Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-11-23
Trial of Rufteaus

Trial Of 6uiteaus
First Ddy.-The trial OF Guiteau fot murder
was begun on Monday Nov. 14th, wheh FIVE
jurors wore secured. The assassin created =
number Of scenes. His counsel, Robinson;
asked for . further postponement on the
ground that 1t would take some further time to
obtain material witnesses and the assiatance of
another lawyer. Guitesu sprang to b,s feet,
and notwithstanding the femonstrances Of biz
officials, said that be did not want postpone
ment, that Robinson had no business TO ask foT
postponemeut, and that he (Guitoasy was
prepared to 20 on With his own case. Scotlle
ALSO declared that he wantedthe case proceeded
with. Judge Coz decided that the trial pro-
ceed at least to the extent Of impaneing the
jury, but Ut the same time he assured Robinson
that he would give ample time to prepare his
case. The selection Of jury Was then pro-
ceeded with, sud before adjournment five
Jurors were chosen.
Second Dav.-Guiteau was hurried into court
in the custody Of bali dozen policemen and
deputy marshals. His handcuds were removed,
when he shook hands with his brother and
sister and seated himself beside bis counsel
When the ninth juror had been drawn the list
of seventy five names became exhausted and
the court adjourned, after ordering new list
made out. The prisoner was hOoted and jeered
at as he returned to the prison van.
Third Day.-Shortly after the court opened
and while the drawing Of the remainder Of the
jury was being proceeded with, the prisoner
was ushered in. He was Wild and excited, and
tossing his hat on the desk commenced an
earnest conversation with Mr.. Scoville, using
his clenched fist Vigorously as if insisting on
some matter which scovflJe diaapproved of.
The twelfth juryman having been drawn
short recess was taken, after which the jury
| was sworn in as whole and the court
| adjourned. Previous to adjournment Guiteau
sclibbled of an appeal to the legal profession
of the country to aid him in his dilemma.
Fourth Day-.The real business of the
trial was commenced. United States Dis
trict Attorney Corkbill made an i'm
pressive aud effective argument in opening the
case, after which the examination of witnesses
was commenced, Secretary Blaine being the
first. After short recess Juflson w: Whee-
lock, of Virginia, Geo. II. Adams, publisher,
and Jacob p. snl lith. janitor Of the railroad
depot. the minister from Venezuela, Mrs. Sarah
| B. White, matron at the depot, and Robert A.
Parke, ticket agent, testified to the circumstan-
ces Of the shooting. The prisoner was fretful
and turbulent, and frequently Interrupted At
torney Corkhill and the witnesses. He was
| finally removed from the court room, making
angry demonstrations the while.
| Fifh Ddy.-A number of witnesses were ex-
ahmed, and the thread-base details OF the
shooting scene ut the depot told over and over
again. A stir was occasioned by the exhibition
! OF the pistol with when the Iatal oeed Wae
committed. The prisoner became so noisy that
Judge Coke threatened to remove him if he did
not desist. He made an impudent reply, but
nevertheless remained quiet thereafter. SEQ
vile gave notice that the defense would be
based on the ground Of insanity.
9tstA Dav.-saturday, November 19. wit
messed tho gixth day of the RreatcFinninal trial
The most significant incident Of the day was
the remark Of Guiteau after his counsel, Mr.
sconlle, remarked to the court that they ad.
"Not the killing, yonr honor; we admit the
shooting, thus showing that the willy ASSASSIN
hopes to escape by proving malpractice by tht
surgeons. DR.. Bliss was on the stand and il
the course Of his testimony introduced the up
per portion Of wired skeleton for the purpose
Of illustration. A section of the late President
verteDrB was also produced and shown to the
jury. Guiteau viewed the CHASTITY memento Of
his horrible deed while 1t was in the hands OF
bis attorney, but exhibited no emotion e1cep
that OF common Cul1Oelty.