Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-26
GUITEAUS SOLITARY CONFINFMENT.

THE PRISONER AT THE JAII.-PRECAUTIONS TAKEN
TO KEEP HIM IN IGNORANCE-THE "KNOw
NOTHING" GUARDS
Guiteau still remains in Jail. At least it is
safe to assume that, as a fact, from the great
precautions taken to prevent people from get
ting into the building. Visitors day has been
temporarily abolished. Visitors are not allowed
beyond the waiting room, just inside of the en-
trance. If things are brought for prisoners they
are taken into them by guards. The attendants
at the Jail are under strict orders not to cOmmuni-
cate with Guteau and not to communicate with
people outside about him. They will not even say in
what wing of the Jail he is confined. The directions
OF the District Attorney regarding the isolation
OF the prisoner have been complied with and he
now occupies whole section of the Jail by him
sell, sans newspapers, sans books, sans COM
panions, sans everything-in absolute solitary
| cOnfnement. the horrors of which have been so
graphically portrayed by Charles Reade The
guard who appears occasionally to attend to his
wants is not allowed to communicate with him
Since the District Attorney went away Guiteau
mas even been deprived of the pleasure he had
In making statements to that official de-
tachment OF artillerymen still remain at the iail
Gulteau being in some sense prisoner of state
The Jail officials deny that Guiteau has been
kept informed of the condition of the
President and that he expressed sorrow
kept in utter ignorance. 1t is question
of interest what the effect of this solitary con-
hnement will be upon a man of Guiteau's pecu-
llar mental organization. The right of the all-
thortles to use such rigorous treatment in
GuteauS case is frequently discussed thOugh
no one makes move in his behalf The popu-
lar feeling is such that the authorities would be
sustained in the most stringent measures So
far as can be ascertained. Guiteau has not asked
the privilege OF having legal adviser. He is
fon6 CT 80
counsel would be superfiuOus. Having no one
TO Ight his case for him in court. he is "bas-
tiled'-cOmmitted to a darkness of solitude.
Wncn would excite some sympathy from the pub
nc IN the case of any other criminal. No one calls
at the Jail to see Guiteau, except the District
Attorney and his stenographer. and newspaper
reporters. Of course the latter never see him.
The following is given as sample interview
1t was held last night by a reporter with guard.
The latter had his body wedged in the opening
could not rush in. break through several grated
iron doors. defy row of hostile bayonets. and
Interview the prisoner by force:
80 is Gen. CrOcker here!
''No"
as Capt Crocker hcre?'
"No."
"Mr Russ ?"
"No."
"Who is in charge?'
am"
''What is going on inside?"
81 don't know anything"
"Is Guiteau there?"
81 suppose So"
Just at this point fat artilleryman crawled
out under the guards legs and strOlled out to
get breath of fresh air and smoke pipe.
''Are the soldiers still here:"
IL don't know"
SIS he alOne:''
'Yes-that is, I don't know"
care the guards allowed to see him?"
''NO"
"Do you know anything that you can tell?'
s'NO."
"If lawyer came to see him, would YOU
admit hm?"
I'VE would ask him first if he had sent for a
lawyer. think he would be afraid to see the
lawyer"
The reporter after having kept the door aiar
for some half an hour vainly fishing for a
point" left, thoroughly convinced of the
guards strict fidelity to duty.