Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-08-17
NO.. a.,
THE PRISONER GUITEAU.

Officials at the jail state that Guiteau
is very tractible prisoner. The repre-
sentations frequently made that he is
restless and querulous are not founded
on facts His diet has been the subject
Of much comment, and, when he was
first taken to jail he suffered little with
arrangement of the bowels and
at the suggestion cf the jail physician,
DIR. Young, he was given tea instead of
coffee. Coffee sweetened with molasses
is served to the prisoners as rule, molas-
ses being administeredsas a,laxative as the
prisoners get little ex ercise. In Guiteau's
case, coffee was omitte from the bill of
fare for while, but now he frequently
asks for coffee and gets it. He evinces
considerable interest in his diet, but not
more so than is customary with prisoners,
and he does not complain. Beef seems
at present to be one of the main objects
of his life. He shows little concern inst
now about anything except his meat.
He has lost no flesh since his confine-
ment, and if anything is in better condi-
ton than when taken to jail. He is now
appa rently in excellent health, eats and
sleeps soundly. He is more composed
now and less nervous than when first
taken to jail.
Since the first week of his confinement
Guiteau has not made much allusion to
the motive of his crime, when, before the
excitement passed away, he frequently
proclaimed himself as F'Stalwart of the
Stalwarts," and announced that he had
been inspired to commit the crime. He
is not now communicative, one reason
being that he has no one to communicate
with. The guards at the jail do not care
to converse with him; soldiers are not
permitted to. There are three reliefs at
the Jail, consequently, only three guards
come in contact with the prisoners The
soldier vino does guard duty near his
cell is relieved every six hours Guiteau
has settled down, the officials say, to
await philosophically, for the result At
no time since his confinement, it is stated
by his attendants, has he shown anv
manifestation of sorrow or remorse. He
shows some anxiety about the Presidents
condition and hopes he will recover.
The prospect of being punished for MUIR
der does not now seem an agreeable one,
as Guiteau now feels satisfied that the
people would not now justify his act.
He never halls prisoners passing his cell
to inquire for the news from the Presi-
dent, as he is to separated from the other
prisoners that none Of them pass his cell.
The prisoners that come to his cell occas-
ionally to clean up, are closely watched
by the guard. Guiteau' in fact shows
no desire to communicate with the pris-
oners He considers himself above them,
and does not care for any communica-
ton with them. He does not regard
himself as belonging to the criminal
cl ass.
Guiteau reads his bible almost con-
stantly. The warden asked him if he
found anything new in the bible, and he
replied: II find many things that [
like to read" He has been reported as
being engaged in writing material for his
autobiography. These reports arise from
the fact the he was occupied for some
| time in writing points about himself
where he was born, places where he had
lived who his relatives were, etc., for the
benefit of the authorities. He is furnish
ed with paper, pen and ink when he
wants to write.
Guiteau has been confined in Jail over
five weeks. 1t is rather singular fact
that no one has ever called upon him at
the Jail with friendly purpose; that
during his wanderings in this city he
never made one friend who manifests
any substantial interest in him; that
no letter has been received by
Guiteau profering him council or
assistance. Such an absolute destitu-
ton of friends is something unprecedent-
ed, even in the case of the meanest
criminals. He has never asked to have
ANYBODY sent for. 1t will be remembered
that he arranged, when he planned
the asasination of the President, to be,
driven directly to Jail, hoping thereby TO-
escape popular fury.
From what can be learned of Guiteau's
idea, it is apparent that in case the.
President had been killed, he never
expected to suffer for the crime. He
! had, in his fanatical frenzy worked him
self up to pitch where he considered it
his duty to remove the President in Or
der to make room for one who, III his
opinion, would be more just to all parties
He thought, that when the change came;
the people would come to look at the
matter in the same light, and he would
be regarded as public benefactor.