Lot 44
Garfield, James A. -- Rare Document Signed as President (1831-1881) 20th President of the United States (March 4-Sept. 19, 1881). Partly-printed document signed as President, 14 x 17", Washington, May 16, 1881. Appointing Edwin F. Tomlinson Postmaster at Plainville, in the County of Hartford, State of Connecticut. Countersigned by Postmaster General Thomas L. James. With lovely full red ribbon and gold foil seal (missing a couple of prongs) makes this document very attractive. Two tiny brown spots at outer right margin, otherwise very fine condition. One of Garfield's accomplishments as President was purging corruption in the Post Office.
Signatures of Garfield as President are second in rarity only to William Henry Harrison. Garfield had only been President for four months when, on July 2, 1881, deranged drifter Charles J. Guiteau followed him to the Potomac and Baltimore Railroad Station and shot him twice as Garfield prepared to leave for New England on vacation. Guiteau had stalked Garfield for weeks because he felt he was owed a diplomatic post, preferably a consulship in Paris.
One bullet grazed Garfield's right arm but the other struck him in the lower back. Although European doctors were widely practicing Joseph Lister's ideas of antiseptic surgery by the time of Garfield's shooting, most American doctors disdained the notion that they could cause infection by probing the wound with unsterilized hands and instruments. By the time of his death on September 19th, a massive infection had ensued; Garfield was covered with abcesses and in excrutiating pain.
Guiteau said at his trial, "I deny the killing, if your honor please. We admit the shooting." His plea of not guilty by reason of insanity did not convince the jury and on June 30, 1882, nearly a year to the day after he shot the President, Guiteau was hanged by the neck until dead. Before his execution, he read a poem he had written that morning called "I am Going to the Lordy." Estimate Value $10,000 - UP
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