The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-26
ourrEAu ASSAULTS A GUARD.
The Assassin Has Knife Made From Corset
~ Steel.

&
The Assassin Has Knife Made From Corset
Steel.
WASHINGTON, August 17.-This morning
1t 4:3O O'Clock, while Mr.. McGill, one ofthe
guards at the Jail, was passing through the
corridor, something In the appearance OF
Guiteaus cell attracted his attention. Enter
ing the cell he found the assassin In posses
sion of a knife. How he obtained 1t Is q
| mystery. When McGill demanded the knife
Guiteau refused TO surrender 1t. McGill
drew his pistol and then very exciting tus-
sic ensued, Guiteau making every exertion
TO get the pistol from the guard. He sue
ceeded AFTER struggle, but McGill, after
strenuous exertion, regained possession Of
| it. In the scufiie that followed the weapon
was discharged and the report brought the
other guards to the assistance of McGill,
and Guiteau was finally disarmed. He had
succeeded, however, in cutting McGilfs
clothing pretty badly and came near intlict-
| ing dangerous wound. Guiteau then pre-
tended to be crazy aud complained that his
pistol had been taken away from him. All
the facts indicate that Guiteau was contem-
plating an escape and he had formed some
desperate plan. His assumption OF insanity
is believed to be q dodge, as has acted per-
fectly sane all along.
| TUE WARDEN INTERVIEWED.
| Warden Croker was interviewed about
the affair. "There is not much TO it," he
said. "About 4:30 this morning, as one OF
the guards was passing Guiteau's cell, he
saw Guiteau at the window and asked him
| what he as doing there. Guiteau did not
| give him any satisfactory answer. The
| guard went into the cell to see what was up.
Guiteau turned upon him, elinched with him
| and in the struggle the guards pistol was
discharged. The ball went out of the door
and struck the dead wall opposite. There
| was no one hurt" ...... ... ..... l
"Did not Guiteau cut the guard ?" was
asked.
"He did not. Neither the guard nor Gull
teau was hurt"
"Have any rigorous measures been taken
since this attemptT'
"The guards look after him constantly,
but no more constantly than before, to pre-
vent his Injuring himself"
THE only way he could injure himself,
said Captain Vernon" who was standing
near by, "would be by hanging himself,
tearing up his bed clothes to make hal
ter"
"He has not torn his clothing or bedding
or anything" said the Warden. He Is con.
stantly under the fear of the guards. sup
pose his nervous condition might make him
little restless, and when the guard went to
see him suppose Guiteau thought 1t was an
Intrusion and clinched him. He imagined
the guard had no business there, per-
haps." ...-.
Guiteau Is not improving in looks and Is
l said by people who have seen him lately to
have the cut of pirate, his unprepossessing
looks, aided by his style Of dress, black
pants, with q colored wooden undershirt,
helping to give him the look of desperate.
In conversation, however, his voice Is rather
soft and low and his words are ably select
ed. ...r.
WASHINGTON, August 19.-Warden Crock
er admits Guiteau had knife and his deni-
ais were made before he investigated the
facts. IL was merely piece Of corset steel
sharpened like q razor. He got 1t from the
cot in his cell probably. Guiteau is still
writing up his life and details Of the crime.
He writes as though he thought the Presi-
dent dead. He receives many letters, Of
which the following is a specimen:
| Chas. Guitedu: ...
will give you $500 per night to lecture af-
ter you have served FIVE years in the Dry
Tortugas; will advertise you as the Great
| Unhung, but will not be responsible for the
caprices of Judge Lynch.