Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-25
THE TRIAL OF GUITEAU.
HIS STATEMENT IN COURT.
HIS WARNING TO CRANKS.


giving day seemed only to whet the prevailing GU
riosity to see Guteau in the courtroom. Thi:
morning early the attack upon the portals OF the
City Hall was renewed with great vigor. The
strength Of the small garrison OF police and depu
ties was tested to the utmost The prisoner ar
rived, as usual, about nine O'Clock, his passage
from the Jail not being marked by any eSpecia
incident. He regaled himself before court opened
on tempting breakfast, served in his room up
stairs, after which he appeared fortified for the
ordealS of the day. Mr.. John w. Guiteau and Mrs
Scovie arrived early, and the corps of experts
were also in their places several minutes before the
court opened Mr.. John Guiteau serves as gen.
eral utility man for the defence, keeping track OF
the correspondence, attending to the witnesses
and presiding over the headquarters of the defence
at the fremont House. Judge Porter and Mr.. Da.
vidge, with their accustomed punctuality, arrived
promptly at ten o'clock, just as the jurors were
being ushered in.
CAUTION TO THE SPECTATORS FROM MARSHAL
HENRY.
When the crowd had been seated and before the
court was raped to order, Marshal Henry stood
up in front of the crowd and made little speech
He said that he hoped good order would be pre-
served during the trial, and that they would re-
member that this was a court Of justice. Any
demonstration of approval or disapprob3tion, he
said might be followed by general clearing out
OF the courtroom.
When Mr. Scoville arrived he was provided with
an immense package OF letters and papers. He
sorted them out, filing few which he wanted for
immediate reference in his hat, which rested on
the table in front of him.
Mrs. Blaine and Mrs. Robson were present as
spectators to-day
THE COURfwAs CALLED TO ORDER
at 10:07 O'Clock. The prisoner was Immediately
brought into court by Bailiff Tall. When his hand
cuffs were removed, he used up considerable
energy, blowing his nose. He then took out a
manuscript which he proceeded to study.
THE COURT ADMONIsHEs THE AUDIENCE.
When the usual preliminarfeS were over, the court
said that before proceeding to the trial. he thought
1t appropriate to admOnish the audience that all
demonstrations of any kind were out OF order, and
unless they kept order, he would have to take
some means to limit the attendance.
A Statement in Court by the Prisoner.
He BLAMEs THE NEWSPAPERS FOR HIS CRIME AND
WARNS ALL CRANkS TO KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF
HIM.
Mr. Scoville rising said he would like the court
to hear q statement by the prisoner.
The court assented, and Guiteau unro,led his
manuscript ''It will only take about three min
uteS," he said. 81 will read it."
Mr. Scovllle told him to stand up.
Guiteau replied: "NO, won't. I amt afraid,
however" He then read the following from his
seat, using considerable gesticuatiOn as he read:
81 propose to have all the facts bearing in this
case 20 10 the court and jury. To this end have
been forced to interrupt my counsel and witnesses
WHO were mistaken as to their supposed facts.
meant no diScOurteSy to them or any one. Any fact
In my career bearing On the question: Who Fired
That Shot The Deity or Me- is or vital impor-
tance In this case. propose to have it go to the
Jury to assist them In answering the question.
Hence my personal, religious and theological and
political record must be developed. am glad that
your honor and the opposing counsel are disposed
TO give wide hearing to this historical review Of
my life, and ask the press and public to do like
wise All want is absolute justice, and l shall
not allow any Measurements crooked work in
the case. 1 have no idea that my counsel or wit
crooked SilnNlV a
often mistaken on their supposed facts, and shall
have To correct them as the case proceeds. Last
papers, whom Go not care just to mention
by name, were bitterly denOuncing the President
for for Wrecklag the republican party by the unwise
to reprint their editorials now and see how they
look and sound. In attempting to remove the
President only did what these newspapers said
ought to be done. Since July ID they have been
deifying the President and damning me for doing
the very thing they said ought to be done.
with me the, odium of his death.
account, Notwithstanding these newspapers, had 1
not been specially commissioned, as believed, by
the Deity to do the act; but this fact does not re-
posed disgrace OF his removal Had he been prop
cry treated, he would have been alive to-day.
has o "ny h ke @ hays
is false. l have always been a reli-
gious man and an active worker for God, and
think am a murderer, but am sure the Lord
does not as He inspired the act, just as he did in
the case OF Abraham and scores of others mem
last Saturday by crank, has been condemned
by the entire American press The eyes OF
and 1t behooves the court and the ins trOpClitan
police to see that am protected at all hazards,
and presume they feel the Importance OF my pro-
degree to keep away from me, under penalty OF
In otant deaf tn. That crank would have been shot
dead Saturday had it not been for the rearing OF
the horses at the moment my guard fired at him.
The horses shook the van SO that he lost his aim
on the man, and, after following him six or seven
ment on cranks. Ali they can see in this case IS
policeman's revolver. Again. say II they value
their lives keep away from me or they VIII be shot
dead. l desire the court and jury to dispose OF
this case on the facts and law, and thus let all
parties abide the verdict"
GUITEAUs NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
Mr.. ScOville said he wished to call attention
again to those newspaper clippings taken from the
prisoner. He had been furnished copies by the
district attorney. He wanted the originals.
Here followed a coll0quy between Messrs. Da
vidge and Scovile, in which the former reiterated
his statement OF Wednesday, and offered again to
let the defence see the papers. Meanwhile the
papers were brought from the district attorneys
office and placed In Mr.. Scoyilie's hands for in
spect!on, and the controversy was ended.
SENATOR LOGAN AND EMORY sTORRS ARE CALLED,
BUT DO NOT RESPOND.
"Please call John A Logan"
The crier called the name OF the Illinois Senator
in the corridor, and returning reported laconi-
cally, "Not here, sir" Emory A. Storrs was called
with like result.
Guiteau Makes n Statement as to His
Divorced Wife.
The prisoner taking advantage of the lull spoke
up again: 81 want to make another statement,
your honor" he said. 81 understand my divorced
wife is here and is totestify in this court. ! had
no business to marry that lady. She was unfortu-
nate / will drag her whole record before this
court. She had been seduced In Philadelphia and
had child, 1t Is entirely irrelevant to this issue,
and am going to show her up nOw.'
Chas. H. Reed was called by the defence but did
not answer.
AN AGED WITNESS WHO KNEW GUITEAu's FAMILY.
Jos. B. Smith, an old gentleman with smooth
face, was called and sworn. He testified that he
was n years old, and had resided in Freeport,
Illinois, for 35 years. He knew Luther W. Guiteau.
He testified to his religious eccentricities; that he
was always sincere, and his honesty waSnever 1n-
pugned In 1S46 L. w .Guiteau was school commits
siOner OF the county afterwards he police mag
fstrate, clerk OF the circuit court and recorder OF
deeds; subsequently he was chosen cashier OF the
Second National bank, which Office he held until
his DEATH He was at one time engaged in mer-
camille business and failed witness knew his Il.
w. Gu1teaus) first wife, who was an invalid, and
wore a cap; the elder Guiteau was Of very
excitable temperament; he became very much
agit;.ted when discussing religious questions.