The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-09-20
THE ATTEMPT TO KILL GUT
EAU.
, Sergeant Mason Not to be Tried by
Court-IartiaI for His OffenSe.

WASHINGTON, September II There
will be eno court.martial in tie case OF
Sergeant Mason, who last evening made
q target of Gulleau His offense is one
against the civil, not the military law.
1t is not thought at the War Department
that there will he any trial. The opin-
ion that Mason was not in his right
mind when he did the firing is the pre-
valent one among officials OF the War
Department. The civil authorities may
move in the matter and prosecute Ma
sob, Jut i, Is not thought that they will
do so.
Mason is confined at the Arsenal, and
says: 81 only regret that l did not kill
him" When asked when he had formed
the idea to shoot GutteaI, he answered
when the attempted assassination was
made by the scocndrelf first heard Of
it in Texas on train where there were
number of soldiers, and ! secretly re-
solved if ever | was put in position or
had the opportunity TO kill tile assassin.
On Sunday morning | loaded my rnusket,
knowing lat l was going on duty, with
the intention uf shooting him the first
chance got When we arrived at the
Jail l walked 10 where 1 could get the
range of his window, and fired. 1 am
perfectly sane, and If had killed him |
would be willing to remain in prison the
remainder OF my life. If restored to
duty will sLcot him as svon as get o
chance"
General r. B. Ayres, the command.
ant at the Barracks Arsenal, to-day had
an interview with MIR. j. S. Digelow,
Mason's attorney, and stated that the
military authorities, while they we're OF
the opinion that Mason could have a
fair trial by court-marlial, were perfectly
willing that be should be surrendered to
the civil authorities. No action has
been taken by District.Attorney Cork.
bill r, garding the matter, and he says
that he has no notice officially about the
case II was rumored to day that the
Grand Jury, in resuming its session, o,
once took up the caseo Guiteau, charged
with shooting the President, but the re.
port was altogether premature
DETAILS or THE SHOOTING.
Captain McGilray, the officer OF the
guard to which Mason belonged. says
"As we halted in front of the Jail dis.
mounted from the wagon and epassed
rapidly to the rear of it to gel few ar.
iicles that brought up for use during
the night AS l turned away from th.
wagon with my basket in my hand wa.
somewhat startled by the report OF s
rife. As I had not yet Relieved Maj,
Graves, whose sentinels were still arount
the Jail building, at first thought tha
the shot had been fired by one of hi
men. As stepped forward / saw .
man standing just in front of the win
dow that looks up to the window o
Guiteau's cell holding his piece present
ell, evidently having just fred it. Still
under the impression that 1t was one o
Major Graves's men. I walked .rapidl
forward, and as approached him I wa
amazed to see that il was Sergeant Ma
son, Of my company, my first sergeant
He was very much excited, and said
I"I fred the shot, captain, and interde
to kill the scoundrel. / did not enlis
to guard an assassin I took his arm
from him and placed sentinel owe
him s-s
The prisoners who could look ont Q
their windows and had been aroused be
gan to scream and shout, and on th
inside Of the Jail scene OF the greates
excitement prevailed. Warden Crocke
and Deputy Russell, with several guard
on duty who were conversing in the oil
ice of the Jail, sprang to their feet whe
the report of rifle rang through th
corridor, and naturally guessing what
meant, ran towards Guiteau's cell. The
found the latter on his knees, with q
expression of horror 10 bis face. "Gres
God |" he exclaimed when Crocke
Hooked into his cell. "What do thes
men mean, anyway2 Do they want t
murder me ?" "Why, mo-. What ar
you talking shout2" answered Crockel
who had not learned what the troubl
was. swell. just this" Guiteau replied
II have heen shot at again. / wa
standing at my window just now whe
shot was fired by one of those soldier
outside. and the bullet passed my cal
went through my coat hanging up there
cutting in pieces the photograph of m
old mothor - s.D,d IL STRIKE Won Of oil ?
asked Crocker.. "No; but it frightene
J me nearly to DEATH" After cnnsults
,ion it was agreed to inform Guitea
that tue shooting was accidental, and b
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