River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-29

the prisoner, that he Is sane man.
The hypothetical questions put to DR..
Wooster yesterday were then read to
the witness, ard he replied: II should
say he was sane.
the witness was questioned at great
length, and his answers were indicative
of great conservatism of opinion.
Scoyille asked: "Well, doctor, how
old do you think physician ought to
be before he is able to distinguish be-
tween sane and an insane man2'
Witness replied that he thought Me-
thusalah himself was not old enough to
accurately distinguish between sane
and insane people.
Guiteau Laughing That's the best
thing you said yet, Doctor. Ladies and
gentlemen, YOU see I'm letting Seoville
do most Of the talking to-day. I'm
keeping quiet. opened my mail my
self this morning, holding up 20 or
more letters; pretty good mail too, and
only one crank letter in the whole t.
All from heightened people too, they
are beginning to think better of me
outside. hightoned ladies are sending
for my autograph. They think am a
big man, but don't care snap
whether | am big man or little one.
The prisoner then busted himself read
ing his letters, and soon broke out
again saying, well | did not notice this
before, ladies and gentlemen, have
Just received letter from DR.. SpitZke,
In which he says he has
received 200 letters since he returned
from Washington, all congratulating
him on his testimony; that he had
only two threatening ones, ard two
from lunatics. A pretty good showing,
| think, when | came on here for
nothing, and did not get cent, while
these fellows are handsomely paid by
the government. Then here is another
from Mr. Beatty.
Judge Cox-Well, that will do, pris-
oner; we have not time to listen to the
reading of your correspondence.
Guiteau-All right, sir.
Recess.
After recess Shaw was called and
Scoville gave him notice to defend his
character, as he had four witnesses to
introduce whose testimony he Shaw
would want 10 meet. Adjourned.
THIRTIETH DAY.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 23--Imm ediately
upon the opening uf the court, Guiteau
desired to be heard, and without any
show of excitement said, at is said
that have been abusing Scoville; now
the fact of the matter is | want to make
a speech about that. Scoville is doing
very well in this case, considering his
theory, but he is not criminal lawyer;
he is fine examiner of titles; he can
tell you all about abstracts of titles;
he's good fellow; but can't have SEQ
vile here compromising my case
There's 10 lawyer in the room but
knows he's asked questions for
the defence which have been
a positive injury to the defense
| can't have Scoville here compro-
missing my case in this way. My friend
Chas. H. Reed, who was for twelve
years district attorney at Chicago, and
a first-class lawyer, has kindly consent
ed to assume charge of this case, and
introduce him to your honor, the jury
and the American people. He is a
good fellow. and Scoville is a good fell
low, too, and | want him to continue
in the case and help in every way"
sCovILLE's REPLY.
Scoville Immediately arose to make
personal explanation, stating the diff
ticulties under which he had labored
and his disappointment in not receiving
the assistance he expected from certain
eminent counsel. He asked that the
court would pass on the proprie Y of
of Reed assuming active duty as asso-
ciate counsel in this case.
Judge Porter thought it would be en-
tirely out of place for the court to be
asked to rule ION such a proposition,
and, speaking for the prosecution,
promised no objection to Reed and no
objection to his course in becoming a
counsel for the de ense.
Judge Cox-I think that is sufficient;
/ have previously stated that see no
objection to such q course on Reeds
part"
Col Corkhill-It's absurd to talk of
it; Reed has been assisting all the way
through and has not been out of sight
of the court room.
Reed (qucklyl-That's not true, Mr..
Corkhill.
Guiteau-Oh, Corkhill can't tell the
truth, anyway Reed has quietly as
sisted just as scores of lawyers have
done in the interest of truth and JUS
tice. That's what we are here for.
Dr. Spencer III. Talcott superinten-
dent of the homeopathic asylum for the
insane at Middleton, N. Y, and DR..
Henry p Stearns, superintendent of
the Hartford hospital both testified that
they believed the prisoner. sane at the
time he shot the president in Wash
ington.