When a New York Times reporter sought out Vice President Chester Allen Arthur to get a statement following the death of President James Garfield,

Arthur's valet turned the reporter away.

He is sitting alone in his room, the valet explained, sobbing like a child.

To be president of the United States was the last thing Arthur wanted. Vice President, a position with limitless

privileges and almost no responsibilities, that was the job for him, and he was

having a grand time of it until an assassin's bullet changed everything.

Garfield did not die immediately. There were days when it looked like he would recover, but then he would fade again.

It didn't help that his doctors used their unwashed hands to try to recover bullet fragments.

When Garfield finally succumbed on September 19th, 1881, Arthur had to face the music.

He was now the 21st President of the United States.

At least he looked the part. A fastidious dresser, he was known to try on 20 pairs of

pants before choosing one. He cut an imposing figure. He was heavy set with a thick mustache

and mutton shop sideburns.

Born in Fairfield, Vermont on October 5, 1829,

he was the 5th of nine children.

His father was a preacher and committed abolitionist, whose strong views on this subject

forced him to move the family from town to town.

Despite never being in one place for long, Arthur made friends easily.

A conscientious student, he attended Union College,

became president of the Debate Society, and pursued a law degree.

As a lawyer, Arthur took a lead role in major civil rights cases, including one that led to the desegregation of the New York City streetcar lines.

After the Civil War, where he rose to the rank of Brigadier General and distinguished himself as a quartermaster, the person responsible

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