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Over many years, the descendants of President Garfield shared stories about his remarkable life but seldom discussed his untimely death. “We knew what had happened, that he was gunned down in a railway depot,” notes one of his living relatives. “We studied the story in books but, in one way or another, we just skimmed through it.”

Fresh Curiosity in a Forgotten President

This transformed in 2011 with the publication of Destiny of the Republic, which revived interest in Garfield's unfinished life. The book has now led to a television production titled the presidential series, featuring an acclaimed actor as the president and his co-star as the unstable individual who gunned him down.

The series seeks to highlight Garfield, who emerged from difficult circumstances to the presidency during the economic era only to succumb to its deep political rifts. His tenure was cut short after only 200 days not only by the killer's weapon but by doctor errors – an event now largely forgotten while the killings of the Civil War president and President Kennedy continue to intrigue the public.

“One cannot help but admire what he did. He was incredibly versatile: he was a legal professional, he was a preacher, he was a agriculturalist. He was so many things which also influenced his personality and his approach and all the information about him the relatives maintain with us.”

Starting from Nothing to the White House

Garfield was the last president raised in rustic conditions in Ohio in 1831. His parent passed away when he was very young, leaving his mom, Eliza, to support a large family in hard times. An insatiable reader, Garfield worked on canal boats to earn money for an schooling.

He pursued jurisprudence, was entered the clergy, became leader of an institution in Ohio and was a government official. In 1858 he married a educational contemporary, his future wife, with whom he would have seven children. An dedicated federalist, Garfield viewed the civil war as a holy crusade against forced servitude and progressed to the officer status.

“As I studied his life, I couldn't believe it. He was absolutely brilliant. He was fearless. He was very progressive for the era. He was compassionate. He was a good person and would have been one of our great presidents had he survived.”

Political Career and Surprise Candidacy

Garfield was encouraged by President Lincoln to leave army service when he was selected to the legislative branch, where he would serve as a political representative for multiple terms. He was dedicated proponent of racial equality in elections, viewing it as a issue of rights and the realization of a conflict agreement.

“The speech he gave on the House chamber will move you deeply. He was an impressive communicator and this matter was very important to him.”

At the political assembly in Chicago the faction was deeply divided between the “faction members”, led by an influential figure, who supported a continued leadership for former president, and the “Half-Breeds”, who supported James G Blaine. Garfield attended as a supporter of his state colleague John Sherman.

When the huge assembly was stalled between Grant and Blaine, representatives began looking for a middle ground. Garfield's impassioned speech proposing Sherman caught their attention. During the speech, he reportedly exclaimed, “And now, gentlemen of the convention, what do we want?” to which a voice from the crowd unexpectedly replied, “We want Garfield!”

On the 36th ballot, a stampede of delegates made Garfield the unexpected candidate. To appease the Stalwart faction, Chester Arthur, a faction member from New York, was chosen as his running mate. In the national vote Garfield defeated the Democratic nominee to become the unique incumbent of the House ever to be selected for the highest office.

Brief Administration and Political Battles

“What would have made Garfield great and what is remarkably uncommon and maybe special for the American presidency is he hadn't campaigned aggressively. It's not that he had entirely ignored the possibility but he was forced into the role.”

The central struggle of Garfield's brief term was his disagreement with Conkling over the “patronage network”. Conkling insisted on authority over federal patronage in New York, particularly the prestigious role of Collector of the Port of New York. Garfield declined, stating the issue was “if the commander-in-chief should be registering clerk of the senate or the presidential authority”. He nominated a rival of Conkling to the post.

The confrontation became a open fight but Garfield defeated Conkling in the Senate. Facing a embarrassing loss, Conkling and his associate quit Congress in protest. The next day, Garfield's selection was confirmed. It was a landmark victory for the executive authority over the party machine and for the improvement efforts over “political control”.

The Assassin and His Disturbed Mind

But even as Garfield battled the titans of his party, he was being pursued by a mentally unstable individual who embodied the negative aspect of the political appointment process. The gunman was a unstable individual with a history of occupational setbacks, mental instability and childhood trauma. He had failed as a attorney, debt recovery agent, religious figure and member of a unconventional group.

“He was mentally ill and his unique form of delusion was fantasy. He always believed that religious calling for importance. He actually had financially a better start than Garfield but where Garfield achieved and rose, Guiteau failed at everything.”

But Guiteau believed he had at last discovered a route to achievement: politics. Caught up in the drama of the 1880 election, he wrote and delivered an insignificant speech, and became persuaded internally that he was personally instrumental for Garfield's victory.

Under this reasoning, Guiteau determined he had earned a important role. He journeyed to DC and continuously bothered Garfield, Blaine and other officials, insisting to be made the diplomatic representative — a role for which he had no experience. He became such a problem that he was eventually prohibited from the White House.

The Assassination and Doctor Errors

On 2 July 1881, just four months into his presidency, Garfield was departing the capital for his educational gathering. As he passed through the transportation center, Guiteau emerged from hiding, withdrew an handgun from his jacket and shot the president twice in the back.

Garfield cried out: “Why is this occurring?” and dropped on the depot ground. When a {police officer|law