National Republican., 1881-07-15
A COOL SCOUNDREL.
DooolNo THE PRESIDENTS STEPS.
The Danger General Garfield Was In from the As.
ssssin's Bullet Previous to the Tragedy
at the u. 4 p. Depot-Complete
Evidence Of His Sanity.

Colonel George b. Corkhill, United
scates district attorney hosgvcn out for publication
astatcmCnt cmbodying the facts he has acquired in
regard to the deliberate manner in which the MS.
sassin Guieau planned the murder OF the Presi-
dent. Although this statement contains but little
that has not already been made known, yet II is
important as nuthoritatvely showing the cool VIII
lainy OF the assassin, and furnishing complete
evidence Of his sanity. The statement is ms fol.
lows:
"The interest felt by the public in the details Of
the assassination, and the many stories published,
justify me in stating that the following is correct
and accurate statement concerning the points to
which reference Is made: The assassin, Charles
Guitoau, came to Washington city on Sunday
evening, March G, 1881, and stopped at the Ebbitt
House, remaining only one day. He then secured
a room in another part the city, and has boarded
and rOomcd NJ various places, the full details OF
which have. On Wednesday, May 49, 1881, the
assassin determined to murder the President. He
had neither money nor pistol at the time. About
the last Of May he went into oMeara's
store, corner Of Fifteenth and F streets
in this city, and examined some
pistols, asking Tor the largest caibre. He was
shown two, similar IN calibrc, and only different
In the price on Wednesday, June s, he purchased
the pistol which he used, for which he paid $40,
he having In the meantime borrowed els of gen.
tlcman in this city, on the plea that he wanted to
pay his board bill. on tho same evening about
seven o'clock he took the pistol and went to the
foot Of Seventeenth street and practiccd firing at
board, firing ten shots. He then returned to his
boarding place and wiped the pistol dry and
wrapped II In his coat, and waited his oppor.
tunity. ON Sunday morning, June 12, he
was sitting in Lafayette Park and saw the
President leave for the Christian Church
| on Vermont avenue, and he at once returned to
hia obtained ,,,,tt la, tu
pocket and followed the President 10 church. lie
entered the church, but found he could not kill
him there without danger Of killing some one else.
lie noticed that the President sat near window
| after chuTch he made an examination Of the win
| dow, and found he could reach Il without any
| trouble and that from this point he could shoot
| the President through the head without killing
Guy one else. The following Wednesday he
went TO the church, examined the location
and the window and became satisfied he
could accomplish his purpose, and he de-
| tormincd therefore, to make the attempt at
| the church the following Sunday He learned from
the papers that the President would leave the city,
| on Saturday, the 18th of June, with Mrs. Garfield
| for Long Branch. lie therefore determined to
meet him at the depot. He left his boarding place
about Eve o'clock Saturday morning, June Is, and
yrnt down TO tho river at the foot Of Seventeenth
street and fired Ave shots to practice his aim and
be certain his pistol was in good order. He then
went TO the depot. and was in the ladies' waiting
room Of the depot, with his pistol ready, when the
presidential party entered. lie says Mrs. Garfield
looked so weak aud frail that he had not the
heart TO shoot the President in her presence,
and, ss lie knew he would have another oppor.
tunty, no left the depot. lie had previously
engaged n carriage to take him to the Jail. on
Wednesday evening the President and his son,
and, think, United States Marshal Henry, went
out for ride The assassin took his pistol and
| followed them, aud watched them for some time
| in hopes the carriage would stop, but no oppor-
tuuty was given. On Friday evening" July l. he
was sitting on the scat In the park opposite the
White House, when he saw the President ccme out
nlone; ho followed him down the Avenue 10 Fif-
tceuh street, and then kept on the Opposide side
of the street mp Fiftccnth until the President en-
tered the residence Of Secretary Blaine. He waited
at the corner of Mr. Morton's late residence,
corner Of Fifteenth and H. for some time
and them as he was afraid he would attract attcn-
tiOn, he went into the alley in the rear of Mr.
M0rtons residence, examined his pistol, and
waited. The President and Secretary Blaine came
ont together, and he followed them over to the
gate OF the White House, but could get no oppor-
tunity to use his weapon. On the morning of Sat-
urdny, July ., he breakfasted at the Riggs House
about seven o'clock. lie then walked up into the
park and sat there for an hour. He then took q
horse Avenue car and rode to Sixth street
gol oul hnu went INTO inc ucpot ana loltcrcd
around there; had his shoes BACKED; engaged a
hackman for So to take him to the Jui went into
the water closet and took his pistol out of his hip
pocket and unwrapped the paper from around IT,,
which he had put there for the purpose OF pre-
venting the pcrspiration from the body dampen-
ing the powder examined his pistol, carefully tried
the trigger, and then returned and took seat in
the ladies waiting room, and as soon as the Prcsi
dent entered advanced behind him and fired two
shots These incts think can be relied upon as
accurate, and give them to the public to contra
dict certain false rumors in connection with this
| most ntrocious Of ntrocious crimes"