Smyrna times., 1931-09-23

TO look Dack over ltS nleS and tell
what happened around the correspond
ing date of this issue. a half century
ago. We hope to make this a regular
weekly feature. If it does nothing else,
it will call to mind people and events
of that day that should be interesting
to the present generation. We hope
our readers will find it interesting and
that it will make the Times more eag-
eyly sought aEd read-Editor.)
Death of President Garfield:-
After one of the most heroic strug
giles for life, sustained by tn
prayers of millions in this ant
other lands that he might be vic
torius in the desperate battle
James A. Garfield, twentieth Presi
dent of the United States, died al
Elberon, near Long Branch, Mon.
day night, whittier he was removed
from Washington on the 9th, from
wounds received on Saturday the
End of July at the hands of the as
sassin, Charles j. Guiteau. Every
thing had been done by an idoliz-
ing people that could be done; the
work of the assassin's bullet SEEM
ed destined to do its fatal work.
He fell with the robes of office vet
new upon him less than seven
months from the day when amid
the salvos of cannon and the ap-
plause of thousands of his fellow
citizens he took the oath Of office
as chief magistrate of this great
Republic. No man was ever in
Quoted into Office in this country
with more hearty applause, or in
so short time had won the con
fidence Of the people. 1t was not
his abilities alone that SO challeng-
ed the admiration of the people,
though they were acknowledged to
be great, but it was his manly
character, his affection for his
family and his devotion to the in
terest of the American people in
their broadest and most national
aspect. Great things were hoped
for in his administration, which
had in a few weeks shown such a
vigor as To alarm political place
men, and he lies today a martyr to
reform in our Civil Service in the
same sense that Abraham Lincoln
was sacrificed on the altar Of sec
tional strife. But the circumstance
es make it a more terrible thing.
When Lincoln was SO cruelty as
sassinated in April, 1865, there was
a mighty ground swell of passion,
and blood and carnage, which had
prepared mems minds for desper-
ate deeds. The bloody act of
Wilkes Booth was only another
chapter in the scene of strife.
President Garfield was a man Of
peace, and his kindliness had been
appreciated and was warming Up
the hearts Of all sections. Guiteau
acknowledged himself that he was
not actuated by personal feeling
but to change the administration in
the interest of office and he has
done by the bullet what it required
the whole American people under
the forms Of the constitution to do
with the ballot. The framework
of our government is too strong to
be disturbed by any such shocks as
this, but in the person of our la
mented president the people have
undoubtedly sustained a great loss.
The American people have an in
stinctive liking and admiration for
the. homely fireside virtues, and in
the simplicity Of his home life at
Mentor, his. devotion to his mother,
and to his wife and children, he
was the representative of our
strongest type of the American
citizen, that with the virtuous will
never fail of appreciation. The
people mourn for the man as well
as for the President and from one
end Of the country to the other
there is unaffected sorrow.
The Middletown Fair commenc-
ed yesterday, we learn, auspicious-
ly. The attendance was not large
and never is one the first day, but
the exhibits are said to be much
better than they were last year and
the trotting animated. Mrs. Pres
ley Spruance and several other of
our ladies have articles on exhibi-
tion. Herman Roe has a specimen
of penmanship which is said to be
very fine. David L. Spruance of
the Middle Alley, raised canta-
loupe which is also on exhibition at
the Middletown Fair. It measures
81 1-2 by SO inches and weighs IS
pounds.
Deaths HAZEL. September 10,
at Clayton, Frank, twin son of
Herman P. and Addie P HAZEL,
aged 6 months.
Evans. September 9Th, in Ray
mond's Neck, Jennie, daughter of
Alexander and Sarah E. Evans,
aged 2 years.
Reese. September 9th near Clay
ton, Scott, son of David and Mary
Reese, aged 2 years.