Description:

Two ALS from Garfield's Son-in-Law, After Shooting & Prior to His Death

A pair of autograph letters signed related to President Garfield, written after he was shot and prior to his death. Both measuring 5.5" x 9", Washington, D.C., dated July 12 and August 19, 1881. The two letters are written by Joseph Stanley Brown, who served as private secretary to President James A. Garfield and would later become his son-in-law. The first letter, dated July 12, 1881, is addressed to William H. Hunt, Secretary of the Navy, and introduces to him Mrs. Lincoln, "whom you will probably know better as 'Bessie Beach'[sic]." The second letter, dated August 19, 1881, is addressed to W. R. Blach and references a letter from Mrs. Garfield that was received with a copy of "The Life and Public Service of the President." Both letters have flattened mail folds and areas of staining/soiling. Some ink ghosting throughout. Both boldly signed by Brown.

President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau (1841-1882), a disgruntled lawyer and mentally unstable man. Although he was shot on July 2, 1881, Garfield would not die until September 19, 1881, after seven weeks of excruciating convalescence. For a while, it appeared that Garfield would make a full recovery since his wounds were not fatal. However, carelessness and incompetence by the doctors led to the wound becoming infected, and his death was all but ensured by the constant probing of many doctors unfamiliar with basic germ theory.

Joseph Stanley-Brown (1858-1941) served as private secretary to Garfield and was completely devoted to him. At their first meeting, Brown reportedly told Garfield, "It's not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you, sir." He went on to marry President Garfield's daughter Mary "Mollie" Garfield in 1888.

Martha D. Lincoln (1838- 1911) was an American author and journalist, widely known by her pen name, Bessie Beech. In 1882, she co-founded the Woman's National Press Association, which was the first chartered women's press organization in the world. She served as the association's first secretary and would go on to serve eight years as its president.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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