Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-11-23
YFHaE Rf GuafeaH

First Day-The trial of Guteau for murder
was begun on Monday Nov. 18th, when five
jurors were secured. The assassin created o
number of scenes. His counsel. Robinson
asked for further postponement on the
ground that it would take some further time to
obtain material witnesses and the assistance of
another lawyer. Guiteau sprang to his feet
and notwithstanding the remonstrances of his
relatives and the admonitions of the court
officials, said that he did not want postpone
ment, that Robinson had no business to ask for
postponement. and that he (Guiteau) was
prepared to go ON with his own case. Scoville
also declared that he wanted the case proceeded
with. Judge Cox decided that the trial pro-
coed at least to the extent of impaneling the
jury, but at the same time he assured Robinson
that he would give ample time to prepare his
case. The selection of o jury was then pro-
ceeded with, and before adjournment five
jurors were chosen
Second DdY.-Guiteau was hurried into court
IN the custody of half dozen policemen and
deputy marshals. His handouts were removed,
when he shook hands with his brother and
sister and seated himself beside bis counsel
When the ninth juror had been drawn the list
of seventy-five names became exhausted and
the court adjourned, after ordering new list
made out. The prisoner was hOoted and ieered
at as he returned to the prison van
Ih1rd Ddy.-Shortly after the court opened
and while the drawing of the remainder of the
jury was being proceeded WITH the prisoner
vas ushered in. He was wild and excited and
tossing his hat on the desk commenced an
earnest conversation with 1Ir. Scoville, using
his clenched fist vigorously as if insisting on
some matter which ScOville disapproved of.
The twelfth jur7man having been drawn a
short recess was taken, after which the jury
was sworn in as whole and the court
adjourned. Previous to adjournment Guiteau
scrubbed off an appeal to the legal profession
of the country to aid him in his dilemma.
Fourth Day-.The real business of the
trial was commenced. United States Dis
trict Attorney Corkhill made an i'm
plessive and effective argument in opening the
case, after which the examination of witnesses
was commenced, Secretary Blaine being the
first. After a short recess JudsoD W. Vince
lock, Of Virginia, Geo. III. Adams, a publisher,
and Jacob P. Smith. janitor of the railroad
depot. the minister from Venezuela, Mrs. Sarah
B. White, matron at the depot, and Robert A.
Parke, ticket agent, testified to the circumstan-
ces Of the shooting. The prisoner was fretful
and turbulent, and frequently interrupted At
tornev Corkhil and the witnesses. He was
finally removed from the court room, making
angry demonstrations the while.
F!fut Ddy.-A number Of witnesses were ex-
ahmed, and the thread bare details of the
shooting scene at the depot told over and over
again. a stir was OccasiOned by the exhibition
of the pistol with which the fatal deed was
committed. The prisoner became so noisy that
Judge Coke threatened TO remove himif he did
not desist. He made an impudent reply, but
nevertheless remained quiet thereafter. SEQ
vile gave notice that the defense would be
based on the ground Of insanity.
Sixth DaY.-Saturday November 10, wit
messed the sixth day Of the greatcriminal trial
The most significant incident of the day was
the remark of Guiteau after his counsel Mr..
Scovlle, remarked to the court that they adj
mitted the killing of Garfield He exclaimed:
"Not the killing, your honor; we admit the
shooting" thus showing that the willy assassin
hopes to escape by proving malpractice by the
surgeons. DIR. Bliss was on the stand and in
the course Of his testimony introduced the up
per portion of wired skeleton for the purpUs G
of illustration. A section Of thelate President s
verteDr@ was also produced and shown to the
jury. Guiteau viewed the CHASTITY memento Of
his horrible deed while 1t was in the hands of
his attorney, but exhibited no emotion except
that of common curiosity.