Changes

Upon realizing that his effort to obtain a position within the Garfield Administration were futile, Guiteau sought to "save" the spoils system by killing Garfield to elevate Stalwart Vice President Chester Arthur to commander-in-chief.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> After stalking the president for some time, Guiteau assassinated Garfield on July 2, 1881 with a pistol. When caught at the scene and dragged away, he exclaimed:<ref>Bellamy, Jay. [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau A Stalwart of Stalwarts: Garfield’s Assassin Sees Deed as a Special Duty]. ''National Archives''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>

Upon realizing that his effort to obtain a position within the Garfield Administration were futile, Guiteau sought to "save" the spoils system by killing Garfield to elevate Stalwart Vice President Chester Arthur to commander-in-chief.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> After stalking the president for some time, Guiteau assassinated Garfield on July 2, 1881 with a pistol. When caught at the scene and dragged away, he exclaimed:<ref>Bellamy, Jay. [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau A Stalwart of Stalwarts: Garfield’s Assassin Sees Deed as a Special Duty]. ''National Archives''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>

{{I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. Arthur is now President!|||Guiteau, July 2, 1881}}

{{cquote|I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. Arthur is now President!|||Guiteau, July 2, 1881}}

Delusional under the belief that he would be treated as a hero, Guiteau claimed in his trial when Garfield later died in a hospital:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/>

Delusional under the belief that he would be treated as a hero, Guiteau claimed in his trial when Garfield later died in a hospital:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/>