THREE ITEMS RELATING to PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S ASSASSIN CHARLES GUITEAU & SERGEANT MASON, GUITEAU'S ATTACKER

Item Details

1882

This group of three items relates to Charles Guiteau, the man who killed President James Garfield in 1881, and to Sergeant John Mason, who attempted to kill Guiteau while on duty to guard him.

1) Charles Guiteau on a trade card from a set featuring caricatures of famous people - this image depicts him with a crazed expression and trampling on law and order.  He is holding a gun with the words "bull dog" on it and a banner with the words "office or your life."  Guiteau killed Garfield because he believed that Garfield owed him a position as a diplomat as a reward for his perceived role in helping Garfield win the election.  3" x 4 1/2" - advertising for a Washington DC shoe store on the reverse.

2) Sergeant John Mason on a trade card - Mason was one of a group of men whose task was to guard Guiteau, who was being held at the National Armory. Mason shot at Guiteau, but his shot missed.   He was convicted in a military trial of attempted murder, dishonorably discharged, and sentenced to eight years at hard labor.  Many considered him a hero for his attempt to kill Guiteau, and there were petitions calling for him to be pardoned.  2 1/2" x 3 7/8" - advertising for a NYC dry goods company on the reverse.

3) 1882 postcard offering lithographs of Mason and his family for sale with some of the proceeds to go to Mason's wife and young daughter.  Mason was convicted in a military trial and dishonorably discharged and sentenced to eight years of hard labor. The conviction was later overturned due to a procedural irregularity by the prosecution. Large numbers of prominent businessmen signed a petition calling for pardoning Mason. On November 24, 1883, President Chester Arthur granted Mason "a full and unconditional pardon."  This 1882 postcard is RARE.