The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-11-24
auIrEAU SHOT,!

GUITEAU SHOT!
struck In tho Arm-But slightly
Wounded.
On Saturday afternoon, IS Guitsau,
the assassin OF President Garfield, was
being removed from the court rsom
in Washington to the prison, an at
tempt was made to murder him, but
failed, the bullet only abradIng the
skin on his left forearm, and doing
but slight injury. The driver of the
prison van gives tho following account
OF the affair:
"Upon adjournment Of the court
the van started as usual for tho Jail,
having ono policeman on guard, who
sat on the seat with the driver. Be.
fere reaching the Capitol tho guard
noticed young man On horseback,
-iding lies1rely behind the van. Near
the corner Of East Capitol and First
street the hsrsenan rode directly up
to the rear Of the van and hastily
pseked through the small grating.
Gulteau was alone in the van, and
seated on the right hand side, the seats
running lengthwise Of the van. After
evidently satisfying himself Of the
location of the prisoner, the horseman
wheeled suddenly to the left Of the
van and fred directly through it. He
then dashed to. the front Of tho van
and pointed his pistol at the driver
with evident intention OF intimida-
ting him or stspping the van.
THE DRIVER EXCITED.
The driver was somewhat excited,
and in response to an inquiry o: the
reporter, said perhaps he intended to
stop the van by shooting one of the
horses. Seeing an armed policeman
by the side of the driver, he exclain-
ed, "I've shot the - and put
ting spurs to his horse, dashed down
East Capitol street in tho direction OF
the Congregational Cemetery. A po-
licsmau fred one shot at the fast dis.
appearing horseman, and tho driver
Of the van whipped his horse into .
gallsp aud kept in sight Of him for
several blocks. Tho would-be avenEer
was, hewever, mounted on blooded
horse, and readily escaped out into
the country. He was described as 3
smooth faced man, about 25 ysars of
age, and dashlng horseman. He had
on dark brown suit. The van then
proceeded to the Jail, and Guiteau was
taken ont in state of great excite
ment. He exclaimed, II have been
shot. Notify Major Brock at snce.
Toll him to arrest the scoandrel, ana
have him dealt with as he deserves"
On examination, it was found that the
ball had just grazed Guiteau's left
wrist, inficting = mere scratch. The
ball struck the opposite side of the
van and fell upon the floor, whore it
was found on reaching the Jail.
WILD RUMoRs.
The announcement of tho Attonpt
upon Guitsau's life created intsnss
excitement upon the streets, and all
sorts Of rumors were 1t onco put int
circulation. The would be killer was
seen about the court. house this after
noon, and be attempted to gain ad
mission during the day, but failed.
He was also seen to mount his horse
near the courthouse, sosn after the
van left, and ride liesurely after it.
1t was rsmorsd that he hailed from
Illineis, but there seems 10 be no
foundation for tho report. It was
whispered in the crowd without tho
csurt-house just previous to adjourn.
mont that to-day would be the last
day Of his trial. A remark was alse
heard in the crowd, that ii one want
cd to see Guitesu, they had better Dc
so to-day. This would lead to the
belief that more than one person was
aware that the attempt would be made.
SLIGHTLY WOUNDED, BUT TERRIBLY
FRIGHTENED.
Guiteau was shot In the right FORE
arm, but it is only . slight flesh wound.
He was terribly frightened. When he
got 10 the jail. he said 10 the officer in
charge of the guard: "Tell Detective
Voss and Marshal Williams that
want q double guard sent down to
the Jail and to take me up to tho court
Monday mersing." He sAys the fail
ure to kill him 10 another evidence
that the Lord il taking care of him,
and will net let any harm come to
him.
FIRED TWICE.
The assailant fred twice at Guiteau,
but only enc shot struck him. He
was q large man, and as soon as he
thought Guiteau was hit he rode eli
ct fall gallop. He intercepted the
prisoners van at Fret and B street
north east, and rode ss If he was
merely geing by the van. Suddenly
he stopped close mp against it and
fred. He could not see Gniteau, but
was taking his chances on hitting hum
by shooting through the van. Gui
teaH's wound 10 80 slight that i. will
not interfere witk his trial en- Monday.
1t was reported that he had been kill
ed, and there was considerable excite
ment.
A drunken crank named William
Jones was afterwards arrested, charg-
ed with doing the shooting, which he
denied when sufficiently sober to an
derstand the situation. Oficsr Edelin,
declared he was not the man, and we'd
swear to it. After an examination in
the Police Court, Jones was commit
ted in default Of $1,000 bail.