Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-12-08

spiration which he had said "impulled
| j II to remove the President" alid re-
pied: AN inspiration, as | understand
it, is where mans mind is taken pes
session of by supreme power; where lie
acts outside of himself" He then de-
sired to read from printed slip pur-
porting to be an interview with the
prisoner. giving his theory ON the sub
ject. The counsel for the prosecution
objected to the reading or to the use of
it by witness to refresh his memory. A
discussion ensued, the prisoner insisting
that he was not feeling well; had not
vet gotten over his Thanksgiving indul-
so thoroughly now as he did then.
The Court ruled against the use of the
slip, and Guiteau resumed:
Suddenly on Wednesday evening after
Conkling's resignation, he thought if
President Garfield was out of the way
all would go well. He tried to shake it
off, but it grew. In a fertnight's time it
had become a fixed resolve. He never
has doubted since that time, about the
1st Of June, that he was inspired. He
prayed and prayed, asking God if Gar
field were not to be thus removed, to get
rid of him in some other way. The re-
moval was necessary to save the nation
from ruin. al knew the Lord employed
me, because He always employs the best
mOterial l felt the Lord wanted me to
do it, to advertise my book" No allu-
sion was made by witness to the imme-
diate incidents of the shooting. Recess.
After recess Guiteau said he believed
in special providence. and had no con-
Germ about personal safety. He felt the
Lord and the Government would take
care of him. "The Lord" he added, "is
no fool. He uses the best means for His
work, and He has provided all these
guards, the Court and jury and these ex-
perts to do his work and preserve me"
Mr. Scoville-Haye you distinct re-
collection of the incidents of the I'd of
July?
Guiteau-(smilingly) Oh, yes, certain
ly-
eUITEAU's PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.
The witness then briefly .recited his
arrest and incarceration with as little
exhibitihn of feeling as one would ex-
hibit in relating the commonest incl
dents of every day life, "When l was
finally lodged in Jail" said Guiteau, IL
felt happy. l said thank God il is all
over with After few questions had
been propounded and objected to Gui-
teau broke out II want to define my pO-
sition on tqis one point. believe Cen
eral Arthur is a friend of mine; he
ought to be for I am the man that made
him President or my inspiration did, but
L have never yet asked a favor of him
and don't suppose ever shall" Gni-
teau continued: "a few weeks ago / ad-
dressed James G. Bennett note sug-
gesting he send me $4,000, and think it
very likely he will send it. l owe prob
ably $1,000 and that Is every cent do
owe in the world, and if Bennett sends
me the money l shall pay OF some of my
boarding bills. The Herald did me a
great deal of damage in 1874, but Bennett
is a good hearted fellow. / have an idea
in my head for twenty years l should be
pose people think / have been badly
cranked about that. l had the idea in
the Oneida community. went to Bos-
ton with the distinct feeling l was on
the way to the White House, and shall
make it yet. "a laugh spread through
the audience at this prediction.) If am
ever President" continued the witness,
at will be by the act of God. l shall get
the nomination as Lincoln and Garfield
did, and I snail be elected as they were.
l anticipate a decided change of public
opinion in regard to me. The idea has
been in my head for twenty years that
would be President. 1 did not want to
get the Herald down on me. That is all
the reason why 1 did not push my suit
against it. 1 don care now snap of
my fingers about being President. ! don't
care anything about it. l don't know |
that should take it if were actually |
nominated and elected" The witness
related the story of his personal" invi-
ting correspondence with view to mat
rimony and said, 81 want to say word |
now in reference to my divorced wife,"
The Court-No, not now.
The Prisoher-I do not know any, !
thing about her, nor have [ known for |
wears, but she had no business to come |
here for the prosecution.
Questioned about the revised edition |
of Truth" witness answered: There |
is no money in that business in any way, |
shape or manner, and never has been. |
When Col. Corkhill came to me and |
talked of some great men backing me
with money, and all that kind of non-
sense, told him about my circumstan-
ces and convinced him l had no money"
THE CROSS EXAMINATION.
Judge Porter now began the cross ex-
animation.
The prisoner bore the examination
with considerable self-possession. al
though he occasionally got Hurried and
excited.
Question: determined to kill
Gen. Garfield. did you notp
Answer-I decline to answer that.
That is very strong way to put it(with
some exitementl 1 consider myself the
agent Of Deity in the matter. / had no
personal volltion in the matter.
Question Did you say to officer Scott,
on leaving the depot after the murder,
"Gen. Arthur is now President?'
Answer-I decline to answer that.
Question-Why do you object to an
swering thatY
Answer suppose l did say that.
Then he added excitedly9 l want 1t
distinctly understood 1 did not do that