In Memoriam: President Garfield's Funeral March Station in Washington, D.C., President of the United States James Garfield was shot at close range by Charles J. Guiteau who, upon being apprehended by police, yelled, "Arthur is now President"! Garfield, then the third youngest president in American history, died 79 days later in Elberon, New Jersey where he had been taken to recover. The announcement of Garfield's death came as a surprise to the public as news accounts prior to that point had reported he had been recovering satisfactorily. Both John Philip Sousa and Garfield were members of the same Masonic lodge. While reclining in bed, Sousa heard
Charles J. Guiteau life. Although none of his fellow passengers on the "Stonington" were injured, the incident left Guiteau believing that he had been spared for a higher purpose. Guiteau's interest then turned to politics. During the 1880 presidential campaign, the Republican Party was largely split into factions -- the Stalwarts, led by Roscoe Conkling, who supported Ulysses S. Grant for a third term, and the Half-Breeds, who supported James G. Blaine. Guiteau wrote a speech in support of Ulysses S. Grant called "Grant against Hancock", which he revised to "Garfield against Hancock" after Garfield (not affiliated with either faction) won the Republican