Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-11-26
THE ASSASSIN GUITEAU.
Another Attempt to Take his Life
Foiled.

: Fooled.
On Saturday when the court had ad-
journed and Guiteau was put in the
van to be taken back to Jail there
was a man about twenty seven
years of age on sorrel horse within a
few feet of the vehicle. He followed at
some distance, and when it had reached
the intersection of East Capitol and
First streets, about three-quarters of a
, mile from the court house, he stopped
! his horse and fired into the left side OF
the van. This caused no little confu-
sion, and as soon as the policeman re-
turned the fire there was general rush
of people to the scene. For three days
the mounted guard that attended the
van had been discontinued. Saturday
Deputy Marshal Perry Carson, who
stood on the steps, and Policeman Ede-
! lin, who rode with the driver, constitut-
ed the only guard. Had there been a
mounted officer with the van it is hardly
probable that the attempt to shoot Gui-
team would have been made.
When Guiteau found that he was shot
at, which he realized at once, he
crouched down in the bottom of the We
hicle, not knowing but this was the
, first demonstration by mob. He cried
to the driver and guard to make for the
court house as fast as possible, the jail
being mile distant.
AS soon as the man fired he started
his horse at full speed, dashing in
front of the van, the policeman rising
: to his feet and shooting at him. The
assailant leaned forward on the side OF
his horse and urged the animal to its
full speed, going up First street toward
the boundary. The van at once stopped;
but, as the horses were refractory, it
was several minutes before pursuit could
be given.
AS the police suspected that the man
who fred of Guiteau was farmer named
William Jones, who lives about two miles
north of Washington, q detachment of
mounted men were at once sent in search
of the fugitive. Jones, instead of going
home, rode out near Bladensburg, and
is said to have told several persons what
|. he had done. By dint of careful inquiry
and describing the man, an officer soon
got on the trail, but did not recognize
Jones when he met him. Jones was
very communicative, and at last the
, officer told him he would arrest him.
Thereupon Jones put spurs to his horse
and, falling to one side, whirled his
, steed into the woods and made good his
escape, The officer fired at Jones, but
|, the bullet went wide of the mark. This
increased the vigilance of the pursuing
party, which secured the country in
every direction SO as to make sure of sur
rounding him. Between eight and nine
o'clock Saturday night Officer Cole met
: man in Mr.. Lyons house out on the
Bladensburg road, but did not know who
he was. After talking awhile he discov-
cred that 1t was Jones and at once ar
rested him. He brought the prisoner to
the Second precinct station, where he is
now confined.
Jones is well-known in police circles.
While he has been eccentric in his con-
duct he has not been considered insane.
It has been q favor1te sport with him
while intoxicated to pretend to be an
officer and ..terrify the weak and unof-
/ Tending. He has several times arrested
} boys and carried them to the station
3 house where he IS now lodged. Upon
l one occasion he arrested a negro woman
and tied her securely with ropes. This
conduct of his has been generally over
{ looked as he seemed to do it more for
amusement than injury to the persons.
, He has been before the police court sew
eral times, and is not regarded as a man
3 of strong character. He was at the
court room Saturday and was there seen
r to be under the influence of liquor. just
before the van left the Court House
. Jones saw where Guiteau was standing,
8 and had the prisoner not changed his
. position he would have received the bull
l let in the back. During the journey to
the Jail, after the shooting, Guiteau is
said to have been greatly alarmed, jump
ing about in the van like q terrified ami
, NAL in the street parade of a circus.
, Some who know Jones say that he is
a veritable crank. From police quarters
, it is learned that Jones is man of dissi-
pated habits, but is not crazy, except
when drinking to excess, as was the
, case to-day. He is a daring rider, and,
although often too drunk to walk, is
said to be always able to keep his saddle
and put his horse at full speed. His
, equestrian exploits this evening sur
prised many who saw him, but those
who knew the man say that when once
, he gets on horse he remains there
until it suits him to dismount.
, William Jones, charged with shoot
ing at Guiteau on Saturday, was taken
, to the police court at six o'clock Mon
day II orning. Judge Smell was on the
bench. A charge made against Jones
for assault and battery, with intent to
kill Charles j. Guiteau, was read. He
waived examination, and bail was fixed
at 5000, in default of which he was
committed to Jail, and the trial was
postponed indefinitely.
Guiteau had sufficient escort, no less
than eight mounted policemen being
detailed to guard him on the way to the
court. Hearrived at the Court House
as early as o'clock, but even at that
hour fully 800 people had assembled.
, When he descended from the van he
showed evident nervousness.
AS hew proceeding up the long open
ing, lined on each side with people, his
teeth chartered with fear. He moved
alongat an increased pace, desirous toget
out of the crowd as quickly as possible.
Arriving within the walls of the build
ing, he gave a sigh of relief, and he was
hurried up the stairs to await the as
sembling of the court, which was called
to order at 1908 o'clock. There was a
larger crowd than usual.
/ CHARLES JONES, one of the two miners