Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-07-07
The Assassin S Home.

The Assassin S Home.
FREEPoRT, ILL.,, July 4.-The startling
news of tbs shooting of President Gar
field was received here at an early hour
this morning, and created quite a sen
sation, from the fact that the party
who did the shooting was from here,
and Is well known to most of the in
habitants. The people were not at all
surprised when they learned he COM
mitted the deed, for he was always re
garded from bOyh0od up, as a very
queer individual, possessed of bad
temper and at all times disposed to be
contrary. He is the son of the late
Luther W. Guiteau, who was cashier of
the Second National bank for years and a
gentleman who stood we'll in this COM
munity. 1t is said that had it not been
for the recklessness of his son he would
have lived several years longer. The
father Of the criminal was a native of
New York state, and was born in
Utica, Oneida county, March 3,
1910. He came west as far as
Michigan, and engaged in mercantile
business at Ann Arbor. In 1882
he came to Illinois and settled in Free
port in the month of October of that
year. He engaged in mercantile busi-
ness. In 1910 he was appointed post
master under President Harrison, and
held that office several years. He be-
came embarrassed in business, but he
PAID ALL HIS CREDITORS
in full, though he sacrificed all he had
in doing so. After serving in the post
Office some time he was appointed
deputy clerk of the circuit court and
was atterward elected clerk of that
court and held that Office four years;
and declined to become Il candidate for
re. election. He was afterwards APP
pointed and served again as deputy
clerk. Upon the organization of the
Second National bank he became book
keeper and acted in that capacity for
one year, and then was elected cashier
of the bank in April, 1865, and occu-
pied that position up to the time of his
death. Mr.. Guiteau was man of un-
swerving integrity, and enjoyed the
confidence of the president and board
of directors of the bank to such an ex-
tent that for a long time he had the re-
sponsible management of the institu-
ton.
Mr.. L. GUITEAU,
a half brother, stated that Charles J..
is not considered 1nember of the
family, and that no attention will be
paid to the matter. He has incurred
their ill-will by bad conduct. Hon.
John III. Adams, the president of the
Second national bank, in which institu-
ton Mr.. J.. w. Guiteau, the father of
the criminal, had long been cashier, was
called upon. Mr.. Adams was in
formed of the crime of which Guiteau
had just committed, aad said in reply
that he felt no particular surprise as he
knew him to be a very erratic man
from his youth up, and just the person
to execute some sensational act His
head was always filled with visionary
schemes. He was also a member of
THE FAMOUS ONEIDA COMMUNITY
in central New York. His full name is
Charles Julius Guiteau. The last time
he was in FreepOrt was about three
years ago, when he remained but a
couple of days.
Another gentleman well acquainted
with the criminal was interviewed, and
expressed no surprise when informed
of what had transpired He said
Guiteau was about 40 years of age, and
went to the Oneida community when
he was about 20 years old. He led a
rather queer life there, and was dis
missed. He afterward had suit with
the officers of the society for labor per-
formed. 1t is said that since he left
the place he has been wild and reckless,
and most Of the time made his head
quarters in New York. He has never
had any particular employment, and
caused his father a great deal of un-
easiness.
"Just like him." said J. Addison
Grain, the attorney who had met
Guiteau in New York last September.
Then he was a member Of Garfield
club, and seemed to take a great deal
of interest in it. Mr.. Grain describes
him as very peculiar man, who was
a monomaniac on hobbies, and was al
ways the father Of some grand scheme,
that never amounted to anything. For
a while he studied or practiced law in
New York, but did not make 3 success
Of II