Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-12-08

Guiteau then resumed the narrative
of his experience at
TRYING TO LECTURE.
He once tried to lecture against Bob
Ingersoll, who was to deliver a lecture
against hell, while he (witness) propos-
ed to lecture On the existence of a he'll.
While he found, however, "people
very ready to pay fifty cents to hear
that there was no hell. they would not
pay a cent to hear that there was a
hell"
The witness was asked to identity a
book handed him, he said: "Oh, yes;
it is my revised work, called "a Com
panion Book to the Bible. [ have not
seen it since It was taken from me when
I was arrested"
the witness then desired to read a
passage, and read a page or two de-
scriptive of the trials OF the apostles in
endeavoring to introduce Christianity,
''That was just my case" said Guiteau,
striking his fist on the desk; 81
sTRoyE TO ENLIGHTEN THE WORLD.
just as Paul did. [ had no money and
no friends, and [ had just about as
rough a time as the apostle had"
The witness then related his expert
ences in the state department, and his
interviews with Secretary Blaine, de-
scribing as he termed it, the n1odaas ope-
randi of getting at the secretary of state.
Witness described his last interview
with Blaine, who rather hurt his
feelings by his abrupt manner,
which was in contrast with his
previous cordially. The witness then
determined to see the president, and
with considerable exhibition of excite
ment related his efforts to see the pres
ident. Witness continued that the
party was at lager head and [ got very
much worried over it. | wrote that
something must be done, but he paid
no attention to it." ~ kept worrying"
he continued, cover the political situa-
ton, and knew that this nation was
coming to grief"
Witness was then asked as to the in
spiration which he said impelled him
to remove the president, and he re-
piled:
'"The inspiration, as [ understand it,
is where a mans mind is in possession
Of and by the Supreme power, where
he acts outside Of himself"
Witness then desired to read
from q printed pamphlet, pur-
porting to be an interview with prison
er, giving his theology subject.
Counsel for prosecution objected to
the reading or the use of it by witness
to refresh his memory.
A discussion ensued, prisoner insist.
ing that he was not feeling we'll, that he
had not yet gotten over his Thanksgiving
indulgence, and did not feel able to
state it so thoroughly now as he did
then.
The court ruled against the use OF
the slip, and Guiteau resumed sudden
ly:
con Wednesday evening, after Conk-
ing's resignation, | thought if Presi-
dent Garfield was out of the way all
would go we'll"
He tried to shake it off, but it
grew, in fact, in onenights time it
had become d fixed resolve. He
has never doubted since that time,
about the first of January, that he
was inspired. He prayed and
prayed, asking God if Garfield were
not to be thus removed, to get rid OF
him in some other way. The removal
was necessary to save the nation from
ruin. He knew the Lord employed
him because he always employed the
best material. (Ha! Hall II felt the
Lord wanted to do it to advertise my
book" No allusion was made by wit
ness to the immediate incidents of the
shooting.
Guiteau said he believed in specia,
providence and had no concern about
personal safety. He felt that the Lord
and government would take care Of
him. '"The Lord" he added, " is nc
fool. He uses the best means for his
work, and he has provided all these
guards, the court and jury, to do hi:
work and preserve me-"
Scoville-Have you distinct recol
lection of the incidents of the I'd Of
July?
Guiteau (smilingly)-Oh. yes! Ger
tainly. Witness then briefly recited
his arrest and incarceration with
as little feeling as one would
exhibit in relating the commonest Incl
dents Of every dav life.
"When [ was finally lodged in all,
said Guiteau, ~ felt happy; I said
thank God, it is all over with"
After few questions bad bee- pro
pounded and objected to, Guiteau
broke out: 81 want to define my posi-
ton on one point l believe Gen. Ar
thur IS friend of mine; he ought tt
be, for | am the man that made him
my inspiration did-but | have never
yet asked favor of him, and don't sup
pose | ever shall"
FIFTEENTH DAY.
Gulteau was put on the stand agair
to-day, and was crowded closely on the
cross examination by Judge Porter. He
was much given to fat contradictions
and at times wholly refused to answer
questions.
Once he emphasized his contradiction
by saying: Anything 1 swear to
Judge, Is true. You can put that down
as a fixed fact"
Being pressed as to how he proposed
to raise the funds which he said he was
expecting to receive, witness replied
that he intended to borrow it from
some of his friends, and added: a
will tell, you, judge, how 1 borrow
money. 1t may be of service to you
when you want to borrow for yourself
l don't lie or sneak, but go right up tc
man and ask him for what want.
Witness was closely questioned about
the purchase of the pistol, and was
asked why he bought one with an ivory
handle instead of a plain one. He re-
nlia6. @ Racause / thnunht Il u,n,.th q