The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-12-09
GUITEAU SHUT OFF.
How Judge Porter Closed Him Out after Three
Days Examination.

tne sldhu tbls AiIcTHOoH altcT MS tnTce Gays
siege. a broken man he was, tired out, bag
gard, faded, disguised, sullen, ugly, and there
seemed to be about him an evident feeling
that Judge Porter, the terrible cross-exam-
liner, had, despite his cunning theories and
his persistence in them, shown that the in
spiration theory was simply part of the de-
Tense planned long before the malice of Gui-
teau brought him to the rivers bank to fire
at the marsh reeds for targets. ado you feel
any remorse?" as the last question which
Judge Porter asked. After having been
pressed earnestly upon this point for some
moments The prisoner answered at last sui
of course, as far as my personal feelings are
concerned" Judge Porter, quick as light
ming and Dramatically, said, g That will do,
prisoner; your cross-examiuaiion is closed"
Guneau, writing under the tremendous
foIce of Judge Po'cer's question, say the ter
rible effect Of his confession. During all
these months one part Of his defense has
been to insist to all that he never had had
single sentiment Of remorse. During the
cross-examination he said dozen times, to
Judge Porter's questions, his mind was :
blank upon that subject. To all the experts
who called upon him he has insisted with
peltinacity that thought of Iemorse never
came to him that his mind, upon that sub
ject, was blank. Yet at the close of to- days
rigid cross examination the prisoner admit.
ted that which seemed TO give sadness to his
relatives and caused a sensation in court.
He hsd killed the President and suffered re-
morse. With ca like quicknsss Guito2u raj
lied fren what seemed almost like a paraly-
sis caused by the tremendous laundering of
Judge Porter at him, md endaavored to cor
rect what he plainly saw was the eject OF
that admission. Judge Pei;er you'd aot
listen TO q word, but waved his hand. Sco-
vile tried to parry the eject, but apparently
without success, and Guiteau left the stand
more discouraged than he has appeared at
any time during the trial. Guiteau, although
c0wed and driven into acorner, saw the force
of every one of Judge Porter's questions and
endeavored TO evade them, and manifested
undoubted skill. There were some words
which almost caused him 10 vince with ter
ror. He shrunk and seemed to SILVER i'm the
witness box when Judge Porter used the
words "Eurder," "kill," assassin" Judge
Porter made it clear that Guiteau was able
to control the divine presence the day Mrs.
Gal field came 10 the depot with the Presi-
dent, ard emphasized the fact, which has
such all important bearing upon the question
Of responsibility. The cross-examination
was eminently successful. Titled the mask
and showed that the plot TO murder the Pres
idest was preneditsted and deliberate, and
was the result of malice and revenge. The
prisoner felt 1t keenly. Porter broke down
the wonderful, quick, supple witness.
The first witness was J. o. p. Burnside,
discussing officer Of The Postoifice Depstt-
ment. He formerly lived in Freeport, H.,
and knew The prisoners family. MIS-. Gui-
teau was an invalid.
Charles Allen. OF Missouri, lived in Free
port In 1889 and 1870, aud knew the GuIteau
family. Mrs. Gui,eau was in feeble health.
Emory A. Storrs, of Chicago, knew Gu-
teau in that city by sight as young lawyer;
saw him perhaps dozen times at the Ma
tional Republican Committee room, in New
York, during the last Presidential campaign.
The prisoner came up to him gleefully and
pattng him on the shoulder, said, "You are
on u e right track" The witness never saw
Guiteau doing anything in the committee
rooms other than readipgpapers. He seemed
to have ne especial employment. In April
saw the prisoner in Washington. He said
he was going to have the Austrian mis-
sion. Witness told f'm the place was
an important one, and in Blaine's line, and
that he (Blaine) was a known politician.
The prisoner replied that he was solid with
Blaine. Witness thought the conversation
was leading up to request for him (witness)
to visit Blaine in Guiteau's interest, and
forestalled II by saying his relations with
Blaine were such that he could not possibly
and him (the prisoner) any. Witness had
formed an opinion Of Guiteaus mental
strength, but could not express an opinion
of his sanity or insanity. His impression
was that Guiteau had au lily balanced mind.
In common parlance he did not have good
common sense. Witness was asked in rea-
ton to the political status just pljor to the
shooting of President Garfield, If there were
not elements of discord in the Republican
party which threatened to disrupt it. His
reply was: l think the Republican party q
pretty difficult one to disrupt, and while
there were elements of dscord, my belief in
the good sense of the rank and file is such
/ think 1t would have hold together.
Upon cross-examinstion, witness never
saw anything in Guiteau to indicate that
he could not distinguish between right and
wrong.
Edward Daniels testified that be thought
Guiteau crazy.
Scovil,e made sensation by summoniug
David Davis, Speaker Randall, Senator Day
ard and President Arthur, saying they had
been subpenaed.
Scovile then read number of newspapers,
and slips found on the prisoner at the time
of bis arrest.
Guiteau interrupted, saying there were
number of them when arrested, which he
took frsm stalwart, liberal and balf-bresd
papers, whenever he saw anything to cause
encouragement In his inspiration.
When Scoville was reading clipping a
stir was noticeable about the door leading TO
the witness room, and in q moment Senator
David Davis was seen going toward the wit
ness stand. The reading ceased. The Seu-
ator was sworn, and Scoville proceeded TO
question him on political philosophy. The
Judge was non-conmiial on everything, and
continually demurred 10 the line OF proceed
ings. Judge DAVIS was excused alter few
moments. aud for q minute occupied seat
on the bench with Judge Cox, where he
stueied the countenance Of the prisoner for
some time, and then left the Court room.
Bailey, the District Attorneys stenogrs-