The deranged diplomat wannabe who assassinated President Garfield in 1881

Charles Guiteau’s twisted path from failed lawyer to assassin

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Ohio tells the story of America’s most delusional presidential assassin.

Charles Guiteau was a failed lawyer who believed his terrible campaign speech won Garfield the 1880 election.

He spent months pestering officials for a diplomatic job, then bought an ivory-handled gun because it would look good in a museum.

For six weeks, he stalked President Garfield around Washington, passing up shots at church and train stations. On July 2, 1881, Guiteau finally fired twice at the Baltimore and Potomac station.

This is the bizarre story of presidential obsession gone deadly wrong.

A Failed Lawyer Arrived in Washington with Big Dreams

Charles Guiteau showed up in Washington on March 5, 1881, just one day after James Garfield became president. He thought he deserved a government job for helping Garfield win the election.

In his mind, a speech he wrote was key to Garfield’s victory, though it was poorly written and barely noticed. Guiteau had quickly changed references from Grant to Garfield, making it even worse.

Still, he felt he should get a fancy diplomatic job abroad.

He Handed Garfield His Resume During Their Only Meeting

Guiteau got into the White House on March 8, 1881, where he met President Garfield face-to-face.

During this short meeting, he gave the president a copy of his campaign pamphlet with “Paris consulship” written on the cover.

After telling Garfield he wanted the job, Guiteau sat down while the president quietly read it. A few minutes later, without saying anything, Guiteau stood up and left.

This odd behavior marked his only personal meeting with the man he would later shoot.

Money Problems Forced Him to Skip Out on Hotel Bills

Guiteau was broke in the months before the shooting. He moved from one rooming house to another without paying his bills.

The winter made things worse as he walked the cold, snowy streets in a worn-out suit with no coat, hat, or boots.

He spent his days in hotel lobbies, reading old newspapers and using their paper to write letters asking Garfield for a government job.

Government Officials Got Tired of His Constant Visits

Guiteau kept going back and forth between the State Department and White House, bothering Cabinet members and Republican Party leaders about getting a job.

He wrote letters to both President Garfield and Secretary of State James Blaine, saying he deserved to be consul to Austria because of his “service during the canvas.”

Guiteau called this potential job a “personal tribute” for his efforts. Like many other job seekers who lined up daily, he got turned down repeatedly.

Blaine Finally Told Him to Get Lost

On May 13, 1881, Guiteau got banned from the White House waiting room. The next day, he ran into Secretary of State Blaine again and asked about a consulship.

Blaine got angry and shouted, “Never speak to me again on the Paris consulship as long as you live! ” This harsh rejection changed everything for Guiteau.

He now saw Garfield’s administration as bad for the Republican Party and became convinced that God wanted him to kill the president.

God Told Him to Buy an Ivory-Handled Gun

Two days after Blaine’s rejection, on May 16, 1881, Guiteau borrowed $15 from a relative to buy a weapon.

He chose a .442 Webley British Bulldog revolver with ivory grips because he thought it would look better in a museum after he shot the president.

This choice showed how Guiteau saw himself as a hero on a mission rather than a killer. He believed killing Garfield wasn’t murder but a needed “removal” that would help America.

The Assassin Asked for a Tour of His Future Jail Cell

Guiteau did some strange things to prepare for the assassination.

He visited the District of Columbia jail and asked for a tour of the place where he expected to live after shooting Garfield. The staff told him to come back later.

He also practiced shooting the revolver, though he had little gun experience. The weapon’s kickback nearly knocked him over during his first tries.

Guiteau even wrote to General Sherman asking for protection from the angry crowd he expected after killing the president.

June Became His Month of Presidential Stalking

Throughout June 1881, Guiteau followed President Garfield around Washington, looking for the perfect moment to shoot him. He tracked Garfield’s movements through newspaper reports that shared the president’s schedule.

Local papers announced Garfield’s travel plans with his family, so Guiteau waited at the train station, watching and planning. No one noticed his odd behavior as he spent weeks following the president around the capital.

The Sick First Lady Got a Temporary Reprieve

One day, Guiteau followed Garfield to the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station where the president was seeing his wife Lucretia off to a beach resort in New Jersey.

Guiteau had the perfect chance to shoot Garfield but decided not to.

He felt bad for Lucretia, who was already sick, and didn’t want to upset her by killing her husband in front of her. This moment of twisted kindness only delayed what was coming as Guiteau kept stalking the president.

The Cab Driver Got a Chilling Answer

On July 2, 1881, Guiteau read about Garfield’s schedule in the newspaper and got ready. He got his shoes shined, paced nervously, and hired a cab to take him to the railroad station.

When they arrived and Guiteau stepped out, the driver asked if he should wait. Guiteau calmly replied that he wouldn’t need a ride back because he was going to jail afterward.

In his pocket, he carried a letter to the White House claiming the “president’s tragic death was a sad necessity” that would “unite the Republican Party and save the Republic.

The President Never Saw the Bullets Coming

Inside the Baltimore and Potomac Station, Guiteau sneaked up behind Garfield and fired two shots at point-blank range. The first bullet grazed Garfield’s shoulder, causing him to cry out, “My God, what is this?”

The second bullet struck him in the back, lodging behind his pancreas.

As Guiteau tried to escape, he bumped into policeman Patrick Kearney who was rushing in after hearing the gunshots. When arrested, Guiteau proudly announced, “I am a Stalwart of Stalwarts.

Arthur is President now! ” His six-week campaign of terror had reached its bloody conclusion.

Visiting James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Ohio

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site at 8095 Mentor Avenue in Mentor offers free admission to both the visitor center and house tours. You can reserve ranger-guided house tours when you arrive.

The visitor center opens daily 10am-5pm from May through October, weekends only November through April. Watch a 20-minute biographical film and browse museum displays in the converted carriage house.

The Memorial Library wing contains Garfield’s personal books and papers.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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