The daily gazette., 1881-07-15
STORY OF the CRIME.
The Official Account of the
Shooting Of the
President.
Guitsau Fsllowing his vietiD t.
Church, on Drives, and on Walks
for weeks Before he F1nds the
DssirsA Opportunity.
THEPREsIDENTss CONDITION RE
MAINS UNCHANGED.

) W ASRlN0vO&S 00iy AEs AASSN
States District Attorney Corkhill
has furnished tho following states
ment for publication In order to cor
rect certain erroneous assertions
which have been made relative. to
Guiteau, the would-be assassin of
President Garfield.
1.-THE interest felt BY the public
in the details of the assassination
and the many stories published,
justify me In stating that the follow
ing is q correct and accurate staten
ment concerning the points to which
reference 10 made:
The assassin Charles Guiteau
came to Washington city on Sunday
evening, March 8, 1881, and stopped
at the Ebbitt House, remaining only
one day. He then secured . room
in another part Of the city, and has
boarded and roomed at various
places, the full details Of which l
have. On Wednesday, May 18,
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
O'Meara's store, at Fifteenth and +
streets, in this city, and examined
some pistols, asking for the largest
calibre. He was shown two similar
| in calibre and only different in price.
On Wednesday, June 8, he pur-
chased the pistol which he used, for
which he paid $40, he having in the
meantime borrowed SIS Of a gentle
man in this city, on the plea that he
wanted to pay hls board bill. On
the same evening, about 7 O'Clock,
he took the pistol and went to the
foot of Seventeenth street and prac-
ticed firing at . board, firing ten
shots. He then returned to his
boarding place and wiped the pistol
dry and wrapped it in his coat, and
waited his opportunity.
"On Sunday morning, June II, b
was sitting In Lafayette Park, and saw
the President. leave for tho Chrislial
Church, on Vermont avenue, and be Q
pistol, put 1t In his hip pocket, and fol
tered the church, but found be coult
not kill him there without danger ol
killing some 'one else. BE noticed tha
the President sat near window. Afte
church he made an examination Of th'
window and found he could reach !
without any trouble, and that from thl
point he could shoot the Presiden
through the head without killing an
one eiss. The following "Wednesday b
went to the church, examined the locs
ton end the window, and became satis
fied he could aaccomplish his purpose
and be determined, therefore, to max
, the attempt at the church the foilowin
: Sunday.
ii aHe learned from the papers that ii
Presidsnt would leave the city on So
} urday, the 18th Of June, with Mrs.. Gsl
field, for Losg Branch. BE therefor
determined to meet him ct tho dspo
, ne lett his boarding place abou.
O'Clock Saturday morning, june y, An
went down to the river, at the foot
Seventeenth street, and fred 6ve shot
: TO practise his aim and bo certain hi
. pistol was In good order. he then ven
! to the depot, and was In the ladies
: waiting room of the depot with the pia
tol ready when the Presidents part
entered. He says Mrs. Garfield locke
so weak and frail that he had not Il
& heart 10 shoot the President In her pre-
/. ence, and Is he knew he would ha,
: another opportunity, he left the depo
He had previously engaged . carriage
take him 10 the Jail.
"On Wednesday evening the Prei
dent and his BON and, think, unitt
States Marshal Henry, went out for
ride. The assassin took his pistol an
= followed them and watched them ft
y some time, In hopes tho carriage woul
!. stop, but no opportunity was given.
: "On Friday evening, July l, ne VI
+ sitting on the seat In the park opposi
= the White House, when he saw tt
4 President come out alone. He follow
q ed him down the avenue to Fiitsenl
street, and then kept on the opposi
side OF tho street up Fifteenth stree! n
I'll the President entered the residen,
of Secretary Blaine. He watched At u
corner Vi Mr. Mortons late residence,
Fifteenth and h streets, for some tim
and then a. he was afraid he would
tract attention, he went into the allsy
III Q rear Of Nj. Morton's residence Q
amiped his pistol, and waited. II
+. PresIdent and Secretary Blaine came o.
It together, and he followed them over.
the gate OF the White House, but cou
Is get no opportunity to use his weapon.
i. uOn tie morning Of Saturday, July
y he breskfasted at the Riggs House abo
IT o,cIock. He then walked mp In Z
park aud sat there for an hour. He thu
u took one-horse avenue car and RODE
70 sixth street, got out and went into =
depot and loitered around there ! b.