That was not an option during September of 1881 when President James A. Garfield, wounded in Washington, D.C., on July 2 by an assassin, finally succumbed on Sept. 26 in large part we know now because his physicians ignored the latest advice in regard to sanitation and treated him with unwashed hands and unsterilized instruments.
To honor the fallen leader, Chariton organized as grand an event as it could manage on Monday, Sept. 26, intended to mirror proceedings then in progress in Cleveland, Ohio, where last rites and interment of the fallen leader were in progress.
Here's The Chariton Patriot's account of the memorial event, written on Sept. 27 and published on Wednesday, Sept. 28:
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Yesterday was a solemn day for the people of the United States, and the citizens of our own city were not behind their neighbors in their expressions of profound sorrow and grief. At an early hour in the morning nearly every building on the square, and very many private residences throughout the city, were heavily draped in mourning, and at nine o'clock every business was closed, with a single exception --- the English Kitchen.
At sunrise thirteen guns were fired, one every half hour during the day, and thirty-eight at sunset. The expressions of sorrow were visible on the countenances of the people, and it really seemed as though each was about to consign to the tomb the remains of a dearly beloved personal friend, or, as aptly stated by Department Commander Carey, "In every home in our broad land today there is one dead."
At one o'clock, the procession was formed, under the supervision of Capt. McCormick and his staff, in the order named, and traversed the route published in the programme. The procession was not only the largest but the finest in appearance that has been seen in Chariton for years. The hearts of the people seemed to be in the solemn ceremonies, and neither trouble nor money was taken into consideration in making the preparations. The fire department justly received great credit for the handsome manner in which the engine and hook and ladder truck were draped. Evergreen and crape were profusely used, intermingled with sufficient white to add to the beauty of the appearance, while large portraits of the martyred President, very heavily draped in mourning, occupied prominent positions.
The long procession finally arrived at the south school grounds, where the memorial services were to be held. The Rev. J. Stuart Reed opened with a fervent and pathetic prayer, followed by an introductory address by Hon. Robert Coles, president of the day. The health of Mr. Coles was such as to prevent his making an extended address, but for 15 or 20 minutes he held his audience in breathless silence as he showed the universal sentiments of condemnation of the dastardly deed of the assassin that pervades the hearts of the people of the country, without regard to party affiliations. He was followed by Mr. J.A. Penick, on the early life of Garfield; Rev. Fr. Hayes, on Garfield as a citizen; Col. Warren S. Dungan on Garfield as a soldier; T.M. Stewart on Garfield as a statesman; and Elder Robert Reed on Garfield as a christian.
When it is considered that all the addresses were delivered without time for preparation, we positively assert that, without exception, they were the best we ever heard, and the large audience was evidently of the same opinion, for every man, woman and child held their positions until the last word was uttered.
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The funeral procession had been organized on what now is North Main Street along the west side of the square and had proceeded clockwise around the square on Braden, Grand and Court before turning south on South Main past the fire station, then right on Linden to the grounds of what now is Columbus School, then located in the southwest corner of a block where the balance served as a shaded public park.
As noted in the report, only Mrs. Mollie Swinney, proprietor of the English Kitchen cafe on the south side of the square, had resisted suggestions that all businesses should close from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the day of the memorial in honor the fallen president. Could it have been that she herself was English and had not yet recovered from the unfortunate events of 1776?
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