The National tribune., 1881-12-03


recollect it; it was a mistake that the rela-
tions between witness and the prisoner in Chicago
were intimate: he was very often called Charlie
Reed, but never called the prisoner Charlie
| Guiteau: witness reiterated his statement that
he endeavOred to throw cold water on Guiteau's
application for the Paris consulship; thought
| him more suited to minor position; the meet
| ings between witness and Gulteau at the Riggs
House were casual; witness did not like to eX-
press an opinion as to the degree of Guiteau's
responsibility had never thought of it in that
connection before he visited Guiteau in Jail
had, of course talked about it since the shoot
ing, but never expressed any opinion
Mr.. Davidge-"Did you not state to Colonel
Corkhill that while Guiteaus act was cranky,
it was your opinion that he was responsible?"
Witness-"No SIR"
Mr.. Davidge-"Did you not assist in defend
ing this case several days ago?"
Witness" No. sir"
Mr. Davidge-"You did not sit by Mr.. Scoville
and assist him."
Witness-"No, sir sat there and made one
or two suggestions. 1 will state them here if
necessary"
Mr.. Davidge-"Never mind"
Resuming, the witness narrated his converse
ton with Guiteau at the Riggs House, when the
latter told him to watch the newspapers for his
appointment as consul. Here Guiteau broke
out again: II desire to say" he remarked,
"that while Mr.. Reed is a good fellow, he has
stated this thing falsely, it refers to the news
papers desire him to stick to facts"
The prisoner kept up this sort of thing at
intervals of about every minute, and became so
annoying that the Court called out to him
sharply, "Shut up, sir"
Guiteau would not hush.
The Court then sternly said: II will here
say to you, prisoner, that unless you keep quiet
I will order gag to be placed in your mouth"
Guiteau-"I don't care if you do. What
want are the facts, no matter whether for or
against me- l don't want any more lies.
desire to rest my on the inspiration from
the Deity. /"
Here he was forced into silence again, and
the witness resumed, repeating the Riggs House
interview and admitted that he was uncertain
whether Guiteau had said his appointment
would be in the newspapers or whether he said
that he wonld make a fuss through the news
papers if he was not appointed
The witness, continuing, said when Guiteau
handed him the pamphlet in Chicago on the sec
ond coming of Christ he said he had been while
writing it as much inspired as the New Tesla
ment
Guiteau-"And am still of that opinion"
After recess Judge H. B. Amerling was called
to the witness stand
He said he resided at Williamsport, Pa; knew
Luther W. Guiteau in Freeport, Ill. in the year
1868; he had some peculiarities witness wife,
on one occasion, was run off" with colt and
badly hurt and Mr.. Guiteau told him that he had
better discharge the doctors and let her put her
trust in Christ and she would get well; he often
took occasions to express his views of the second
coming of Christ; he thought that all things
should be in common and every one should keep
their pocket-books open: but no one should take
from them more than they might actually need :;
the witness was ruled before the church to show
cause why he should not be disciplined for ne
glecting to attend service he made his excuse
and charged them with neglect in not visiting his
sick wife, and Mr.. Luther Guteau said that he
had done just right, and they would all be sacri-
feed.
The witness was not acquainted with the pris-
oner, but had met him once or twice: thought
he met him in Chicago about the time of the
Moody and Sankey Tevivals; thought, but was
not sure, that he had been present one occasion
when the prisoner attempted to deliver lecture.
Cross-examined: Was friendly with the Gui-
teau family; not with Mr.. Charles ulius Guiteau,
because he did not know him.
Guiteau-"Never saw the witness before in my
life" Laughter
Witness had assisted in procuring testimony
for the defense in this case because he was a
friend of Mr.. Scoville's: had written letter to
Mr.. Henry w. Oier, of Freeport; that is, his son
wrote it at his suggestion; witness ION being
shown the letter. identified it as in his sons
handwriting; had never seen the letter before
Mr.. Davidge-"I Is the body and postscript of
that letter in your sons handwriting?
Witness examining it closely)-"I think So"
Mr.. Davidge-"Are you quite sure? You NAV
be an expert on insanity, but not in handwrit-
ing
Witness-"That is your opinion"
The witness maintained that the entire letter
was written by his son.
The letter to AIR. Oiler was written under date
Of October 81, 1881, and says: II have been sub
ppnaed in the Guiteau case ON the part of the
defense. wish you would tell me of the strange
and peculiar actions of the Guiteaus | leave for
Washington next week and believe that you will
be good witness. l think that Charles and his
father were both crazy on religion. / wish that
you would write me Of any of the actions of the
old man Guiteau and Abraham, and after I ar
rive in Washington l will mention it to Mr.. Sco-
vile and if he thinks it necessary he will send
for you. Your expenses will be paid for travel
ing and boarding by the Government.
"P. S.-Do you remember if Abraham died in
the asylum? If you do not know, find out what
you can from Others 1t is not love for Charles,
but if crazy he ought to be punished accordingly"
Resuming, witness said that he had the most
implicit confidence in Luther w. Guiteau's bust
ness ability but he thought him "otf" on relig-
ion and politics; he loYel Mr. Guiteau as
brother. Witness here ra0GDl some of Mr.. Gui-
teau's peculiarities. Returning to the Oiler let
ter, the witness said that Mr.. ScOville wrote him
a letter asking him about various witnesses who
had been subp9naed; Mr.. Scoville had written
him several letters on the subject.
Witness had assisted Mr.. Scoville in every
way; did so honestly, for love of the family.
though always considered the shooting bad af-