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- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com It's 9:15am on July 2, 1881, in Washington, D.C. a carriage containing the 20th president of the United States of America comes to a stop outside the 6th street station. 49 year old James A. Garfield steps out, closely followed by his Secretary of State, James Blaine. Garfield straightens his jacket and top hat before making his way into the busy train station. He nods to those who recognize him, but for the most part he passes unnoticed. He's just another passenger trying to escape the city's sweltering summer heat. Garfield has only been president for four months, but the responsibility of the office already weighs heavily on him. He's tired, stressed, ready for a few days away from the Capitol. Today, he's planning on meeting his wife and daughter in Long Branch, New Jersey. But he'll only get there if he hurries. Garfield's train is due to leave shortly, and the strict railroad timetable means that they won't wait for even the President. So Garfield and Secretary Blaine hustle into a busy waiting room, hoping to take a shortcut to the platform. But when they're halfway through the crowd, a gunshot rings out and Garfield feels a searing pain in his shoulder. He cries out and then a second shot slams into his back. Stumbling, he falls into the arms of Secretary Blaine. As Blaine calls desperately for help, President Garfield collapses to the ground, blood already soaking through his shirt. Only 16 years after Abraham Lincoln was gunned down, another assassin has tried to take the life of a US President. This time, the would be killer has a very different motive, but the outcome will be the same because in just over two months, President James A. Garfield will succumb to the bullets fired by his assassin on July 2, 1881. History Daily is sponsored by Etruby. Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr Cardiac Amyloidosis, or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions, it may take time to be diagnosed, but learning more about ATTRCM and a treatment called Atrube, also called Acharamatis, could be important for you or a loved one. Atrubi is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking Atrube saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take a truby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about a Truby or visit attruby.com that's att r u b y.com to learn more.
- [03:16]
Unknown Host
The HBO Original Series the Gilded Age.
- [03:19]
Lindsey Graham
Is back and so is the Official Companion. Are you curious about how they brought Gilded Age New York to life? I don't understand.
- [03:28]
Unknown Host
Which bit is not clear?
- [03:29]
Lindsey Graham
None of it is clear.
- [03:31]
Unknown Host
Want to know where the writers branched off from history?
- [03:34]
Lindsey Graham
Well, when you set your mind on a thing, no one can stop you.
- [03:37]
Unknown Host
I take that as a compliment.
- [03:39]
Lindsey Graham
Watch or listen to the official Gilded Age podcast wherever you find podcasts from Noiser in Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is July 2, 1881, the assassination of President Garfield. It's September 20, 1863, in Chickamauga, Georgia, 18 years before President James Garfield is shot. Dressed in a brigadier General's uniform, the 31 year old Garfield kicks his horse forward a few steps. Galloping toward him is what appears to be a messenger in the Union army. But Garfield's taking no chances. It's not unknown for Confederate spies to disguise themselves in an attempt to get close to enemy commanders. And right alongside Garfield is General William Rosecrans, the commander of the army of the Cumberland, one of the principal Union forces in the war. So Garfield puts his horse in the way of the messenger before he can get within striking distance of the general. But when the rider pulls up, Garfield recognizes him as one of their own. He has a report from the front lines, where Union forces are struggling to fight off a Confederate attack. Hearing the news, Garfield scowls. The Union army is already isolated. They're deep in Confederate territory, and his soldiers are exhausted after a long march to get here. Dismissing the messenger, Garfield discusses the report with General Rosecrans and other senior staff. With their backs against the wall, Rosecrans raises the possibility of retreat. But Garfield's not so sure that withdrawing is a good idea. Despite their distance from the front, Garfield can hear gunfire and in his opinion, it sounds controlled and organized. Garfield suspects that although the commanders on the ground may be panicking, the Union soldiers themselves are still holding the enemy back. In fact, if General Rosecrans reinforces the front line now, the battle could be won. When Garfield explains his thinking to General Rosecrans, his superior shakes his head. Rosecrans is convinced that the fight is over. But Garfield won't take no for an answer. Although he risks a reprimand for insubordination, he continues to press his case. Eventually, Rosecrans gives Garfield permission to assess the situation for himself at the front. So Garfield spurs his horse and plunges into the fight. Being sure of his beliefs is nothing new for Garfield. Five years ago, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate as a member of the new anti slavery Republican party. But his political career was soon interrupted by the outbreak of Civil War. As a committed abolitionist, Garfield was eager to enlist and fight on the side of the Union. And after helping drive the Confederates out of eastern Kentucky, Garfield gained a reputation as a brave and astute commander. And he was appointed to General Rosecrans staff. And now as Garfield rides to the front lines at Chickamauga, he sees his instincts were correct. The Union line is holding off the Confederate attack. But when Garfield sends for further reinforcements, General Rosecrans denies his request and orders Garfield to join the other Union soldiers. As they pull back, the battle of Chickamauga becomes a humiliating defeat for the Union. When the casualties are tallied, more than 1,600 soldiers are dead and over 14,000 are either wounded, captured or missing. In the aftermath of this catastrophe, President Abraham Lincoln knows exactly who to blame, and General Rosecrans is relieved of his command. But the young Brigadier General Garfield avoids censure. Back in Washington, Lincoln praises Garfield for his bravery and promotes him to the rank of Major general. Garfield's time on the battlefield is over. However, Lincoln believes that Garfield can better serve the Union by returning to politics. The country has plenty of generals, but not many politicians with an understanding of the military. So with the President's blessing, Garfield stands for election as a Republican in Ohio and wins a seat to the House of Representatives. There in Congress, Garfield helps support the Union triumph in the Civil War. And over the next 15 years, he carves out a reputation in Washington as an accomplished politician. But his career takes an unexpected turn. In 1880, the Republican National Convention fails to unite behind a single candidate for the presidency. And after 34 ballots can't break the deadlock, Garfield's name is thrown into the mix as a compromise. Soon the momentum is with him. And despite never seeking the presidency, Garfield is named the Republican nominee for the White House. After a hard fought race with fellow Civil War hero Winfield Scott. In November 1880, Garfield is elected the 20th President of the United States. But the tight margin of victory means that not everyone in the country is happy to see Garfield take the oath of office. Although the American Civil War is more than a decade in the past, north and south are still divided. The country is also split over immigration and tariff policy, and a faction of Garfield's own Republican Party refuses to support him, complaining that Garfield's promised civil service reforms will deny fellow Republicans the chance to govern. But this is just a political dispute until it turns deadly, when one man's failure to land a job in government will cause him to seek violent revenge.
- [09:13]
Unknown Host
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- [10:04]
The worst day of Abby's life. The 17 year old cradles her newborn son in her arms.
- [10:10]
Lindsey Graham
They all saw how much I loved him. They didn't have to take him from me.
- [10:14]
Unknown Host
Between 1945 and the early 19, families shipped their pregnant teenage daughters to maternity homes and forced them to secretly place their babies for adoption in hidden corners across America. It's still happening. My parents had me locked up in the godparent home against my will. They worked with them to manipulate me and to steal my son away from me. The godparent home is the brainchild of controversial preacher Jerry Falwell, the father of the modern Evangelical Rite and the founder of Liberty University, where powerful men, emboldened by their faith, determine who gets to be a parent and who must give their child away. Follow Liberty Lost on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [11:12]
Lindsey Graham
It's the morning of June 12, 1881 in Washington, D.C. three months after James A. Garfield was inaugurated President of the United States. At the Back of a crowded church, 39 year old Charles Guiteau cranes his neck to try and gain a view of the worshippers in the front pew. From his vantage point, he can just about make out the graying hair of President Garfield. Alongside his wife and children, Guiteau is sweating in the summer heat. His hair is a mess and his clothes are crumpled. A few parishioners edge away from him, but Guiteau barely notices. Instead, he slips his hand into his coat pocket and slowly strokes a concealed pistol. Guiteau finds the cool ivory handle reassuring and he grips onto the weapon as the sermon draws to a close. Then he steels himself, waiting for the congregation to file out at the end of the service. Because that is the moment he will shoot the President. Charles Guiteau's life has been a failure so far. He's bounced from job to job without success. As a lawyer, he lost his only case as an author, he wrote a book that flopped. He was kicked out of a religious sect and his family tried to have him committed to an asylum. Most recently, he's turned his hand to political speechwriting and that hasn't been going well either. At the 1880 Republican convention, Guiteau wrote a speech backing former President Ulysses S. Grant for the nomination. But when James Garfield's candidacy gained momentum, Guiteau altered his text, merely swapping Grant's name for Garfield's. After distributing pamphlets of his speech to anyone who'd take them, Guiteau believed that he had played a major role in Garfield winning the presidential election. Ever since, Guiteau has been petitioning Garfield's administration to be named as the US Ambassador, but his delusional letters have been ignored. Now Guiteau is determined to make Garfield pay for this snub. To Guiteau, the President is a turncoat, someone who's betrayed not just him, but the Republican factions who never wanted Garfield in the first place and Guiteau's warped mind. If he kills the new President, some Republicans will consider him a hero. So as the service ends and President Garfield rises from his seat, nodding and smiling to fellow parishioners, he passes within a yard of Guiteau. But Guiteau does not take the pistol out of his pocket. Instead, he watches blankly as the President walks out of the church with no idea how close he just came to death. Guiteau joins the rest of the congregation as they file outside. He persuades himself that he didn't shoot because a stray bullet could have hit one of the other churchgoers. He can't admit to himself that he lost his nerve and refuses to let go of his violent fantasies. So over the next few weeks, Guiteau stalks the President further. He loiters outside the White House. He follows Garfield to church every Sunday. But although he has several opportunities to fire his gun every time, Guiteau finds an excuse for not acting. Sometimes he worries about the disgrace that will fall on his family should he murder the President. Other times he blames his own hell for his failures. But despite his inability to pull the trigger, the desire to kill Garfield never leaves him. Then on the morning of July 1, 1881, Guiteau reads in a newspaper that President Garfield is scheduled to travel to New Jersey by train the following day. So that next morning, Guiteau places the ivory handled pistol back in his pocket and makes his way to the station. He finds an empty waiting room and stands behind the door. Over the next few minutes, the room fills with passengers for the New Jersey train. And then, just before 9:30am President goes. Garfield hurries in alongside Secretary of State James Blaine. Garfield then walks within a few feet of Guiteau. And this time, Guiteau doesn't allow himself to hesitate. In one swift motion, he pulls the gun from his pocket and fires. He pulls the trigger twice, hitting Garfield in the shoulder and back. Then, as a rush of adrenaline courses through his body, Guiteau flees the scene. But the waiting room is busy. Crazy. And Guiteau has to push through the crowd to escape. This delay means he doesn't even make it out of the train station before a police officer apprehends him. Guiteau doesn't fight the arrest. Instead he calmly announces to the officer that Vice President Chester A. Arthur is now the President of the United States. But Guiteau has jumped the gun. President Garfield is still alive, although seriously wounded. And the next few hours are crucial. The action of Garfield's doctors will decide whether the President lives or dies.
- [15:39]
Mr. Ballin
Hey, it's Mr. Ballin here and I am so excited to tell you all about a podcast from Ballin Studios called Declassified Mysteries. And it's hosted by the Incredible Luke Lamanna. From COVID government experiments to bizarre assassination attempts. Redacted dives deep into the astonishing true stories that of uncovered secrets, lies and deception within the world's most powerful institutions. Stories like the mind bending truth behind Operation Paperclip where former Nazi scientists were smuggled into America to advance US technology and intelligence during the Cold War. Or the shocking story of Charles Manson and the CIA revealing how a notorious cult leader might have been entangled in a web of covert operations. Trust me when I tell you the stories are real and the secrets are shocking. Be sure to follow Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamanna on the Wondery app or wherever else you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app or on Spotify or Apple podcasts.
- [16:39]
Unknown Host
Pop quiz Jack. Which app started a war by accidentally erasing a border of Costa Rica? That would be Google Maps. Yes, engineers had to manually redraw the border to solve the conflict. Okay, how about this one man? Which iconic drink was actually hated by Starbucks until they acquired it? That would be Frappuccino. Yeah, Howard Schultz was not into these frozen Franken coffees until it made him a billion dollars. That's right, the products you are most obsessed with have an origin story that never made it to the front page. And on our podcast the Best Idea yet, we dig into those untold stories, the weird pitches, the the Hail Marys and the project pivots that made them go viral. So if you're the kind of person who wants to know how the Ninja Turtles used a growth hack from stand up comedy or who really invented Costco's Kirkland brand hint it involves an airplane struck by lightning, then follow the Best Idea yet on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts and you can listen to the Best Idea yet early and ad free right now by joining Wondery.
- [17:48]
Lindsey Graham
It's July 2, 1881 at the White House in Washington D.C. an hour after President James A. Garfield was shot. Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln closes the door of a bedroom, ignoring the concerned faces of the staff gathered in the hallway outside. With the onlooker shut out, Robert turns and takes in the grim scene before him. President Garfield is lying on a blood soaked mattress, groaning in pain as Dr. A probes his injuries with a finger. A few cabinet members stand back, clearly unsure what to do. But Robert's mind is clear because this is not his first brush with political violence. Sixteen years ago, Robert's father, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while serving as the President. And in the aftermath of that shooting, Robert rushed to the house where Lincoln was taken. He was with his father when he died. Inspired by his father's life of public service, Robert followed him him into politics. And a few months ago he was named Secretary of War by the new President, James Garfield. Earlier today, Robert accompanied Garfield to the train station. He was walking only 40ft behind the President and had a clear view of the attack. In the moments that followed, it was Robert who took charge and arranged for the President to be brought back to the White House. Now everyone still seems to be looking to him to lead them. The doctor straightens up and wipes his bloody hands on a rat rag. He turns to Robert and declares that the bullet is still in the President's body. But despite searching the wound, he can't find it. All he can do now is patch up the injuries and pray they don't become infected. But the doctor's hopes are soon dashed. Although Garfield survives the initial trauma of the shooting, his condition gradually worsens as the wounds begin to smell and drip pus. He suffers from fevers, struggles to keep food down and weight his plummets. The doctors try again to find the lodged bullet. They even ask inventor Alexander Graham Bell to find it with a rudimentary metal detector. But whatever they try, the bullet remains stuck in Garfield's body. The once large, strong Garfield wastes away. The bed bound president is carried by train to a coastal mansion in the hope that the sea air will help. But it's too late. President Garfield dies on September 19, 1881, two and a half months after he was shot. During the trial that follows Garfield's death, Charles Guiteau's insanity plea is rejected and he'll be convicted and executed for murder. After the second assassination of a US president in less than 20 years, security will be improved too, but it won't Prevent further tragedy. Twenty years later, another president, William McKinley, will also be shot at point blank range. And once again, one of the first visitors to McKinley's Bridge bedside will be Robert Todd Lincoln. Just as Robert was quickly on the scene with his father was killed. And when President James A. Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881. Next on History Daily, July 3, 1988. 290 people are killed when a US Navy warship mistakes an Iranian passenger plane for a hostile aircraft. From Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham. Audio editing by Mohammed Shazi. Sound design by Molly Bach. Supervising sound designer is Matthew Filler. Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Owen Paul Nichols. Edited by Scott Reeves. Managing producer Emily Burke and executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser. Trip Planner by Expedia. You were made to have strong opinions about sand. We were made to help you and your friends find a place on the beach with a pool and a marina and a waterfall and a soaking tub. Expedia made to travel.