 The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was deemed a fluke due to the Civil War , and Garfield , like most people , saw no reason why the president should be guarded ; Garfield 's movements and plans were often printed in the newspapers . Guiteau knew the president would leave Washington for cooler climes on July 2 , and made plans to kill him before then . He purchased a gun he thought would look good in a museum , and followed Garfield several times , but each time his plans were frustrated , or he lost his nerve . His opportunities dwindled to one — Garfield 's departure by train for New Jersey on the morning of July 2 , 1881 . 
