President James A. Garfield died over two months after he was shot by an assassin, Charles Guiteau.

[5] Arthur was at home around midnight on the night of September 19, 1881, with Police Commissioner Stephen B. French, District Attorney Daniel G. Rollins, and attorney Elihu Root, when he learned in a telegram from members of Garfield's cabinet that Garfield had died.

[6] The cabinet members wired Arthur their advice that he should "take the oath of office as president of the United States without delay.

"[6] It was after midnight when Arthur and his guests dispatched messengers to locate a judge who could administer the presidential oath.

[6] After traveling to Washington, D.C., Arthur was inaugurated again two days later by Chief Justice of the United States Morrison R. Waite in a public Capitol Hill ceremony.