River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-15
CU|TEAU'S TRIAL.
The Prisoner Interrupts
Counsel, Witnesses or
Judge, Whenever the
Spirit Moves.
The Trial Conducted in Such
Shape as to Bring Reproach
Upon the Judge and
Disgust the People.
SIXTEENTH DAY.

OF chicago was called 10 the stand.
The witness was asked in relation to
the political status of the republican
party just prior to the shooting of the
president, if there were not elements
of disorder which threatened a disrup-
ton. His reply was; 81 think the re-
publican party a pretty difficult one to
disrupt, and while there were elements
of discord my belief in the good sense
of the rank and file is such that think
| it would have held together" Upon
cross-examination the witness said: 81
never saw anything in Guiteau to inGi-
cate that he could not distinguish be-
tween right and wrong. | never saw
anything in the conduct of the prisoner
that would indicate that he didn't know
the difference between guilt and inno-
cence. | never saw anything to indi-
cate that he would not be responsible
| for crime.
AS the lame of Speaker Randall,
Senator Bayard, and President Arthur
were called, all eyes were centered on
the witness, but no witness appeared
and Scoville read number of newspa-
per slips found on the prisoner at the
time of his capture.
| NhIbCau interrupted W say Itlftb llC
had hundred of them when arrested.
| They we're taken from stalwart, liberal
and halfbreed papers. Whenever be
saw anything which confirmed his in
| spiration, he cut it out and pondered
over it.
While Scoville was reading the clip
pings, stir became noticeable about
the door leading to the witness room,
and in a few minutes Senator David
Davis was seen going toward the wit
ness stand. The witness ceased, the
senator was sworn, and Scoville pro-
ceeded to put questions to him in po-
litical philosophy. The Judge was
non-committal on everything, and con-
tinually demurred to the line of pro-
ceeding.
Bailey, a stenographer, was Lut upon
the stand and Guiteau became at once
excited He charged the witness with
coming to him as a New York Herald
reporter and trying to get him into an
| interview, the notes of which were
used by the district attorney.
| Bailey afterwards gave up the report
| from his notes for the New York Herald,
and Guiteau wanted to know what he
received for it, 1t was finally brought
out that Bailey had been given $780,
The prisoner was worked up consider
ably and contradicted witness, accus-
| ing him of perpetrating fraud upon
him. Scoville wanted Bailey's notes
| but they had been destroyed.
Afterwards Scoville resumed reading
of the clippings, and there being no
other witnesses the court adjourned.
SEVENTEENTH DAY.
When Guiteau arrived at the court
| this morning, an immense crowd
| thronged the sidewalk, and the prison
er became greatly frightened and beg
ged the officers to take him around to
the back entrance. He was finally
| persuaded that the guard was ample
to protect him, and with trembling
steps and cringing gait he shuffied
| through the angry crowd. AFFECT fear
was depicted on his countenance, and
it was several minutes before he re-
gained his usual cemposure.
RICHARD j. HINTON,
editor of the Washington Gazette, had
seen the prisoner at the republican
headquarters in New York and formed
the opinion that he was exceedingly
Unbalanced and egotistic.
Witness was asked what be thought
of the prisoners speech on Garfield
ane Hancock, and replied his opinion
was it was ridiculous affair.
Guiteau became very much incensed
and shouted out, "Well, it wasn't any
thing of the kind. You don't know
what you are talking about. My speech
received the Endorsement of the best
men of the country"
The witness then resumed his testi-
mony by saying the prisoner seemed
perfect nuisance about the room, but
was interrupted by g., who retorted:
''YoUR A NUISANCE YOURSELF;
I'd rather be hung as man, than ac-
quilted as fool, and | won't have any
more OF this kind of evidence"
Witness added that he was laughing
stock so far as he conld see.
Guiteau become greatly enraged, and
turning to Scoville, said: ''If you pnt
any more of these cranky fellows on
the stand I'll square you again; it was
great piece OF impertinence on your
part to put Judge Dawson on the stand
without consulting me; Pm no fool,
and won't allow you to make me out
one"
DIR. CHAS. II. NICHOLS,
of the Bloomdale asylum, replied to
the Hypothetical question propounded
by Scoville, if the evidence to which |
have listened is correct, | should say
the prisoner is insane.
Some discussion arose in relation to
the form OF the questions proposed,
touching the responsibility of the pris-
oner. and the witness was allowed to
retire for the present.
DIR. Folsom, of Boston. thought if the
hypothetical proposition put by Scoville
correct in all particulars. The prisoner
was insane. especially when he shot
President Garfield
DIR. SAMUEL WORCESTER,
of Salem, declined to express an opin-
ion until the counsel explained more
definitely what was meant by the term
"inspirational."
Guiteau (impatiently)-When inter-
probation by the Deity on my mind of
a thought and power foreign to my
own will and mind. That's what is
meant, I've told you dozen times.
Witness was finally told by Scoville
to stand aside.
DIR. VIM. W. GoDDING,
of the government asylum for the in
sane at Washington, thought the pris-
oner undoubtedly insane.
DIR. James H. Mcbride, Of Milwan- |
kee, and DIR. Chauncey, of Brookline,
Mass, also thought, taking all hypo- |
thetical propositions to be true, that
the prisoner was insane.
DIR. T. W. FISHER,
of Boston, would dislike to be confined |
to statement of facts contained in |
hypothetical questions, but if COMPEL |
ed to answer, would say he should |
Judge the prisoner was insane.
Witness was informed by the prose- |
cution that they would want him as |
witness.
Scoville announced he had no more |
and demanded that subp@nas be issued |
for Gen. Grant, ex-senator Conkling, |
Gov. Jewell, and others he mentioned. |
Finding no objection was made to
his interruption, Guitean proceeded to |
make an incoherent harangue, while |
his counsel smiled complacently, as if |
feeling the prisoner was making more
headwayy with the. jury than any ex-
pert testimony could compass. He |
was finally silenced by Judge Cox, and /