohio.
When the war broke out be entered
the army at Colorado and in the fol-
lowing year was promoted to brig
adier,general His war record is a mat
ter of national pride and at the end
Of the war he was honored by an
election to the United States congress
and served continuously until he was
elected to the United States senate
in 1880 The following June he was
dominated by the republican party
Tor president and was eventually
elected over Hancock by a large ma
jority His assassination occurred four
months after his Inauguration as pres
ident ands upon his death his vice
president, Chester A. Arthur, succeed
ed to the chair. tiI5}lr efts7