The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-07-27
All HIM.
The District Attorney gives "a Detailed
statement OF GuIeeeau's Dolng
at Washington

The District Attorney gives "a Detailed
statement OF G~uIeeeau's Doings
at Washington.
United States District Attorney Corkhill
furnishes the following for publication. The
interest felt by the public in the details of the
assassination and the many stories published
justify me in stating that the following is a
correct and accurate statement concerning
the points to which reference is made: The
assassin, Charles J. Guitteau, came to Wash
ington Sunday evening, March 9th, 1881, and
stopped at the Ebbit House, remaining there
only one day. lie then secured a room in
another part of the city, and has boarded
and roomed st various places, full details of
which I have. Wednesday, May 18, 1881.
the assassin determined to murder the Presi-
dent. He had neither money nor pistol at
the time. About the last of May he went in
to O'Mear's store, corner fifteenth and E
streets, in this city and examined some pis-
tolls, asking for a large calibre. He was
shown two similar in calibre, and only diff
ferent in price. Wednesday, June8 he pur-
chased the pistol which he used, for which
he paid $40, he having in the meantime bow
roWed $15 Of 8 gentleman in this city, On the
plea that be wanted to pay his board bill.
On the same evening, about r o'clock, he
took the pistol and went to the foot of Sew
enteenth street, and practiced firing at q
board, firing ten shots. He then returned to
hiG n0a r1J i'm r haEYca yrirnS tho r1ofol I~vy o1od
wrapped it in his coat, and waited his oppor-
tunity. Sunday morning, June 10, he was
sitting in Lafayette park, and saw the Presi-
dent leave for the Christian church on Yer
mont avenue, and he at once returned to his
room, obtained his pistol, put it in his hip
pocket, and followed the President to church.
He entered the church, but found he could
not kill him there without danger of killing
some one else. After church he made an
examination of the window and found that
he could reach it without trouble, and that
from this point he could shoot the President
through the head without killing any one
else. The following Wednesday he went to
the church. regained the location of the win
dow, and became satisfied he could accom-
plish his purpose, and determined therefore
to make the attempt at church the following
Sunday. He learned from the papers that
the President would leave the city Saturday,
the 18Th Of June, with Mrs. Garfield for
Long Branch. He therefore determined to
meet him at the depot. He left his boarding
place about five o'clock Saturday morning,
June 18th, and went to the river to the foot
Of Seventeenth Street, and fired five shots
for practicing his arm, and to be certain his
pistol was in good order. He then went to
the depot and was ii the ladies waiting room
Of the depot with his pistol ready when the
President and party entered. He saw Mrs.
Garfield looked 80 weak and frail he had not
the heart 10 shool the President il her pres
ence, and as he knew he would have another
opportunity he left the depot. He had pre-
viously engaged q carriage to take him to
Jail, On Wednesday evening the President
and bis son and | think United States Mar
shall Henry went out for ride. The assas-
took his pistol and followed them. He
watched them for some time in hopes the
carriage would stop, but no opportunity was
given. Friday evening, July 1st, he was sit
ting on a seat in the Park opposite the White
House, when he saw the President come out
alone. He followed him down the avenue to
Fife enth street, and then kept the opposite
side Of the street up Fifteenth until the Pres
ident entered the residence of Secretary
Blaine. He waited at the corner Of Morton's
late residence, corner Of Fifteenth and
streets, for some time, and then as he was
afraid he would attract attention, he went |
into an alley in the rear Of Morton's resi-
dence, examined his pistol and waited. The
President and Secretary Blaine came out to-
gether, and he followed them over to the
gate Of the White House, but could get no
opportunity to use his weapon. On the
morning Of Saturday, July I'd. he break
tasted at the Riggs House about 7 o'clock.
He then walked up to the Park and sat there
until he started for the depot.