Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-08-17
THE ASSASSIN.
Guiteau Procures a Knife and As
sau'ts His Guard.
In the Melee a Pistol is Dis
charged, but the Assassin
Escapes Without
Injury.
Gu,teau Get. q Kn,se.

|
guard of the Jail, was passing through
the corridor something in the appear
ance of Guiteau's cell attracted his at
tention. Entering the cell he found the
assassin in possession Of a knife. How
he obtained it is mystery. When he
demanded the knife Guiteau refused to
surrender it. Mr.. McGill drew his pistol
and then an exciting tussel ensued, Gui-
teau making every exertion to get the
pistol. He succeeded after a
struggle, but McGill, after the
most strenuous exertion regained
possession of it. In the struggle that
followed the weapon was discharged and
the report brought other guards to the
assistance of McGill, and Guiteau was
finally, disarmed. He had succeeded,
however, in cutting McGill's clothing
pretty badly and came very near infict-
ing dangerous wound. Guiteau pre-
tended to be crazy, and complained that
his pistol had been taken from him. All
facts indicate that Guiteau was possibly
meditating an escape, and he had form :
cd some desperate plan. His assump-
tion of insanity is believed to be dodge
as he has acted as if perfectly sane all
along.
i Washington, Aug. 1.-THE reported
attempt of Guiteau to kill guard at the
jail this morning is entirely without
foundation.
NOT HOAX.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE previous
dispatch stating that there was no truth
in the report that Guiteau had attempt
ed to kill one Of the guards is based on
information received from police head
quarters. There is every reason to be-
lieve that the police authorities have
falsified the facts.
THE TROUBLE EXPLAINED.
Executive Mansion, August l7--Ma-
jor Brock, of the metropolitan police
force, who Just come to the executive
mansion, summoned telephone mo-
, ment ago and enquired by policeman
whom he had despatched to the Jail to
ascertain what truth there was in the re-
port that Guiteau had attempted to as
sassnate one of the guards, was inform
! ed that the guard was standing immedi-
ately outside the door OF the cell when
he noticed the prisoner acting strangely
. trying to hang himself. The guard
| t1n 4 q L:
: a scutiie ensued, during which the guard
: drew his pistol il seif-defence and it was
4 accidentally discharged. Hearing the
. report another guard rushed to the
scene and separated the men. There
q was no damage done by the discharge O
the weapon. Guiteau volunteered t.
Is explain. ltis thought he was attempt
ing to escape, but Warden Crocker state
d his belief that no attempt at escape we
j. made. The theory is that Guteau. whs
,r has been extremely irritable
/. for some time, became SC
"a much enraged at the sudden en-.
If trance OF the guard that he was led into
.. this exhibition OF violence.
a, FUR RrHER PARTICULARS.
= Washington, Aug. 1.-THE news il
r jail of the presidents critical condltio.
o. and the strengthening Of the Jail guard
h. yesterday excited Guiteau, causing hin
os to pace his cell and ask anxiously fo
"a the president. a story reached the jai
IL, that the president was dying and Gui
1t teau climbed up the win
IS dows and otherwise seemed
an excited. Guard McGill watche,
Mt closely, fearing he would attempt sui
of eide, and opened the cell, and seeins
of something in his hands, and fearing j
is was Il knife, said, "wlat are You doin!
IN with that knife" Guiteau looked III
and said. $50 help NE God | have u
) knife" McGili insisted tina, lie has
II. when Ciniteau ferociousy sprang at hi
ar throat. McGill drew bac!, aud the knit
er entered his coat collar, cutting upon
II, button and made clear stroke to tn
be left shonlt!er The guard cooked his re
rs, volver, when Guiteau dropped t,,e knit
\ ana sf0ooad the pistol, crying tor bel
ed ana saying be was being shot. The pi.
pr tol was accidentally discharged and iii
e. guards entering disarmeJ G,.iteau, vii
20 SAID he WAS acting in deEp.sc. 30
as Bedford, "ha tor,noriy occupied The Gel
,r- had probably concealed knife taer
which Gniteau found II Is a "checser
or criminal substitute fora jack knit
razor and dagger blade two or thrc
inches long and half an inch hroa,
When guard remarked that he though
,r the pistol shot had settled the dog, Gu
n teau. who was well pleased with his e
he cape, said, "Why, my dear sir, that's to
We important a subject for joking. A life
he valuable"
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