Destiny of the Republic Part 23

31 "Throughout his long illness": Rockwell, "From Mentor to Elberon." "Throughout his long illness": Rockwell, "From Mentor to Elberon."

32 When Bliss told him that a fund: The fund had been started by Cyrus W. Field, an American financier who helped found the Atlantic Telegraph Company, the first company to attempt to lay a telegraph cable across the Atlantic. The fund for Lucretia eventually reached $350,000. She used it not only to live on and to send her children to college, but to help establish Garfield's library, the first presidential library, in their home in Mentor. When Bliss told him that a fund: The fund had been started by Cyrus W. Field, an American financier who helped found the Atlantic Telegraph Company, the first company to attempt to lay a telegraph cable across the Atlantic. The fund for Lucretia eventually reached $350,000. She used it not only to live on and to send her children to college, but to help establish Garfield's library, the first presidential library, in their home in Mentor.

33 "What?": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 301. "What?": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 301.

34 "Doctor, you plainly show": Ibid., 303. "Doctor, you plainly show": Ibid., 303.

35 "from a labor and responsibility": Medical Bulletin, September 8, 1881, 6:00 p.m. "from a labor and responsibility": Medical Bulletin, September 8, 1881, 6:00 p.m.

36 "clearer road to recovery": Quoted in Clark, "clearer road to recovery": Quoted in Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 107.

37 "Despite the announcements": Quoted in ibid., 98. "Despite the announcements": Quoted in ibid., 98.

38 "may live the day out": Peskin, "may live the day out": Peskin, Garfield Garfield, 606.

39 "Do you think my name": Ibid., 607. "Do you think my name": Ibid., 607.

40 Rockwell was again with Garfield: Ibid. Rockwell was again with Garfield: Ibid.

41 "Well, Swaim"; Reyburn, "Well, Swaim"; Reyburn, Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield, 95.

42 "wonderful productions": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 304. "wonderful productions": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 304.

43 Moments later, Lucretia: Ibid. Moments later, Lucretia: Ibid.

44 "hear the long, solemn roll": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101. "hear the long, solemn roll": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101.

45 "the witnesses of the last sad scene": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 304. "the witnesses of the last sad scene": Bliss, "The Story of President Garfield's Illness," 304.

46 "A faint, fluttering pulsation": Ibid. "A faint, fluttering pulsation": Ibid.

47 "All hearts," Bliss would write, "were stilled": Ibid. "All hearts," Bliss would write, "were stilled": Ibid.

48 "begged her to retire": Ibid., 305. "begged her to retire": Ibid., 305.

Chapter 22: All the Angels of the Universe

1 "Extra Republican!": Bell to Mabel Bell, September 19, 1881, Bell Family Papers. Bell began this letter to Mabel earlier in the evening of the 19th. As he was writing, it turned midnight, and soon after he heard the newsboy's cry, announcing Garfield's death. "Extra Republican!": Bell to Mabel Bell, September 19, 1881, Bell Family Papers. Bell began this letter to Mabel earlier in the evening of the 19th. As he was writing, it turned midnight, and soon after he heard the newsboy's cry, announcing Garfield's death.

2 "Please hunt in the study": Ibid. "Please hunt in the study": Ibid.

3 "How terrible it all is": Ibid. "How terrible it all is": Ibid.

4 "the final agony": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101. "the final agony": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101.

5 In the end, the autopsy: "The Result of the Autopsy," In the end, the autopsy: "The Result of the Autopsy," New York Times New York Times, September 21, 1881.

6 "The missile": Bliss et al., "Record of the Post-mortem Examination of the Body of President J. A. Garfield," 4. "The missile": Bliss et al., "Record of the Post-mortem Examination of the Body of President J. A. Garfield," 4.

7 "this long descending channel": Ibid. "this long descending channel": Ibid.

8 "no evidence that it had been penetrated": Ibid., 3. "no evidence that it had been penetrated": Ibid., 3.

9 Evidence of the proximate cause: Ibid.; Author interview with Dr. David Lounsbury, June 29, 2010. Evidence of the proximate cause: Ibid.; Author interview with Dr. David Lounsbury, June 29, 2010.

10 "The initial point of this septic condition": Reyburn, "The initial point of this septic condition": Reyburn, Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield, 97.

11 "irregular form": Bliss et al., "Record of the Post-mortem Examination of the Body of President J. A. Garfield," 5. "irregular form": Bliss et al., "Record of the Post-mortem Examination of the Body of President J. A. Garfield," 5.

12 This, they realized: "Official Bulletin of the Autopsy," 1. This, they realized: "Official Bulletin of the Autopsy," 1.

13 "slipped entirely through": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101. "slipped entirely through": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield," 101.

14 "I daren't ask him": Reeves, "I daren't ask him": Reeves, Gentleman Boss Gentleman Boss, 247.

15 "All the n.o.ble aspirations": Ibid., 244. "All the n.o.ble aspirations": Ibid., 244.

16 "the people and the politicians": Ibid., 245. "the people and the politicians": Ibid., 245.

17 "And so Garfield is really dead": Julia Sand to Chester Arthur, September 28, 1881, Chester Arthur Papers. "And so Garfield is really dead": Julia Sand to Chester Arthur, September 28, 1881, Chester Arthur Papers.

18 Garfield's body, which was returned: Ridpath, Garfield's body, which was returned: Ridpath, The Life and Work of James A. Garfield The Life and Work of James A. Garfield, 657.

19 "The whole city was draped in mourning": Mollie Garfield diary, September 29, 1881, quoted in Feis "The whole city was draped in mourning": Mollie Garfield diary, September 29, 1881, quoted in Feis, Molly Garfield in the White House, 101.

20 "in many respects": "Looking Upon the Dead," "in many respects": "Looking Upon the Dead," New York Times New York Times, September 23, 1881.

21 Only one man had no place: Rosenberg, Only one man had no place: Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 48.

22 More than a week earlier: More than a week earlier: United States v. Guiteau United States v. Guiteau, 599.

23 "a great big musket-bullet": After hitting the wall, the bullet was said to have been flattened into a nearly perfect likeness of Guiteau's profile. An enterprising man, R. A. Whitehand, made molds from the bullet and sold facsimiles, whose authenticity was certified by John Crocker, the warden of the District Jail, and by Guiteau himself. "a great big musket-bullet": After hitting the wall, the bullet was said to have been flattened into a nearly perfect likeness of Guiteau's profile. An enterprising man, R. A. Whitehand, made molds from the bullet and sold facsimiles, whose authenticity was certified by John Crocker, the warden of the District Jail, and by Guiteau himself.

24 Although he would later: There was an outcry against Mason's sentence, and a fund was established for his defense. Although he would later: There was an outcry against Mason's sentence, and a fund was established for his defense.

25 He was tired, he said: Clark, He was tired, he said: Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 107.

26 "There is an American judge": Rosenberg, "There is an American judge": Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 5052.

27 "Mama says he ought": Quoted in Feis "Mama says he ought": Quoted in Feis, Molly Garfield in the White House, 95.

28 "For this man Guiteau": "Gen. Sherman's Timely Counsel," "For this man Guiteau": "Gen. Sherman's Timely Counsel," New York Times New York Times, September 19, 1881.

29 "All a man would need": Rosenberg, "All a man would need": Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 98.

30 The legal standard for determining insanity: There is considerable disagreement about the spelling of M'Naghten's name. Richard Moran, who wrote what is likely the definitive book on the case- The legal standard for determining insanity: There is considerable disagreement about the spelling of M'Naghten's name. Richard Moran, who wrote what is likely the definitive book on the case-Knowing Right from Wrong-devotes several pages to a discussion of this controversy. His conclusion is that the correct spelling is "McNaughtan," and he makes a very compelling argument. However, the most common spelling is M'Naghten.

31 "gradual failure of heart's action": Moran, "gradual failure of heart's action": Moran, Knowing Right from Wrong Knowing Right from Wrong, 186.

32 "We have seen the trials": Quoted in ibid., 21. "We have seen the trials": Quoted in ibid., 21.

33 "at the time of the committing": Ibid., 2224. "at the time of the committing": Ibid., 2224.

34 In America, it became known: Clark, In America, it became known: Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 118.

35 In 1859, Congressman Daniel Edgar Sickles: Mitch.e.l.l, "The Man Who Murdered Garfield," 470. In 1859, Congressman Daniel Edgar Sickles: Mitch.e.l.l, "The Man Who Murdered Garfield," 470.

36 "I plead not guilty to the indictment": Clark, "I plead not guilty to the indictment": Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 116.

37 "Guiteau should have a fair trial": "Guiteau's Trial," "Guiteau should have a fair trial": "Guiteau's Trial," New York Times New York Times, November14, 1881.

38 "If I didn't think the unfortunate man was insane": Clark, "If I didn't think the unfortunate man was insane": Clark, The Murder of JamesA. Garfield The Murder of JamesA. Garfield, 117.

39 "I think he ought to be hung": Rosenberg, "I think he ought to be hung": Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 114.

40 It took three days: Ibid., 116. It took three days: Ibid., 116.

41 "for the first time in anyone's memory": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 3. "for the first time in anyone's memory": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 3.

42 The courtroom itself had been renovated: Ibid. The courtroom itself had been renovated: Ibid.

43 The rest were first come, first served: Clark, The rest were first come, first served: Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 12122.

44 Guiteau had planned to make: Ibid., 122. Guiteau had planned to make: Ibid., 122.

45 "General Garfield died from malpractice": Quoted in ibid., 12223. "General Garfield died from malpractice": Quoted in ibid., 12223.

46 "I deny the killing": "I deny the killing": United States v. Guiteau United States v. Guiteau, 226.

47 "Now, don't spoil the matter": Ibid., 1730. "Now, don't spoil the matter": Ibid., 1730.

48 "The rich men of New York": Ibid., 1110. "The rich men of New York": Ibid., 1110.

49 Finally, Scoville himself asked the court: Ibid., 163. Finally, Scoville himself asked the court: Ibid., 163.

50 "could not have been prevented": Ibid., 233031. "could not have been prevented": Ibid., 233031.

51 "All the links in the chain are there": Beard, "The Case of Guiteau," 22. "All the links in the chain are there": Beard, "The Case of Guiteau," 22.

52 Before the trial had ended: Rosenberg, Before the trial had ended: Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 7172.

53 "with his hereditary history": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 5. The psychiatrist George Beard, who was convinced that Guiteau was not only insane now, but had been since he was eighteen years old, would go even further. Those who knew Guiteau best, he said, and had failed to have him admitted to an asylum, were to blame for his actions. "On his friends rests the real responsibility for the a.s.sa.s.sination," Beard charged. "Mr. Scoville is the real murderer of President Garfield." "with his hereditary history": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 5. The psychiatrist George Beard, who was convinced that Guiteau was not only insane now, but had been since he was eighteen years old, would go even further. Those who knew Guiteau best, he said, and had failed to have him admitted to an asylum, were to blame for his actions. "On his friends rests the real responsibility for the a.s.sa.s.sination," Beard charged. "Mr. Scoville is the real murderer of President Garfield."

54 "Did you have any question": "Did you have any question": United States v. Guiteau United States v. Guiteau, 965.

55 "A man may become profoundly depraved": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 6. "A man may become profoundly depraved": Taylor, "a.s.sa.s.sin on Trial," 6.

56 "disease of the brain": "disease of the brain": United States v. Guiteau United States v. Guiteau, 1591.

57 "Hanging is too good for you": Rosenberg, "Hanging is too good for you": Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 50.

58 A farmer from Maryland tried: "A Shot at the a.s.sa.s.sin," A farmer from Maryland tried: "A Shot at the a.s.sa.s.sin," New York Times New York Times, November 21, 1881. Additional men had been a.s.signed to guard Guiteau, and he was moved to a different cell, but he grew increasingly nervous. He attempted to hide a knife, asked to be vaccinated as protection against infection that might reach him through the mail, and insisted on making another announcement in court. "I understand that there are one or two disreputable characters hanging around this court, intending to do me harm," he said, interrupting testimony about the gun he had used to shoot the president. "I want to notify all disreputable persons that if they attempt to injure me they will probably be shot dead by my body-guard.... There has been considerable loose talk on this subject this week, and I wish the public to understand it." to shoot the president. "I want to notify all disreputable persons that if they attempt to injure me they will probably be shot dead by my body-guard.... There has been considerable loose talk on this subject this week, and I wish the public to understand it."

59 "My blood be on the head": Rosenberg, "My blood be on the head": Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 223.

60 "I am willing to DIE": Quoted in ibid., 23334. "I am willing to DIE": Quoted in ibid., 23334.

61 "Whatever your impressions may be": John Guiteau to Charles Guiteau, June 20, 1882. "Whatever your impressions may be": John Guiteau to Charles Guiteau, June 20, 1882.

62 "The public have never had the facts": John Guiteau to Charles Guiteau, May 31, 1882. "The public have never had the facts": John Guiteau to Charles Guiteau, May 31, 1882.

63 "an audience before a decision": John Guiteau to Chester Arthur, June 23, 1882. "an audience before a decision": John Guiteau to Chester Arthur, June 23, 1882.

64 Arthur refused to see John: Clark, Arthur refused to see John: Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 141.

65 "no grounds to justify": "The President's Decision in Guiteau's Case," "no grounds to justify": "The President's Decision in Guiteau's Case," New York Herald New York Herald, June 25, 1882.

66 "Dear Madam: Humbly I address you": Frances Guiteau to Lucretia Garfield, February 12, 1882, quoted in unnamed newspaper found in the Hiram College Archives. "Dear Madam: Humbly I address you": Frances Guiteau to Lucretia Garfield, February 12, 1882, quoted in unnamed newspaper found in the Hiram College Archives.

67 When she could wait no longer: Mollie Garfield diary, June 29, 1882, quoted in Feis, When she could wait no longer: Mollie Garfield diary, June 29, 1882, quoted in Feis, Mollie Garfield in the White House Mollie Garfield in the White House, 107.

68 "dared to come": Ibid., 106. "dared to come": Ibid., 106.

69 By the day of his execution: Rosenberg, By the day of his execution: Rosenberg, The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau The Trial of the a.s.sa.s.sin Guiteau, 234n.

70 "I'm fully resigned": "A Great Tragedy Ended," "I'm fully resigned": "A Great Tragedy Ended," New York Times New York Times, July 1, 1882.

71 "With the events of the past year": "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882. "With the events of the past year": "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882.

72 After Crocker had finished: "Final Moments of Life," After Crocker had finished: "Final Moments of Life," Washington Post Washington Post, July 1, 1882; Fox, The Crime Avenged The Crime Avenged, 62.

73 A few minutes later, Hicks: "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882, Hiram College Archives. A few minutes later, Hicks: "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882, Hiram College Archives.

74 Twenty thousand people: "The Gallows Prepared," Twenty thousand people: "The Gallows Prepared," New York Times New York Times, June 30, 1882.

75 "I stubbed my toe": "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882, Hiram College Archives; "I stubbed my toe": "The Drop Falls," unnamed newspaper, "Special Dispatch to the Inquirer," June 30, 1882, Hiram College Archives; Alienist and Neurologist Alienist and Neurologist 4 (October 1882): 554. 4 (October 1882): 554.

76 "Except ye become": "Final Moments of Life," "Except ye become": "Final Moments of Life," Washington Post Washington Post, July 1, 1882.

Epilogue: Forever and Forever More