Title: workmen laying the new railroad track on the night of september 5th / from sketches by a staff artist. Death of president garfield: garfield had long been anxious to escape hot, unhealthy washington, and in early september the doctors agreed to move him to elberon, part of long branch, new jersey, where his wife had recovered earlier in the summer. He left the white house for the last time on september 5, traveling in a specially cushioned railway car; a spur line to the francklyn cottage, a seaside mansion given over to his use, was built in a night by volunteers. After arriving in elberon the next day, garfield was moved from the train car to a bedroom where he could see the ocean as officials and reporters maintained what became (after an initial rally) a death watch. Laying a special railroad track to francklyn cottage. Down at elberon there is a weird scene to-night. Three hundred skilled engineers and workmen—a loyal company of sturdy patriots—are laying a temporary track to connect the main line with the cottages on the beach. To perform this work laborers have been gathered together; a supply of ties and rails lie waiting the strong hands that are to fling them into place. The length of the new track is 3,200 feet. It is to be laid directly to the hotel grounds, describing a curve to the very door of francklyn cottage, from whose windows we shall once more look upon the sea. Crowds of men and women, gathered from the various hotels, stand witnessing the scene. Reference
abstract/medium: 1 print: wood engraving. Date: 1881.
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