22 "Even in moments of greatest misery": Ibid. "Even in moments of greatest misery": Ibid.
23 "temporary but adequate": Stanley-Brown, "Memorandum Concerning Joseph Stanley-Brown"s Relations with General Garfield," 12. "temporary but adequate": Stanley-Brown, "Memorandum Concerning Joseph Stanley-Brown"s Relations with General Garfield," 12.
24 "full and accurate information": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield." "full and accurate information": Stanley-Brown, "My Friend Garfield."
25 "miniature hospital": Ibid. "miniature hospital": Ibid.
26 "abounding in health": Stanley-Brown, "Memorandum Concerning Joseph Stanley-Brown"s Relations with General Garfield," 13. "abounding in health": Stanley-Brown, "Memorandum Concerning Joseph Stanley-Brown"s Relations with General Garfield," 13.
27 A dozen men lifted above their heads the mattress: Seale, A dozen men lifted above their heads the mattress: Seale, The President"s House The President"s House, 522.
28 "The upper story is alright": "A Great Nation in Grief," "The upper story is alright": "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
29 "the Pullman car": "Mrs. Garfield"s Narrow Escape," "the Pullman car": "Mrs. Garfield"s Narrow Escape," New York Times New York Times, July 5, 1881.
30 "That"s my wife!": Brown, "That"s my wife!": Brown, The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield, 220.
31 "Mrs. Garfield came, frail, fatigued": Blaine, "Mrs. Garfield came, frail, fatigued": Blaine, Letters of Mrs. James G. Blaine Letters of Mrs. James G. Blaine, 211.
32 "evidently...making a strong effort": "A Great Nation in Grief," "evidently...making a strong effort": "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
33 "will not probably live": "A Great Nation in Grief," "will not probably live": "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
34 "I am here to nurse you": Seale, "I am here to nurse you": Seale, The President"s House The President"s House, 522.
Chapter 14: All Evil Consequences
1 While most of the country heard: Tainter, "The Talking Machine and Some Little Known Facts in Connection with Its Early Development," 17. (Hereafter "The Talking Machine.") While most of the country heard: Tainter, "The Talking Machine and Some Little Known Facts in Connection with Its Early Development," 17. (Hereafter "The Talking Machine.") 2 "President Garfield," the caller said: Ibid. "President Garfield," the caller said: Ibid.
3 "belonged to us": Eliza Bell to Alexander Graham Bell, July 8, 1881, Bell Family Papers. "belonged to us": Eliza Bell to Alexander Graham Bell, July 8, 1881, Bell Family Papers.
4 "Everybody ran hither and thither": McCabe, "Everybody ran hither and thither": McCabe, Our Martyred President Our Martyred President, 535.
5 Determined to find out for himself: Tainter, "The Talking Machine," 17. Determined to find out for himself: Tainter, "The Talking Machine," 17.
6 "no one could venture to predict": Bell, "no one could venture to predict": Bell, Upon the Electrical Experiments Upon the Electrical Experiments, 1.
7 "Nature did all she could": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," "Nature did all she could": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," Munsey"s Magazine Munsey"s Magazine, 548.
8 "none the worse for it": "What Surgeon J. F. May Says," "none the worse for it": "What Surgeon J. F. May Says," New York Times New York Times, July 8, 1881.
9 "had been a "tough"": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," 547. "had been a "tough"": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," 547.
10 "the crowds were rapidly increasing": "A Great Nation in Grief," "the crowds were rapidly increasing": "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
11 Inside the White House: Seale, Inside the White House: Seale, The President"s House The President"s House, 522.
12 "President Garfield was shot and killed": Clark, "President Garfield was shot and killed": Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield,64.
13 At the top of his list of potential compet.i.tors: "The President"s Physicians," At the top of his list of potential compet.i.tors: "The President"s Physicians," New York Times New York Times, July 13, 1881.
14 When Baxter arrived at the White House: Bliss, When Baxter arrived at the White House: Bliss, Statement of the Services Rendered by the Surgeons in the Case of the Late President Garfield Statement of the Services Rendered by the Surgeons in the Case of the Late President Garfield, 19.
15 "Why, doctor": Ibid., 19. "Why, doctor": Ibid., 19.
16 "He is my patient": Bliss"s wife to her brother, August 28, 1881. "He is my patient": Bliss"s wife to her brother, August 28, 1881.
17 "I know your game": "The President"s Physicians," "I know your game": "The President"s Physicians," New York Times New York Times, July 13, 1881.
18 "Dear Doctor": D. W. Bliss to doctors, July 3, 1881. "Dear Doctor": D. W. Bliss to doctors, July 3, 1881.
19 "He just took charge of it": "President Garfield"s Case," "He just took charge of it": "President Garfield"s Case," American Observer American Observer, 494.
20 "select such counsel": Reyburn, "select such counsel": Reyburn, Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield Clinical History of the Case of President James Abram Garfield, 15.
21 To his mortification, however: Clark, To his mortification, however: Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 99.
22 Lucretia, in fact, had taken matters: Dr. Edson was a homeopathic physician. Like other homeopaths, her philosophy was in direct opposition to that of allopathy, the type of medicine that Bliss, Baxter, and the vast majority of American doctors then practiced. In medical school, she had been taught that "like cures like." When treating a patient, she tried to prescribe medicines that produced the same symptoms in her patients as the diseases from which they were suffering. More important, she believed in the "law of infinitesimals"-the smaller the dose, the more effective the treatment. Although homeopathic medicine did little good, neither did it cause much harm, certainly in comparison to allopathy. In the late nineteenth century, American allopathic doctors still relied heavily on "heroic measures"-not as a last resort, but as a first step. They vigorously argued the benefits of bleeding, blistering, and scarification. Purging was also considered highly therapeutic, brought on by doses so toxic that they caused violent vomiting and, occasionally, death. Lucretia, in fact, had taken matters: Dr. Edson was a homeopathic physician. Like other homeopaths, her philosophy was in direct opposition to that of allopathy, the type of medicine that Bliss, Baxter, and the vast majority of American doctors then practiced. In medical school, she had been taught that "like cures like." When treating a patient, she tried to prescribe medicines that produced the same symptoms in her patients as the diseases from which they were suffering. More important, she believed in the "law of infinitesimals"-the smaller the dose, the more effective the treatment. Although homeopathic medicine did little good, neither did it cause much harm, certainly in comparison to allopathy. In the late nineteenth century, American allopathic doctors still relied heavily on "heroic measures"-not as a last resort, but as a first step. They vigorously argued the benefits of bleeding, blistering, and scarification. Purging was also considered highly therapeutic, brought on by doses so toxic that they caused violent vomiting and, occasionally, death.
23 The stout, bespectacled doctor: Feis, The stout, bespectacled doctor: Feis, Mollie Garfield in the White House Mollie Garfield in the White House, p. 70.
24 "Mrs. Dr. Edson": Balston, "Mrs. Dr. Edson": Balston, Life of President Garfield Life of President Garfield, Supplementary Chapter by Edson, 612.
25 Dr. Silas Boynton: Garfield had an especially high regard for Boynton because the doctor had "burst the narrow barriers of homeopathy." Dr. Silas Boynton: Garfield had an especially high regard for Boynton because the doctor had "burst the narrow barriers of homeopathy."
26 "Please to have you come": Deppisch, "Homeopathic Medicine and Presidential Health," 6. "Please to have you come": Deppisch, "Homeopathic Medicine and Presidential Health," 6.
27 "I had a taste of what has been": Pasteur and Lister, "I had a taste of what has been": Pasteur and Lister, Germ Theory and Its Applications to Medicine Germ Theory and Its Applications to Medicine, 144.
28 "all evil consequences": Bankston, 35. "all evil consequences": Bankston, 35.
29 "In order to successfully practice": Clark, "In order to successfully practice": Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 72.
30 "Judging the future by the past": Ibid. "Judging the future by the past": Ibid.
31 "good old surgical stink": Ibid., 70; Guthrie, "good old surgical stink": Ibid., 70; Guthrie, From Witchcraft to Antisepsis From Witchcraft to Antisepsis, 32.
32 Some physicians felt that Lister"s: Rutkow, Some physicians felt that Lister"s: Rutkow, James A. Garfield James A. Garfield, 110.
33 They preferred, moreover: Haller, They preferred, moreover: Haller, American Medicine in Transition, 18401910 American Medicine in Transition, 18401910, ix.
34 Even those doctors willing to try: Rothstein, Even those doctors willing to try: Rothstein, American Physicians in the Nineteenth Century American Physicians in the Nineteenth Century, 256; Clark, The Murder of James A. Garfield The Murder of James A. Garfield, 73.
35 "had the physician in charge abstained": Gerster, "had the physician in charge abstained": Gerster, Recollections of a New York Surgeon Recollections of a New York Surgeon, 206.
36 "Do not allow probing": Dr. E. L. Patee to Lucretia Garfield, July 3, 1881, James A. Garfield Papers, Library of Congress. Patee understood gunshot wounds as well as any of the doctors circling the White House, and better than most. Just a few years after graduating from Ohio"s Western Reserve Eclectic Inst.i.tute, which he had attended at the same time as Garfield, and the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Patee had moved to western Kansas. A devoted abolitionist, he had been among the first to enlist in the Union Army at the start of the Civil War. During the war, he had established a hospital on the front lines and, afterward, had devoted much of his time to treating the freed slaves who flooded into Kansas. "Do not allow probing": Dr. E. L. Patee to Lucretia Garfield, July 3, 1881, James A. Garfield Papers, Library of Congress. Patee understood gunshot wounds as well as any of the doctors circling the White House, and better than most. Just a few years after graduating from Ohio"s Western Reserve Eclectic Inst.i.tute, which he had attended at the same time as Garfield, and the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Patee had moved to western Kansas. A devoted abolitionist, he had been among the first to enlist in the Union Army at the start of the Civil War. During the war, he had established a hospital on the front lines and, afterward, had devoted much of his time to treating the freed slaves who flooded into Kansas.
37 "old men": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," "old men": Girdner, "The Death of President Garfield," Munsey Magazine Munsey Magazine, 547.
38 Both men had attended Lister"s talk: Paulson, "Death of a President and His a.s.sa.s.sin," 81. Both men had attended Lister"s talk: Paulson, "Death of a President and His a.s.sa.s.sin," 81.
39 "these gentlemen used no b.u.t.tons": G.o.dlee, "these gentlemen used no b.u.t.tons": G.o.dlee, Lord Lister Lord Lister, 391.
40 "would in many cases sacrifice": Pasteur and Lister, "would in many cases sacrifice": Pasteur and Lister, Germ Theory and Its Applications to Medicine Germ Theory and Its Applications to Medicine, 136.
41 "bear the severest scrutiny": "Dr. Hamilton Much Pleased," "bear the severest scrutiny": "Dr. Hamilton Much Pleased," New York Times New York Times, July 6, 1881.
42 "I think that we have": "A Medical View of the Case," "I think that we have": "A Medical View of the Case," New York Times New York Times, July 8, 1881.
43 As Bliss spoke, smoke from his cigar: "Still Brighter Prospects," As Bliss spoke, smoke from his cigar: "Still Brighter Prospects," New York Times New York Times, July 8, 1881.
44 "the most admirable patient": "A Medical View of the Case," "the most admirable patient": "A Medical View of the Case," New York Times New York Times, July 8, 1881.
45 "If I can"t save him": Quoted in Ackerman, "If I can"t save him": Quoted in Ackerman, Dark Horse Dark Horse, 403.
46 "I cannot possibly persuade him to sit": Mabel Bell to her mother, July 8, 1881, Bell Family Papers. "I cannot possibly persuade him to sit": Mabel Bell to her mother, July 8, 1881, Bell Family Papers.
47 "like a Chinese lantern": Bell, "like a Chinese lantern": Bell, Upon the Electrical Experiments Upon the Electrical Experiments, 47.
48 Deciding to run a few quick tests: Bruce, Deciding to run a few quick tests: Bruce, Alexander Graham Bell and the Conquest of Solitude Alexander Graham Bell and the Conquest of Solitude, 344; Tainter, "The Talking Machine," 18.
49 In a simplistic way, the technique antic.i.p.ated: In November 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen took an X-ray of his wife"s hand, which showed her bones and wedding ring. In a simplistic way, the technique antic.i.p.ated: In November 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen took an X-ray of his wife"s hand, which showed her bones and wedding ring.
50 The problem was that: Bell, The problem was that: Bell, Upon the Electrical Experiments Upon the Electrical Experiments, 4748.
51 "returned vividly to my mind": Ibid., 4. "returned vividly to my mind": Ibid., 4.
52 "The currents induced": Ibid., 23. "The currents induced": Ibid., 23.
53 "When a position of silence": Ibid., 3. "When a position of silence": Ibid., 3.
54 "brooding over the problem": Ibid., 4. "brooding over the problem": Ibid., 4.
55 "great personal convenience": Ibid. "great personal convenience": Ibid.
56 "received an urgent request": Tainter, "The Talking Machine," 18. "received an urgent request": Tainter, "The Talking Machine," 18.
Chapter 15: Blood-Guilty
1 "Information had reached them": "Guiteau in Jail," "Information had reached them": "Guiteau in Jail," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
2 "There were many who felt": "A Cloud upon the Holiday," "There were many who felt": "A Cloud upon the Holiday," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
3 "While it seems incredible": Ibid. "While it seems incredible": Ibid.
4 "roar of indignation": "Brooklyn Much Disturbed," "roar of indignation": "Brooklyn Much Disturbed," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
5 Rumors spread that a group: "Bulletins Still Eagerly Watched," Rumors spread that a group: "Bulletins Still Eagerly Watched," New York Tribune New York Tribune, July 6, 1881, cited in Menke, "Media in America," 652.
6 On the top floor: Kalush, On the top floor: Kalush, The Secret Life of Houdini The Secret Life of Houdini, 177.
7 "a particular friend": "A Talk with the a.s.sa.s.sin," "a particular friend": "A Talk with the a.s.sa.s.sin," New York Times New York Times, July 5, 1881.
8 Soon after settling into his cell: "A Great Nation in Grief," Soon after settling into his cell: "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
9 "lobbying like any henchman": Ackerman, "lobbying like any henchman": Ackerman, Dark Horse Dark Horse, 363.
10 As he scanned the message: "Garfield Shot," As he scanned the message: "Garfield Shot," Milwaukee Daily Sentinel Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, July 2, 1881.
11 Across the street, the sidewalk: "Seeking for the Latest News," Across the street, the sidewalk: "Seeking for the Latest News," New York Times New York Times, July 4, 1881.
12 As Conkling and Arthur entered the hotel: "At the Fifth Avenue Hotel," As Conkling and Arthur entered the hotel: "At the Fifth Avenue Hotel," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
13 "More than one excited man": Ibid. "More than one excited man": Ibid.
14 So suffocatingly crowded: Ibid. So suffocatingly crowded: Ibid.
15 By the time Conkling had his hands: By the time Conkling had his hands: Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune, July 3, 1881.
16 "great grief and sympathy": Ackerman, "great grief and sympathy": Ackerman, Dark Horse Dark Horse, 38485.
17 "Chet Arthur?": Whitcomb and Whitcomb, "Chet Arthur?": Whitcomb and Whitcomb, Real Life at the White House Real Life at the White House, 181.
18 "simple vanity": Reeves, "simple vanity": Reeves, Gentleman Boss Gentleman Boss, 5.
19 Arthur was also widely known: Karabell, Arthur was also widely known: Karabell, Chester Alan Arthur Chester Alan Arthur, 30.
20 "I do not think he knows anything": Harriet S. Blaine and Beale, "I do not think he knows anything": Harriet S. Blaine and Beale, Letters of Mrs. James G. Blaine Letters of Mrs. James G. Blaine, 309.
21 "There is no place in which the powers of mischief": Quoted in Reeves, "There is no place in which the powers of mischief": Quoted in Reeves, Gentleman Boss Gentleman Boss, 241.
22 "a statesman and a thorough-bred gentleman": "Seeking for the Latest News," "a statesman and a thorough-bred gentleman": "Seeking for the Latest News," New York Times New York Times, July 4, 1881.
23 "Republicans and Democrats alike": "A Cloud Upon the Holiday," "Republicans and Democrats alike": "A Cloud Upon the Holiday," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
24 "Arthur for President!": Williams, "Arthur for President!": Williams, Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes Diary and Letters of Rutherford B. Hayes, 23.
25 "There is a theory": "Guiteau in Jail," "There is a theory": "Guiteau in Jail," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.
26 "I am a Stalwart": "A Great Nation in Grief," "I am a Stalwart": "A Great Nation in Grief," New York Times New York Times, July 3, 1881.