Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-29
NEARING THE END.
THE ASSASSIN ON THE STAND.
The Cranky scion of a Cranky House
Some 3 ngular TheOIogY-Gui-
teau's Passion for HIS COus1n-The
Court at Hts Wits End TO Silence
Him.

WASHINGTON, November 2s.-The third
week of the Guiteau trial opened bright
and balmy. and the audience became as
large as on any previous day. The Marshal
delivered his daily admonition to the audi
ence, and requested that the same order be
observed as would be In church.
Mr.. Scoville and his coadiutors, Chas. E.
Reed and J. w. Guiteau, were early in their
seats, but the counsel for the prosecution
did not enter the room until some moments
after ten. The monOtonous "Oyezn of the
crier having been delivered, the names
of the jury called and the prisoner
brought In, Mr.. Scoville asked
consent to interrupt Mrs. Scoville's
examination so as to put upon the stand one
or two witnesses from distance, who de-
sired to leave the city o-day. The prosecu-
ton, however, objected, and Mrs. scovilIe's
examination was resumed. She described
Guiteau's appearance and actions during
his visit TO her house In 1878.
Meanwhile the crowd ia the corridor had
pressed their way through the Marshals
office, and in their efforts to effect an en-
trance to the court room caused momentary
confusion, which necessiiated the euspen-
Quite a din of female voices was heard vo-
c1ferating loudly that they would
be squeezed to death, and begging to
be allowed to get out. With some difficulty
the hall and corridor leading from the Mar
shal's Office to the court room were cleared,
and the examination Of the witness resumed.
The witness was convinced at the time of
Guiteau's visit to her that he was insane and
should be put in an asylum.
Frequent objections were raised by coun-
sci for the prosecution to the character of
the questions propounded by Mr.. Scoville,
and a continuous discussion ensued between
counsel upon the admissability of certain
evidence.
Mr. Scoville's examination In brief was
concluded at IL o'clock.
At the request OF Mr.. Scoville the cross
examination was postponed to allow George
D. Burroughs, of Chicago, to testify. as he
desired to leave the city to-day. He boarded
with Mrs. Scoville at the time of Guiteau's
visit in 1873, and made up his mind that the
prisoner was either fool or crazy. He was
satisfied that Guiteau was unsettled In his
intellect.
There was brief interval before the ap-
pearance Of the next witness, and Guiteau
took advantage of the opportunity and
broke out with: Il desire TO tell all these
crank newspaper men that appear here as
my own counsel That is my answer to all
the silly stuff they have been delivering
themselves of for some DAYS past. Some of
these newspaper men have gone crazy.
appear here in part as my own counsel, as
have right 20 under the law and Constitu-
ton OF America"
No effort was made to check Guiteau, and
no notice whatever OF the interruption was
taken by the court.
How to silence the prisoner and put a
stop to his annoying interruptions has been
a serious question with Judge Cox, who
has more than once consulted his associates
upon the subject. To remove the prisoner
from tie court room and proceed with the
trial In his absence, as was first Intimated by
the court, might be done, but would deprive
him of his undoubted constitutional right to
confront the witnesses against him, while to
gag him, as Judge Cox on Saturday threat
ened TO do, would be open to the objection
that it would serve as a constant re-
minder to the jury and exert, perhaps, an
undue influence upon their minds. The
situation seems to be anomalous. As
long as the prisoner insists upon acting
as his own counsel the court cannot
well deny him the right without admitting
his insanity as bar to it's exercise. The
court cannot well punish for contempt, as
he is already in confinement. The members
of the District bar deprecate severely
the structures which have been made
upon Judge Cox's failure to adopt
some rigorous measures, but are unable to
suggest any legal way out Of the embarrsss-
ment.
John w. Guiteau, brother of the prisoner,
was then examined, and the court took a
recess.
After the recess John W. Guiteau again
took the stand, and Mr.. Davidge proceeded
with his cross-examination. Witness said
he had always understood that his uncle
Abraham hal been an intemperate and dis
solute man. He had been told by his
father and had seen a record to the effect
that bis uncle Francis Guiteau had died in
an insane asylum. The cause of his insanity,
according to the record, appeared to be
modification at having fought a sham duel.
He always understood that his cousin Abby
Maynard was demented and his cousin
Granville Parker was, he had been told,
insane. He had never heard of any
other cases of insanity in his
family. When Davidge finished his cross
examination Mr.. Scoville asked the witness
If he had any feeling against having inssui-
tV in the family. The prosecution objected
to this question; and the objection was sus-
tanned. Mr.. scovllle then proceeded to
examine the witness to show that since
leaving his father, when young man, he
had only seen his father at rare intervals.
Mr.. Scoville asked;
"What is your opinion now as to your
fathers sanityH"
81 think he was sane" said the witness
promptly.
''Do you say that, including in making
your judgment the testimony that has been
heard here?'
The court prevented the witness from
answering, saying that he could only answer
as to facts that had come under his own
| knowledge.
$50. far as any facts that know" said
the witness, che was always sane"
Being asked by Mr.. Scoville to explain
what he meant by saying mis- brother was
under the influence of demon, witness said
that he and his father believed that there
were two forces in the world, one under
Satan or the devil and the other under Jesus
Christ. These two forces were at war, and
at present Satan had to q great extent do
minion over the world. At some time in
his brothers. life he had allowed nature to
! gain such control over him that he was
under the control of the devil This was
what he meant when he said he believed his
brother was responsible before God, though
he might not be responsible before human
law.
"YOu got that thing wrong side up, my
friend" said the prisoner, sharply.
"Perhsps haye,i replied the witness.
'4ery poor theology said the prisoner.
''and very poor position for you to take. "
Speaking Of the prisoners infancy, wit
ness said he remembered his father offering
him ten cents to keep still ten minutes, and
that the prisoner did not get the money.
When Mr.. Guiteau was excused from the
stand, Mr.. scoville called Mrs. Augustus
Parker, of Chicago. The witness testified
TO the insanity OF her deceased husband,
Augustus Granville Parker. who had been
insane three years in the Elgin Asylum be-
fore he died. Her husband was q cousin Of
the prisoner. The prisoner had come to her
house in Chicago after her husband was
taken insane, but had ceased his visits at
her request, because he wanted to educate
her daughter In order to marry her.
Mr.. Seoville asked II there was anything
peculiar about Guiteau's attentions to her
daughter that attracted her attention.
The prosecution objected to this question.
Mr.. Scoville said he proposed to show that
he was carrying on insane attentions to this
girl of fourteen. After some discussion the
question was put in another form and wit
ness said: 'He fell desperately In love with
my daughter and wanted to educate her and
marry her."
"Fell desperately in love with her, said
her and marry her. A very common form
Of INSANITY sally which caused eutbufsts
OF laughter.
GA very handsome girl, too, judge"
added the prisoner.
Witness said she formed the opinion that
the prisoner was crazy, and she thought so
ten or eleven years ago, when she dret saw
him. tet
Tie prisoner here spoke to explain his
relations with the family. "They were very
poor and used to go down there and give
them money. They seemed to appreciate
that well enough. incidentally became