The tragic death of President James Garfield

Summary

This script recounts the tragic assassination of President James A. Garfield, a brilliant man born into poverty who rose to the presidency. Despite surviving the initial shooting, Garfield succumbed to infection due to the unsterilized practices of doctors who probed his wounds. The incident led to significant medical reforms and a national unity that bridged the post-Civil War divide. The assassin, Charles Guiteau, was executed, and his delusional belief that he would be celebrated for his act was shattered.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 Four U.S. Presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, William McKinley, and James A. Garfield.
• 🏛️ James A. Garfield's assassination is less well-known despite his extraordinary background and achievements.
• 📚 Garfield was born into poverty and worked his way up from janitor to college president, showcasing his brilliant mind.
• 🎓 He was a self-made man who put himself through college and became a professor of literature and ancient languages.
• 🔫 Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin, was a delusional and grandiose office-seeker who had failed at everything he tried.
• 🗓️ Guiteau believed he had a divine message to kill the president, leading to the shooting on July 2, 1881.
• 🚂 The assassination attempt took place at a train station, where Garfield was shot but not immediately killed.
• 🩺 The medical treatment Garfield received was inadequate, with unsterilized fingers and instruments used to probe his wounds.
• 🌐 The lack of belief in germ theory among American doctors at the time contributed to Garfield's eventual death from infection.
• 📡 Alexander Graham Bell's metal detector was used in an attempt to locate the bullet, but the effort was undermined by medical arrogance and misinformation.
• 🕊️ Garfield's death led to positive changes, including the acceptance of antiseptics, civil service reform, and a sense of national unity post-Civil War.
• ⚰️ Guiteau was executed for the assassination, and his last words highlighted the role of the doctors in Garfield's death.

Q & A

Which four US presidents have been assassinated?

Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, William McKinley, and James A. Garfield.

What is significant about James A. Garfield's background?

James A. Garfield was born into extreme poverty in a log cabin, and his father died when he was less than two years old. He worked as a janitor and carpenter to put himself through college, and by 26, he had become the president of Hiram College.

What was Garfield's view on the presidency before he became president?

Garfield saw the presidency as a 'bleak mountain,' knowing it would be a very difficult and lonely position, and he never sought the office.

What was the 'spoils system' mentioned in the script?

The spoils system was a practice where anyone could petition the president in person for a government job regardless of experience or ability.

Who was Charles Guiteau, and what was his motivation for assassinating Garfield?

Charles Guiteau was a delusional and grandiose office seeker who had failed at everything he tried. He believed he had a divine inspiration from God to kill the president when his demand for a position was not met.

Why was there no immediate fatality after Garfield was shot by Guiteau?

The gunshot did not hit Garfield's spinal cord or any vital organs, making the initial injury non-fatal.

What medical practices of the time contributed to Garfield's deteriorating health?

Doctors at the time did not believe in germs and rejected the use of antiseptics. They inserted unsterilized fingers and instruments into Garfield's wounds, leading to severe infections.

Who was Dr. D. Willard Bliss, and what was his role in Garfield's treatment?

Dr. D. Willard Bliss was a doctor who took charge of Garfield's treatment. He was described as arrogant and ambitious, and he did not allow second opinions during the 80 days of Garfield's suffering.

What role did Alexander Graham Bell play in the attempt to save Garfield?

Alexander Graham Bell was called upon to use his newly invented metal detector to locate the bullet inside Garfield. However, the metal springs in Garfield's bed interfered with the detector, and the bullet was not found.

What were the consequences of Garfield's assassination for the medical field and the country?

The assassination led to the quick acceptance of antiseptics by American doctors, civil service reform, and a sense of unity that helped heal the nation after the Civil War.

What was Charles Guiteau's final realization before his execution?

Charles Guiteau realized at the very end that he would not be celebrated for killing the president, and he claimed that it was the doctors who murdered Garfield, not him.