Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-30
THE STORY OF HIS LIFE.
Guiteau Reluctant 20 Tessify-Affect-
ing IndisPosiston-Old Tales Re-
Vamped.

WASHINGTON, November 29.-It being
generally understood that the prisoner
would be put upon the stand to-day to testify
in his own behalf, the crowd which locked
toward the court house as early as Q O'Clock
this morning far surpassed in numbers
that of any previous day. The doors were
/ besieged, and the policemen had great diff
/ fculty in preventing forcible ingress into
the court room, which was already filed to
its utmost capacity. The regulations, which
have formerly been so successful in admit
| ting without difficulty those persons who
morning Of no utility, and the Judge, coun'
sci and experts had to fight their way
| through.
Guiteau was called to the witness stand,
and took his place, closely guarded by two
policemen and the court officers. he was
asked by Mr.. Scoville to give some incidents
| from his earliest reconections of his mother.
He replied: cam to be put on as regular
witness to day. or only to identify some let
| tiers? / supposed the latter. am not feel
ing at all well o-day, but shall feel much
| better in the course CT the week"
Mr.. Scoville-"I had arranged to ex-
anime you to day, and there are no other
witnesses present"
Guiteau-ssYou shoul1 have had your
the stand when l am not feeling well, to
be subjected to a cross-examination
by the counsel for the prosecution. have
got good deal to say. want to go over
The whole business carefully and scientific
ally, so to speak, and I want to be in good
talking condition"
Mr.. Scoville-'T shall only ask you some
simple questions"
Guiteau-sI am willing to answer, pro-
vided the prosecution will not take sd-
vantage of my presence on the stand to
force me to state my entire defense"
Judge Porter, of the prosecution, sug-
gested that the letters put In evidence yes
terday be read. After some discussion,
Judge Cox said If the witness went on the
stand to testify he must submit to being
cross-examined, and If his examination as
witness was begun it could not be suspended
except by consent of counsel Of the other
side.
Guiteau (nodding his head approVingly)-
''That's the rule Judge as | understand II. :"
After further discussion Guiteau left the
stand and Mr.. Scoville read the letters. All
were written by Guiteau to his father and
other members Of mis- family.
Mr.. Scoville proceeded to read letters
passing between Guiteau and his relatives
from 1857 to 1877. With the exception OF a
strong religious feeling shown In those from
the Oneida Community, there was nothing
indicative Of mental arrangement In them.
When the reading was finished. Mr.. SEQ
vile proceeded with his examination Of
the prisoner, who was at first very reluct-
ant to answer his questions, but soon bega
to talk rapidly and gave a graphic and at
times amusing sketch of incidents in
his career. Most of these facts have been
already brought out In the testimony taken.
He literally denounced the Oneida Com
munity and reproached his father for hav-
ing, as he said, driven him into this vile and
fanstical association, saying he was only
kept there by fear of eternal damnation If
he left the community. Speaking OF his
father, he said he was a terrible "crank, I"
which he explained as meaning a badly
insane man. He gave a rather ludicrous
description of his admission TO the bar and
his peculiar mode of forcing business, say
ing he had made 1000 by his first years
practice. Then, he said, upon leaving Chi
cago came bad luck. He was incarcerated
in the TOmbs In New York for a boarding
debt, and said it was the unhappiest expe-
rience of his life. He thought he would go
crazy there. He had not taken bath for
thirGy five days. Upon being released he
went to Chicago again.
He here detailed his scheme for buying
the Inter Ocean, and explained the failure
Of his plan, saying he had given valuable
ideas, which had been taken advantage OF
by the present proprietors Of that paper.
He gave an account of his lecturing expert
ences, of the ill-reception Of his lecture by
people generally, but insisted that his book
had forever settled the question Of the Sec
ond coming of Christ. After telling OF his
experience while ''beating" his way to the
East again, and OF several narrow escapes
from Imprisonment and other misfortunes,
Guitesu said he was tired, and the court ad-
iOurned