Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-30

the influence of Mr.. Beecher AMI 1ouns
Mems Christian Associations. Beecher, up
10 that time. said Guiteau, was supposed TO
he yirtuous man. At this point, the court
took a recess
After recess Guiteau resumed the stand.
..He got thoroughly dis9usted with the
Oneida Community and thought he was IN
hell there, and made up his mind TO leave
them"
His letters written at this time. he thought,
suggested the state of his mind. He went 10
New York to establish a great religious paper
TO be called the .sTheocrat,' but met with no
announcement. the wise newspaper fellows
he consulted thought the name was enough
20 damn il. He got discouraged and thougns
he was going TO lose his soul He couidn
get anv relief SO went back again to the
Community He got relief there HIS IDEA
in establishing the .'Theocrat was 10 KIP
up all the churches and establish them over
again He staid with the Community "a
wear and finally left there in November, 1866,
since which time he has had nothing 70 90
with them. The reason he abandoned MS SUIT
against the Community was because beeeher
and his friends in New York were beginning
~ respect him and he did not want 10 dis
grace himself Nv having MS Noh''SSt- -
the Community known. '.You don't know, la
dies and gentlemen" said Guiteau, what
monstrous influence that Community had on
a mans mind. felt like slave, bound
hand and foot. was as unhappy and rest
less as could be without being crank mad
Guiteau then related in rapid and voluble
manner his movements after finally leaving
the Community and said he ''Did not look
for employment for a year because lac was
all the time trying to throw of the Onel-
da Community influence and was not In
proper mental condition to engage in busi-
ness. After visiting Chicago he returned to
New York in 1867 and tried for an editorial
position on the Independent and afterwards
on the Tribune. Bat" said Guiteau, they
were Well shipped and cram jam full SO L
did little canvassing for advertisements
and subscriptions to the Independent. Then
went to Chicago and after five months
steady application to the study of law was
admitted to the bar. Then l went right
round among high toned people. had good
references and on these and my personal APP
pearance ALWAYS got a good bu; ness. At
terward in New York had good business.
In Chicago made 81 600 year for two
wears and in New York | made 81 900 the
first wear and 50 500 the sec md. Then got
run down and got in debt. got democrat
lied on theology | had fuss with the New
York Herald and the last six months was
in New York had hard time. When you
get down every one is ready to give you a
kick | was thirty days in the tombs; have
been in Jail several times but never for
crime never was indicted before this time
in my life"
Guiteau then related his efforts to secure
the Chicago Inter-Ocean. He offered one
wealthy man to make him Governor of H.
linois if he would advance the money. He
did not make any direct promises of political
preferment to others. He consulted his old
friend Charlie Reed on the scheme.
''Reed put in s25 and l am sorry to say he
has not got it yet" said Guiteau.
Guiteau was questioned in relation to the
suit against the New YORK Herald for libel,
and explained that he sued the Herald for
500, 900, but never pressed it to trial, as he
thought he made mistake in suing for so
large amount" ''If, he added, had made
it $40, 900 instead of 100000, l would have
got verdict from the jury for $40, OOO''
Scoville-Why do you think so?
Guiteau-''Because if you sue for so large
sum it repulses people, and they say at
once. oh, he's badly cracked. offered to
compromise with Bennett and wrote him to
the effect would drop the suit if he would
Guiteau then related his experience as a
lecturer and resumed: "My theology never
made me much money. l never got much
sympathy, because my ideas were contrary
to those of most people. They have been
looking toward into the indefinite future for
the second coming of Christ. But l say
hold, gentlemen, you want to look right back
for the second coming occurred several hun
dred years ago. | never made any money
out of theology, but was always well fed.
The Lord took care of me as he always does
when I'm right, even I do owe few bills.
But tell YOU have faith in my little book
and sooner or later the Lord will give me
credit for it. Guiteau then related his varied
experiences and hardshps while pursuing his
life of lecturer. causing much amusement to
the audience.
Scoville-Did you realize your want of
success!
Guiteau-"Well thought about it some
but I knew it was none of my business to
think about success or failure of nv labors.
St. Paul didn't have any success either, but
he had some new ideas just as | had. He
led vagabond life and was in Jail half the
time, but the Lord took care of him. Imade
up my mind that the Lord would take care of
me. | would do His work and let Him take
care of my board bills. When had money
paid my bills. When had no money to
paw my fare on railroads told the conductor
| was working for the Lord and they gener-
ally said ''all right | suppose you would
call it dead heading" but / don't, l was
working for the Lord, and | looked upon it
that he was taking care of me. Why, l rode
all the way from Toledo to Washington and
ouly got put off twice.
The court here adjourned before Guiteau
finished his testimony.