Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-28
Pronounces Beecher a Crank.
Gen. Logan ON the Stand.
Guiteau's "Ex-Wife" . Witness.
Testimony Of Mrs. Scoville.


or three hundred remained about the outer
doors. unable to enter. General interest or
curiosity has undoubtedly been heightened by
the daily reports of Guiteau's eccentric per-
formances and many spectators visit the
court room fully expecting first class COM
edy amusement. Upon the opening OF the
court. Scoville read a telegram from Emery
Storrs of Chicago. in which he said that he
could not possibly, at present, owing to MS
professional engagements, come to Washlng-
ton to testify in the Guiteau trial.
Scovllle said that under the circumstances
he would not insist upon an attachment for
Storrs. Mr.. Davidge, speaking for the pros
ecution, was willing to have Storrs put upon
the stand at any time during the trial, and
this understanding was accepted.
Thos. North then resumed the witness
stand and was cross-examined very closely
at great length by Davidge. Guiteau inter-
rupting at the very outset, and protested that
there was no truth in witness story. Wit
ness was questioned in relation to a fight be-
tween Guiteau and his father, Luther W.
Guiteau. He had a good memory ami could
remember most everything, but did not recall
anv such scene. No attention was paid to
the interruption, and Guiteau, after shaking
hands and chatting pleasantly with his brother
and sister devoted himself to the morning
papers.
tiuiteau read carefully the report Of yes
tertlay's proceedings and then busted him
self for some minutes in writing his autho-
graph. Returning again to his papers some
thing attracted his attention and he moved
uneasily in his chair as if about to say some
thing. Just as the witness was released from
the stand Guiteau improved the momentary
lull 20 make his first speech of the day. He
said: 81 notice my friend Henry Ward
Beecher is doing some cranky work in this
case l used to attend his church and prayer
meetings and if your honor knew him as well
as do you would not pay any attention to
him. There is a good many people who
think him badly cranked. Society and have
no doubt that Mrs. Tilton told the truth and
that he had lied about it and tell him so
publicly"
.sOh, well, well, prisoner that will do for
you," said Mr.. Davidge.
Guiteau was apparently satisfied and nod
ded with a smile, saying: That's all right,
Judge. I have had my say on Beecher and l
am satisfied"
Gen. John A. Logan then took the stand
and was asked, "Do you know the prise ner?"
sob, yes, of course you do. General" broke
in Guiteau. You know me very well. I'm
very happy to meet you again" The wit
ness had been beseiged by Guiteau to en-
dorse his application for Office, but he had in
variably declined for the reason that the
prisoner did not seem to be such a man as he
would care to recommend for Office. He had
never known him in Chicago. The first
time he ever saw him was when he, Guiteau,
called upon him to secure his influence. The
general impression he formed about Guiteau
was that there was something wrong in his
mental arrangement.
Geo. ID. Hubbard, a farmer living near
Oneida Community, knew Guiteau during
the six years he remained with them. Wit
ness had never been member of the Com
munity but had worked for them. His evil
dence was Of little importance. beyond his
statement that Guiteau showed quick temper
and irritablity.
Edmund f. Smith was employed at the
Republican national committee rooms during
the late presidential campaign and frequently
saw Guiteau hanging around the rooms. He
thought that Guiteau was trying to secure
some recognition from the committee, but
was confident he never received any assign
ment to speak. The witness thought Guiteau
very peculiar and Eighty and rambling in his
conversation. Guiteau here interjected his
customary comments.
1.-The gentleman was not in position to
know about matters there. He was only a
clerk. anyway. Gov. Sewall, ex-senator
Dorsey and the rest of US boys were the ones
that did the work there
The deposition of j. W. Turner of Dakota
Territory, was read. 1t related mainly to his
personal knowledge of the insanity Of Gui-
teau's aunt.
John A. Morse, colored, an attorney at
law, saw Guiteau frequently at the White
House during March and April, perhaps if
teen or twenty times; took him to be a crazy
spnko In hin, hoard hin,
speak, but the general impression he formed
from Guiteaus appearance was that he was
insane.
Up to this point the proceedings had been
rather prosy, and many of the audience who
had come to see Guiteau's 'ex-wife," as he
termed her, upon the stand, were beginning
to show signs of listless Indifference when
this witness took the stand.
The cross-examination which follow ed
caused considerable amusement, which Gui-
teau seemed to relish, decidedly, more than
did the witness.
Judge Cox announced that the court would
adjourn early, and in Consequence no recess
was taken.
Mrs. Frances Scoville, sister to the prison
er, and wife to his counsel, stated her age as
Is years. Her father was Luther A. Guiteau
of Freeport, ILL.,, and her mother was Jane
Horn. Guiteau, the prisoner, is 40 years
old. Was about seven years old when her
mother died; she remembered her mother
from the time the witness was three years
old. She was sick very long time at the
time Charles was born. Had been told her
sickness lasted year and half. Remem-
Der seeing her head shaved perfectly bald
This was before Charles was born. Her aunt
had subsequently given her (among other
keepsakes) the hair then shaved
from her mothers head. After that time her
mother always wore a cap. Never saw her
mother walk in the street after that. There
were two children born subsequently. Lu-
Their, the older, who died when he was years
old. and was born with crooked foot and
limb. and Julia Catherine, who died when =
months old, six weeks after her mothers
death. Her mothers sickness was ATTENDED
with a very severe pain in her head, and her
hair never grew again.
Her first recollection of Charles was as
troublesome child because he was so verv ae-
tive and smart. He was sent to school quite
young, when six years old, to learn to talk
He could make noise but could not talk
IL. 81. G.,