The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-26
Tho True Story of Guiteau's Crime


The True Story of Guiteau's Crime.
WASHINGTON. July 14.-United States
District Attorney Corkhill has furnished
the following statement for publication
in order to correct certain erroneous as
sertions which have been made relative
to Guiteau. the would.be assassin Of
President Garfield:
"The interest felt by the public in the
details Of the assassination and the
many stories published justify me in
stating that the following lie correct
and accurate statement concerning the
points to which reference is made:
"The assassin, Charles Guiteau, came
to Washington City on Sunday evening,
March 6, and stopped at the Ebhitt
house, remaining only one day. He
then secured room in another part Of
the city and has boarded and roomed at
varioas places, the full details OF which l
have. Oa Wednesday, May Is, tire as
sassin determined to murder the Presi-
dent. He had neither money nor pistol
at the time. About the last of May he
went into O'Meara's store, corner of Fif.
teenth and F streets. in this city, and ex-
amined some pistols, asking for the
largest calibre. He was shown two
similar in caliber and only different in
the price. On Wednesday, June s, be
purchased the pistol which he used, t,r
which he paid SO, having in the mean
time borrowed els OF a gentleman in
this city ON the plea that he wanted to
pay his board bill. o. the same evening
about O'Clock be took the pistol and
went to the foot of Seventeenth strset
and practised firing at board, firing ten
shots. He then retured to his boarding
house sna wiped the pistol dry and
wrapped it in his coat and waited his
opportunity.
"On Sunday morning, June IL, he was
sitting in Lafayette Park and saw the
President leave for the Christian Church,
on Vermont avenue, and be at once re-
turned to bis room, obtained his pistol,
put it in his hip pocket and followed the
President to church He entered the
church, but found he could not kill him
there without danger OF killing some one
else. He noticed that the President sat
near window. After church he made
an examination OF the window and found
that he could reach it without any
trouble and that from this point he could
shoot the President through the head
without killing any one else. The fol.
lowing Wednesday he went to the
church, examined the location and the
window and became satisfied he could
accomplish his purpose, ,and he determin'
ed therefore to make the attempt at the
church the following Sunday. He learned
from the papers that the President would
leave the city on Saturday, June 18.with
Mrs. Garfield for Long Branch. He
therefore determined to meet him at the
depot. He left his boarding place abonl
5 o'clock on Saturday morning June IL,
and went down 10 the river at the foo,
OF Seventeenth street and fred Eve shnts
to practice his ann and be certain his
pistol was in good order. he then wen,
to the depot and was in the ladies' wait
Iing.room OF the depot with the pistol
ready when the Presidents party entered.
He says Mrs Garfield looked SO weak
and frail that he had not the heart to
shoot the President in her presence, and
as he knew he would have another op.
portunity he left the depot. He had
; previously engaged carriage to take
him to the Jail. On Wednesday evening
the President and bis son, and think
United States Marshal Henry, went out
for ride. The assassin took his piatol
and followed them anu watched them for
some time in hopes the carriage would
stop; but no opportunity was given. Ou
Friday evening, July l, he was sitting on
the seat In the park opposite the White
House. when he saw the President come
out alone. He followed him down the
avenue to Fifteenth street, and then kept
on the opposite side of the street up Fiji
teenth street until the President entered
the residence OF Secretary Blaine. He
watched at the corner OF Mr.. Morton.
late residence, on the corner of Fifteenth
and H. streets, for some time, and then
as he was afraid he would attract atten
: ton, he went into the alley in the rear o.
Mr.. Morton's residence, examined biz
!, pistol aud waited. The President ant
, Secretary Blaine came out together ani
he followed them over to the gate OF th,
White House, but could get no opportu
) nifty to use his weapon.
) "On the morning Of S,'urIay, July 2
he breakfasted at the Riggs House abou
r o'clock He then walked up into tn
( Park and sat there for an hour. He thel
took . one-hcrse avenue car and rode t.
Sixth street; got out and went into tn
depot and loi,ered around there had hi
shoes blacked; engaged hsckman fo
: 90 to take him TO the Jail; went into th
water closet and took his pistol out o
his hip-pocket and unwrapped the pape
from around it, which be had put ther
for the purpose OF preventing the per
t spiration from The body dampeDing th
e powder. examined the pistol carefully
tried the trigger, and then returned ant
took seat in the ladies' wai,ing-room
and as coon as the President entered
advanced behind him and fred tw'
shots.
These facts, think, can he relie'
upon as accurate, and give them to th
y -krs.- f-l