Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-11-30
TRIAL OF GUITEAU.
Story of the Assassination.
The DiStrictAtlOrney'S Opening
Address.
SECRETARY BLAINE AS A WITNESS
HIS ACCOUNT OF THE GOEAT CRIME.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18th, 1881.
The Criminal Court room, where the
trial Of Charles J. Guteau for the mur
der Of President Garfield is in progress,
commenced to ill with spectators about
half past nine o'clock this morning
from the east door. There were many
ladies among the spectators to day.
By 9;45 o'clock the seats inside the
bar were well filled, and when the
west door was opened, within a few
minutes the seats and space outside
were solid mass Of humanity. Alta
few minutes to 10 o'clock the twelve
Jurors marched up in procession
from the National hotel. Hating on
the steps q photographer took a pic.
ture Of them. They are quartered on
the third floor, on the east side of the
hotel, where the rooms, for their &C.
commodation, are connected Here,
shut out from the outside world and
guarded by Bailiffs A. r Searles, r..
f. Shryock and Geo. &. Curtis, when
not in Court, they take their meals at
common table and spend their time
as best they can. Just before 10 o'clock
Mr. Davidge, with Judge Porter and
Judge Smith, were in their places, and
Mr.. Scoville, MIR. Robinson and Mr.. J.
W. Gulteau appeared soon afterwards.
Mrs. Scoville was also present, accom-,
panied by her little daughter, seven or
eight years old,
THE COURT WAS CALLED TO ORDER
at ten minutes past ten, and, as usual,
the formalities of calling the jury roll
occupied some minutes, during which
the spectators, who were crowded in
every quarter Of tho court house, were
composing themselves for a long ses.
sion. Guteau was then brought in
clinging tightly to a bundle Of news.
papers which ho had brought with
him from the Jail. When the jury roll
was completed all the jurors not on
this panel were discharged till to NOR.
row morning.
ANOTHER EXCITING SCENE IN COURT.
Mr.. Scoville, rising, said he wished
to say few words in relation to an
occurrence on the first day between
himself and his associate. lie wanted
to say that in fact there had been no
disagreement between them, and since
comforting together, there had been no
lack Of harmony.
This statement was followed by n
scene. Guiteau arose and said "Ii
your honor please, ! object to Mr..
Robinson serving on the case. | want
him out of the case"
al want you TO understand distinct.
ly," said Judge Cox, "that your labors
as counsel in this case Gas you claim to
be your own counse) will be confined
strictly to consultation with your coun.
sci, You will not be heard by the
court, and if you persist in these at
tempts you will be removed from the
court by the officers"
Guiteau, who had sat down, tried to
strnggle TO bis feet, but was held back
by the officers. He then howled from
bis chair, beating the table with his
fist, al would like to be heard in de-
fence Of my case"
"You will have an opportunity to be
heard, perhaps" said the court, Eat the
close Of the case. Counsel has been
assigned TO you"
"But without my consent" said tho
prisoner. "I'll have this thing 90 out
to the country and make a noise about
it, The country is bigger than this
court"
He sat in silence for q moment, and
then raising his voice again said 81
want to say there is not one word Of
truth in that Posts special from Chi.
cago. II is an absolute lie fro n begin.
ming to end" Then be again muttered
something about going before the coun.
try and making o noise. Then he
spoke aloud and very emphatically as
follows: 81 wouldn't trust my case to
the best lawyer in the country. One
or two blunderbusses might compro.
mise my whole defence"
Mr. Scoville here expostulated quiet.
ly with the assassin, but TO no avail.
He broke out Immediately, "li Mr.
Robinson bad proper respect for him.
self he would get of the case. That's
my opinion about him"
He remained silent then for several
minutes, then suddenly exclaimed
"lfyour honor please, | am here in
the capacity Of an agent OF the Deity,
and ! am going TO assert my rights in
;hat capacity. don't propose to come
here on my hands and knees. That's
the view take of this matter, and the
view supposed your honor bad"
While theso rambling remarks were
being made by Guitcau with long
pauses, space was being cleared for
District Attorney Corkhill before the
jury. Secretary Blaine had arrived,
accompanied by his two sons Walker
and Robert and Mr. Sevollon A. Brown.
They took seats at the District Attor.