River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-09-08

assassin Guiteau is fearful that some
outsider meditated an attack on him
but how he received this impression is
unknown unless from observing that
the number ofsoidiers had been increas-
ed. Usually he inquiries of guards as
they come on duty for the latest news
from the President, and receives the
stereotyped answer, Improving at last
accounts, to which he replies, II am
glad to hear il" He is still engaged in
writing. Some of his effusions are
directed to outside parties in reference
TO procuring bail, while others purport
to give an account of an alleged vision
that inspired him to shoot the Presi
dent, and his reasons for shooting, such
as have been published over and over
again.
Since the episode with the guard
McGill, a few days ago, he has been
quite bitter toward the guards. A few
nights after that occurrence, seeing
Mr.. McGill in the rotunda, he demand
ed to know why he was not locked up,
claiming that McGill was as guilty as
he was, only McGill failed - shoot.
Subsequently he addressed letter to
an official outside, whom he regards as
a Stalwart friend, requesting him to go
to Judge Wylie and make a charge of
assault with intent to kill against McGill
Ion information and belief.) 1t is need
less to say that this letter has not been
sent TO the party it was addressed to.
Officials at the jail give out this state
ment, that all inquiries of Guiteau about
the President are answered either eva
sively or that he is improving, but the
indications are that from some source
or other Guiteau gets information as to
the Presidents condition. He has
grown very nervous, and is in constant
dread from an attack from the outside
of the Jail, which shows that he knows
of the critical condition of the Presi-
dent.
Secretary Lincoln this evening order
ed four batteries of artillery from Bal
timore to Washington Immediately, and
another order was issued from the War
Department directing all staff officers
of the army now in the city on leave of
absence, to be ready at a moments
warning to report to their respective
commands. Two additional compa-
MES of troops have been stationed at
the jail, and it is the evident intention
of the authorities, both civil and militia
ry,to protect Guiteau from mob VIC
lence. The authorizes consider that it
would be reflection upon this govern
ment and upon the people for the as
sassin Guiteau to be executed by mob.
While all officials in every branch of
service share that indignation, which
demands prompt infiction of punish
ment upon the assassin, they feel that
the dignity of the government requires
that the law must take its course. and
they are determined to enforce this.
Orders from the Navy Department
similar to those from the War Depart
m ent, that officers on leave shall pre-
pare to report to their respective COM
mands, have been issued to the marine
corps. The marines at the barracks
here and the soldiers at the arsenal
have been ordered to be kept IN readi-
ness for service at a moments notice.
1t is evident that the various reports
that there are fears from mob violence
outside of that which Guiteau is most
concerned, have had an effect upon the
officers of the government