Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-07-27
GUITEAU'S PRISON LIFE.

WASHINGTON, July 25.-Prison fare
and dicipline have taken much of the
starch out of Guiteau, and have even
had good effect on his inordinate vanity.
When first confined he made frequent
complaints of his treatment. He regard
ed himself as an important parsonage, q
prisoner of state, and demanded better
care than was bestowed on his fellow
prisoners whom he designated as COM
mon fe]ons He protested against being
put on level with the other prisoners,
and said he was a gentleman accustomed
to having the best of fare and in fact, to
luxury, and insisted that he should be so
treated. His demands were often made
in an insulting manner and usually lg-
nored. He is fond of writing about
himself. and CONSUMES every scrap Of
paper he can get in this way. He has
not ceased to complain and demand bet
ter treatment, but his manner is changed.
He is more subdued and apparently
begins to realize that others do not
regard the crime in the light that he
does. The other day he complained he
did not get coffee enough. The warden
allowed him two cups at a meal while
the other prisoners get only one. This
concession served to revive his spirit of
self-impertance, and he forthwith began
to put on airs again. Then his extra
allowance of coffee was cut off whereup-
on he wrote lengthy letter to the war
den, couched in offensive language and
telling that officer that he was not fit to
have charge of man of such Importance
as Guiteau The warden paid no atten-
ton to the letter except to determine not
to allow Guiteau another favor, but to
confine him to the most rigorous prison
treatment. None of the guards are al
lowed to speak'to Guiteau. The warden
and his deputy, end the District-Attorney
and his assistant are the only persons
who are allowed to exchange any words
with the prisoner. When it is necessa-
w Tor enc Of these officials to see Gniteau
he is brought into the warden's office,
locked inside with the official and
guard stationed at the door. Guiteau
has abandoned all his foppishness. At
first i'll jail he was careful with his toilet
but now he comes into the warden's
room when sent for sometimes only half
dressed One time he appeared with
only shirt and pants on, with the pants
rolled up, and the last time he had on
nothing but his pants. He has never
been changed from one cell to anotherlas
reported. He is in the same cell that lie
was at first put in. Corkhill's order to
put him in solitary confinement and shut
him off from sight Of the others has not
been complied with, as the Jail has too
many prisoners to admit this. Besides
the warden considers Gfuiteau's present
mode of confinement about as solitary as
can we'll be in Jail so full of prisoners.
Guiteau has no desire to escape. He
knows the danger that he would incur
outside from the popular Indignation
He had first heard that the President was
getting we'll from the talk Of the guards.
He had been brought to the warden's
room to wait for the District Attorney,
and while sitting there Que OF the guards
remarked to another that the President
would recover.
To the warden and his deputy Guiteau
makes remarks going to show that he an
ticipates big sensational trial which will
make him a central figure.