On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. The assassination attempt came just months into Garfield’s presidency and would lead to his death after a prolonged and painful struggle.
Guiteau, a mentally unstable office seeker, believed he was owed a government appointment for his perceived role in Garfield’s election. When his demands were ignored, he lashed out with deadly intent.
Although Garfield survived the initial gunshot wounds, the quality of medical care he received ultimately proved fatal. In an era before antiseptic practices were widely accepted, doctors repeatedly probed his wounds with unsterilized instruments, introducing infections that would contribute to his decline.
Garfield lingered for over two months, suffering greatly until his death on September 19, 1881. His drawn-out passing captivated and horrified the public, fueling conversations about both presidential safety and medical modernization.
Garfield’s death had immediate political consequences. Vice President Chester A. Arthur ascended to the presidency and would go on to champion civil service reform—a cause Garfield had supported—culminating in the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.
The assassination also emphasized the pressing need for enhanced presidential security. Although the Secret Service had been created in 1865, primarily to combat counterfeiting, Garfield’s death helped pave the way for its eventual role in executive protection.
Though Garfield’s presidency was brief, his tragic end left an indelible mark on the nation. His assassination exposed the dangers of the patronage system, the inadequacies of contemporary medicine, and the vulnerabilities of national leaders in a rapidly changing political landscape. Today, Garfield is remembered not only for his potential as a reform-minded president, but also for the pivotal lessons his death imparted to the nation.