The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-09-12

ON THE TRACK OF THE ASSASSIN
Guiteau Shot at by n SOIdicr--Thc
Hall Misses It's Mark--TerrOr OF the
wrctched Assassin - His Con-

Guiteau Shot at by n SoIdier--Thc
Hall Misses It's MarIt.-Terror OF the
wretclsed Assassin = His Con-
science n Hell.
The city was thrown into state of ex-
element again last night by q rumor from
the Jail that Guiteau had been shot. This
turned out not to be true, but no one would
have wept If IL had been A shot had been
fired at him, but the wretch was unframed.
The facts, told briefly, are these About Z
o'clock last night rs Sergeant John A. Ma
son, of Company ID, Second Artillery, which
is doing guard duty at the Jail, went with
number of soldiers to relieve guard. he
stopped few feet away from tho window
on the outside looking into Guiteau's cell,
leveled his rifle,
Took Deliberate Aim and Fired.
The ball crashed through the outside
window, then through the window of Gui-
teau's cell, passing within few inches of
the head of the Wretch, through his coat
hanging OH the wall and Embedding itself
in the masonry. The affair created the
greatest excitement at the jail.
What Mason Did.
Mason, after firing the shot, quietly sur
rendered himself to his commanding officer,
Capt. McGilvray, and was sent back to the
Arsenal under guard. Mason was under
the influence of liquor, but he explained
that by saying he had been sick. He said
that he had been meditatiDg the act for
some days and was sorry that he had failed
in killing the wretch.
All Sorts of stories
concerning the affair spread over the city
last night, one being that the shooting was
the result of plot among certain mbcr
Of soldiers; that neither caring to assume
the responsibility, the matter was settled
by throwing dice, the duty falling upon
Mason, who carried it into execution.
Mason is man about 80 years of age, ma
| tive of Virginia. He is one of six brothers,
i've of whom served in the Confederate
army during the late war. He enlisted in
the United States service about fifteen
years ago. He is spare man, six feet high,
large of bone and muscular. His own ex-
PLANTATION he gave to reporter last night in
the following language:
MasOn's Explanation.
Il shot for the purpose of killing the
man. / had become tired of riding over
the cObblestones to the Jail every day to
guard the life of such a cur rs Guiteau, so l
made up my mind several days ago to kill
him. This evening loaded my rifle before
left the Arsenal, and as soon as l reached
the Jail went to the window where Guiteau
usually stands waiting, gaping for our
arrival. / just fired, and that is all there
is about it," Members of Mason's company
say that lie has always borne a splendid
character for industry, sobriety and peace
fulness, but that he acts strangely at times
and is peculiar.
What Was Learned at the Jail.
| At an early hour this morning CRITIC
reporter was dispatched to the Jail to learn
additional facts concerning the shooting.
The prisoner has not as yet been removed
from the quarters he has occupied, but it is
probable that General Croker will make
some provision to-day for his removal to
another cell in another part of the building.
1t is very evident that Mason contemplated
shooting Guiteau some time since, and
while doing duty in the Jail studied the
location of the prisoners cell that he
might bring down his game without
endangering the life of any one else.
There are no other prisoners confined in
the cells In the corridor in which Guiteau's
cell is located, therefore there was no
danger of Mason's bullet piercing the
body of an innocent person.
Soon after Mason fired his shot an addi-
tional sentry was placed on the outside of
the Jail, not far from the spot where Mason
stood when he fired at Guiteau. No one is
allowed to go within a hundred yards of the
Jail, unless on business. The Jail officials
say that Guiteau is
The Most COnsummate Liar
they ever saw. He lies about the most
trivial things. Capt. McGilvray entered
the cell of the miserable wretch soon after
the shooting, and Guiteau, while explaining
the position he was in when the shot was
fired, told three or four different stories,
none of which were believed by the
Captain. Capt. McGilvray thinks Guiteau
was either sitting or lying upon his
bed, and not standing at the window,
as he stated.
Last night was not pleasant one for the
assassin. The guards say they do not be.
lieve he slept q wink all night. Shortly
after the shooting he cried out to a passing
guard and asked if soldier fired the
shot. The assassins curiosity, of course
was not gratifed and he was left to form
his own impressions.
Guitcnu's Terror.
The wretch did not occupy his bed the
whole night, but lay in an outstretched po-
sition on the floor, and at times was very
Tightly. The guards and army officers al
the jail all believe that Guiteau thinks the
President is dead, and that he himself Il
soon to be assassinated. He would fire.
quently cry out last night for the Lord to
have mercy upon him.
Utterances Of q Guilty Conscience
At one time he was heard to be praying
calling upon God to save him. AS one o.
the guards was passing his cell-doOr, about
daylight this morning, he heard him say
"Oh, God, why did shoot the poor Presi
dent? Be merciful to me, poor, miserable
assassin-the assassin of the President of {
great country! l could not help it; could
not help it The devil seized me, and
was compelled to fire the fatal shot oh
n n 90. n.sxrf fIp