Details
[GARFIELD, James A.] Collection of 6 autograph notes and 1 letter signed of Henry Clarke Corbin (the first a letter signed), A.F. Rockmere, G. Brock and an unknown correspondent, to Major Bickham, David G. Swaim, the Superintendant of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Lucretia Garfield, recording the hours immediately after Garfield's assassination, [Washington, D.C., 2 July 1881]. Together 9 pages, 8vo (8 x 6 in.), on rectos only, all but the first in pencil, old tape repairs and stains, chipping to edges, some split along folds and with chips affecting text.
"THE PRESIDENT SHOT..."--"COME QUICK..."--"HE SENDS HIS LOVE TO YOU"
The present collection comprises a series of telegrams handed to James Jackson Given II, chief telegrapher with the railroad in Washington, D.C., immediately after President Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau on 2 July 1881. Henry Clarke Corbin (1842-1909), commander of the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War, was serving as Assistant Adjutant General at the time of Garfield's assassination. Endeavoring the report the news as quickly as possible, he wrote hurried notes which he handed to the telegrapher. To Maj. Bickham in Dayton, Ohio, he writes: "The President shot, seriously but not fatally hurt." In two notes, he writes to General David Swaim, Garfield's chief of staff: "Come quick -- serious but I don't think fatal" and "I have asked the Penna RR to have special for you at Jersey City." He informs the Pennsylvania Railroad: "Mrs. Garfield left Long Branch this morning with Gen. Swaim en route for Jersey City to join the President who has been shot -- please find Mrs. Garfield and Swaim and get them special & have them here at the earliest possible moment." In a separate note, A.F. Rockmere writes to the First Lady: "The President wishes me to say to you from him that he has been seriously hurt, how seriously he cannot say. That he is entirely himself, and hopes you will come to him soon. He sends his love to you." G. Brock, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, writes to an unnamed recipient: "Did you notice any one or two men getting off the train between here and New York or other points if so please give description." The final telegraph in the sequence reveals the assassin: "Charles Guiteau of Ills. is the mans name."
Garfield was waiting for a train to take him to New England when he was shot by Charles Guiteau. He was wounded twice: one shot grazed his right arm causing no permanent damage, the second entered his lower back. Washington, D.C. policeman Patrick Kearney rushed into the station at the first sound of gunfire and apprehended Guiteau immediately. Garfield's health fluctuated throughout the summer until he finally succumbed to his wounds on the 19th of September. Guiteau faced trial and was hanged the following year.
"THE PRESIDENT SHOT..."--"COME QUICK..."--"HE SENDS HIS LOVE TO YOU"
The present collection comprises a series of telegrams handed to James Jackson Given II, chief telegrapher with the railroad in Washington, D.C., immediately after President Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau on 2 July 1881. Henry Clarke Corbin (1842-1909), commander of the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War, was serving as Assistant Adjutant General at the time of Garfield's assassination. Endeavoring the report the news as quickly as possible, he wrote hurried notes which he handed to the telegrapher. To Maj. Bickham in Dayton, Ohio, he writes: "The President shot, seriously but not fatally hurt." In two notes, he writes to General David Swaim, Garfield's chief of staff: "Come quick -- serious but I don't think fatal" and "I have asked the Penna RR to have special for you at Jersey City." He informs the Pennsylvania Railroad: "Mrs. Garfield left Long Branch this morning with Gen. Swaim en route for Jersey City to join the President who has been shot -- please find Mrs. Garfield and Swaim and get them special & have them here at the earliest possible moment." In a separate note, A.F. Rockmere writes to the First Lady: "The President wishes me to say to you from him that he has been seriously hurt, how seriously he cannot say. That he is entirely himself, and hopes you will come to him soon. He sends his love to you." G. Brock, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, writes to an unnamed recipient: "Did you notice any one or two men getting off the train between here and New York or other points if so please give description." The final telegraph in the sequence reveals the assassin: "Charles Guiteau of Ills. is the mans name."
Garfield was waiting for a train to take him to New England when he was shot by Charles Guiteau. He was wounded twice: one shot grazed his right arm causing no permanent damage, the second entered his lower back. Washington, D.C. policeman Patrick Kearney rushed into the station at the first sound of gunfire and apprehended Guiteau immediately. Garfield's health fluctuated throughout the summer until he finally succumbed to his wounds on the 19th of September. Guiteau faced trial and was hanged the following year.