The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-08-24

WASHINGTON, August 1S.-T'his morning.
at 4:30, while Mr.. McGill, one of the guards
OF the Jail, was passing through the corridors
something in the appearance Of Guiteau's
cell attracted bis attention. On entering the
cell he found the assassin in the possession
OF 9 knife. How he obtained it is q mystery.
When be demanded the knife Guiteau refus-
co TO surrender it. McGill drew q pistol and
then an exciting tussle ensued, Guiteau maxi
ing every exertion 10 get the pistol from the
guard. He succeeded after a struggle, but
McGill, after the most strenuous efforts. re-
gained possession Of it. In the scufle that
followed the weapon was discharged. and
the report brought other guards to the assist
ance OF McGill, and Guiteau was finally dis
armed. He had succeeded, however, in cut
ting McGllls clothing pretty badly, and
came very near inficting a dangerous wound.
aulteau pretended to be crazy and complain
ed that his pistol had been taken from him.
All the facts indicate that Guiteau probably
medltated an escape, and had formed some
desperate plan. His assumption ofhinsanity
Is believed to be a sham, as he has acted as if
perfectly sane all along.
McGil thinks that Guiteau supposed the
President dead, and was thus trying to prove
his insanity. &uiteau could have had moth
ing against McGill, who is a most pleasant
man. He had no possible chance of escane.
There will be g thorough investigation as to
how Guiteau got the knife. Twenty men
guard the jail, and the prisoner is yigilaully
watched.
The news in the Jail of the Presidents
CRITICAL condition and the Strengthening OF
the jail guard yesterday excited Guiteau.
causing hlm to pace his cell and ask anxious
" about the President. The story reached
the Jail that the President was diving. and
Gulteau climbed up to the window. and 9th
erWise seemed excited.
McGlll watched him closely, and said :
what are you doing with that knife n
dnlteau answered: $50 help me God i have
no knlfe. McGill drew back and the knife
entered bis coat collar, cutting off the upper
Du1ton' ana made . clean stroke to the left
shoulder. The guark cooked his revolver.
Gulteau dropped the knife and g~rasped
the pistol, crying for help and saying that he
Delng shot. The pistol was accidentally
ulscnafged, and others Of the guard entering
ulsarneo tulteau, who says be was acting ID
sel1-oefense. Bob Bedford, Who formerly
inc cell, had probably concealed
me knlfe there which Guiteau found.
WASHINGTON, August 1s.-Warden Crock
er now admits that Gulteau had ! knife. and
that bis denial was made before he. invest
gated the facts. It was merely ! niece q
corset steel sharpened like a razor. He cot
from the cot in his cell, probably.
aa'.eaa IS still writing up his life, and the
ieealls OF the crime and his motives there
Tor. de writes as though he thought the
resident, esd, dead. He receives many letters.
which the following is a specimen
Charles J. Guiteau::
! will give vol $500 per night - lecture
.,leI you nave served eight veara - ,ha 80 nrg j
! oIeusas, ! VIII advertise Won AZ the 1.1lrest
Jnhung, but will not he 40 sne ufeae
caprlces OF Judge Lynch, esponsio'e ~
,tsck OF rarolla this date o,.rs ent.ra
shoes, Hats Gans Jurors. Roots and
saEOs = PfIcos that sfas1A queen :. 7
I y the paac a.ssaApe eAs j