The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-11-26 00:00:00

ATTEMPT TO SHOOT THE PRISONER.

On Saturcjay (19th), the trial of Guiteau was re-
sumed. The court w•ts crowded, while a vast crowd
was unable to obtain .dmission.
Guiteau, on arriving atthe Court-house, ate a hearty
hreakfast. He expressed satisfaction at the progress
of the trial. During the proceedings in Court, the
prisoner frequently interrupted the witnesses giving
evidence concerning his personal habits. Colonel Rock-
well deposed to the details of the shooting of President
Garfield. Mr. Scoville said that a rehearsal was need-
less, and ad,led, "We admit the shooting." Guiteau
exclaimed, "The shooting, but not the killing."
The prisoner announced that he had invited three
more lawyers to assist him. He said that there was
plenty of brains for the prosecution, and he wanted
as much for the defence. -He called the judge's atten-
tion to the disreputable characters around the court,
and to the threats of violence made to him during the
past week. Guiteau continued : "I have no fear for
my personal safety, having beenfurr.ished with a body-
guard of police, if evil disposed persons attempt to
harm me, the police will shoot them down." Then,
nodding to the reporters, he added, "Put that down."
General Swaine and Dr. Bliss gave evidence concern-
ing President Garfield's illness and death. Dr. Bliss
made a detailed statement with regard to the medical
treatment of the late President, which was listened
to with breathless attention, except by the prisoner,
who manifested the utmost indifference, busying
himself with newspapers. Dr. Bliss stated that
the immediate cause of death was hemorrhage.
He was closely cross-examined by Mr. Robinson from
written interrogatories, apparently prepared by a
medical expert, with a tiew to reviving the plea of
malpractice. President Garfield's vertebra, was pro-
duced in court showing the fractures caused by the
bullet. Mr. Scoville and Guiteau examined it closely,
the former turning it over from side to side, the latter
showing no feeling except casual curiosity. The
prosecution objected to the plea of malpractice being
revived now and to the cross-examination of witnesses
being conducted on that ground. Dr. Bliss con-
tinued his evidence and swore that the main danger
to the late President arose from the injury to the
backbone and that the wound was necessarily mortal.
The Court then adjourned without any further scenes
occurring.
Shortly after the prison van containing Guiteau left
the Court-house, as it entered the Capitol grounds a
young man who had followed it rode rapidly up and
peered in. Lie saw where Guitoati was sitting,
and then dashed to the side of the van, fired
through it, rode to the front, and attempted to
stop the van in order to get another shot at the
prisoner. The driver, however, whipßed up his
horses, and the guard sitting by his side drew a
pistol. The horseman, exclaiming "I have killed
the villain ! " then put spurs to his horse and dashed
down East Capitol-street. The guard fired after him
without effect. Tfie van was driven quickly after
him, keeping him in sight along several blocks, but,
being well mounted, he easily distanced his pursuers
and disappeared. The van then proceeded to the gaol,
where Guiteau stepped out in a state of great excite-
ment. The bullet had just grazed his left wrist, in-
flicting a slight scratch. He exclaimed, "I have been
shot. -Notify the authorities to arrest the scoundrel
and have him dealt with as he deserves."

The attempt on Guiteau's life caused great excite-
ment throughout Washington. The prisoner was ter-
ribly frightened by the occurrence. The supposed
author of the attempt was arrested about a mile from
the city, and his name has been as_terta.ined to be
William Jones. Additional precautions will now be
taken to guard Guiteau, who has completely lost the
bravado he displayed on Saturday, and now appeals
piteously for protection.

An immense crowd again surrounded the Court-house on
Monday morning, filling the approaches to such an extent
that those engaged in the proceedings had great difficulty
in gaining access to the court, and the opening of the sitting
was in consequence delayed. Guiteau was escorted to the
court by a detachment of mounted police, an armed guard
being also posted on the van itself. The prisoner has
entirely recovered from his fright. He attributes his escape
to the interposition of Providence. He has declared that he
is not afraid to die, but he does not want to be •shot like a
dog until his conduct is vindicated.
On coming into court Mr. Robinson complained that he
had been treated with discourtesy, owing to his disagree-
ment with Mr. Scoville, and asked to be relieved from all
further connexion with the defence.
Guiteau thereupon exclaimed, "I want Robinson to stay
now.,,
Mr. Scoville tried to quiet the prisoner, who loudly in-
sisted that Mr. Robinson should beretained.
After a few words from Mr Scoville, who expressed his
regret at the disagreement which had arisen between him-
self and the assistant counsel, the Judge said he would
allow Mr. Robinson to retire from the case. Mr. Scoville
said he hoped he would not be compelled to conduct the case
without assistance.

Guitesu then loudly named several lawyers whom he wished
to retain; and he also gave notice that the plea of mal-
practice had not been abandoned, He again declared that
he appeared as his own counsel, and as the agent of the
Deity, who cared for him.
- -

TY-Ir'; hearing of evidence was then proceeded with. Drs.
Woodward and Lamb testified that the wound inflicted on
the late President was mortal, and they identified the ball
which was produced. With this evidence the case for the
prosecution ended.
Guiteau was then permitted to open his defence. Keeping
his seat, he said he was not aware that he was to speak
to-day. At this point Mr. Scoville whispered to him to
rise, but the prisoner angrily retorted, " I won't stand up."
Resuming his remarks to the Court, he said he would not
make a set speech, but would correct the proceedings as
they went along, contradicting all misstatements at the
moment they were made. He concluded by thanking the
Court for permission to speak.
Mr. Scoville then rose to address the Court for the de-
fence. He said the plain question to be decided was whether
the prisoner killed President Garfield, and whether his
mental Condition at the time was such as to render him re-
sp.insible for the act. Before the counsel had finished his
spec the Cotu tat his request adjourned.

;ech
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.
Guiteau reached the Court-house to-day without inciden.

_
and expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements made
by the police for his protection.

Among several medical experts present in court to•clay was
Dr. Rice, of Chicago, who, it is reported, advised that
Guiteau should be sent to a lunatic asylum four years ago for
emotional insanity.

Mr. Scoville resumed his opening speech, developing the
argument of insanity, and claiming that the burden of
proof that the prisor.er was sane rested with the prosecu-
tion As he alluded to the report that the prisoner was
feigning madness, Guiteau turned uneasily in his chair,
and with quick, nervous articulation, said, "I never feizn,
I act myself, sane or insane." Mr. Scoville proceeded
to show that insanity was hereditary in the prisoner's
family. It had affected his father, and of the ten
children of the prisoner's grandfather, four had been insane.
The learned counsel minutely detailed the prisoner's
history from childhood upwards, recounting his exploits,
eccentricities, weakiesses, and failures. Guiteau winced
as the latter were mentioned, and once pronounced Mr.
Scoville's statements with regard to his failure as a lawyer
false. He said he did not want to interfere with Mr.
Scoville's theory, but his facts were wrong. He wanted
the jury to understand his peculiarities, adding that there
were a good many people who would swear that he was
insane. The prisoner, however, generally appeared
amused and gratified with Mr. Scoville's narration,
especially with the hunaourous incidents, exclaiming, "Go
on; that's an interesting story and correct." Mr. Scoville
afterwards referred to the prisoner's religions experience,
his dependence upon the Lord to pay his debts, his unsuc-
cessful, lecturing and book-writing. Guiteau kept up a
running commentary of jocose remarks, but once exclaimed,
" I left a five-thousand-dollar law business to serve the Lord.
I was happier than ever when I was selling my lectures in
the street, for I was working for the Lord."

William Jones, the man who was charged with the attempt
to shoot Guiteau, has been released, bail being provided to
the amount of 5,000 dollars.—He was not identified by the
officers of the prison van.