Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-12-07

This is fine as steel plate There
were about twenty letters which had
been written by the prisoner to his
father, his sister, Mrs Scoville, and
his brother, j. NJ. Guiteau, and to Mr..
| Scoville.
Indentifcation having been complet-
ed the court adjourned.
THE ASSASSIN TAKES THE WITNESS
STAND.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Nov. %
The crowd in ald about the court this
morning is greater than ever. Imme-
diately upon the opening of court Gui-
teau wds called to the witness stand,
and took his place, closely watched and
guarded by policeman and court officers.
He was asked by Mr. Scoville to give
some incidents from his early recollec-
tions of his mother
Guiteau replied: Am to be put on
as regular witness to-day, or only to
identify some letters? | supposed the
latter. ] am not feeling at all we'll to-
day, but shall feel much better in
week or So
Mr.. Scoville-I had arranged to ex-
anime you to-day, and there are no
other witnesses present.
PLEADS INDIsposITIoN
Guiteau-You shonld have had your
witnesses on hand | object to going
on the stand when l am feeling unwell
to be subjected to cross-examination
by counsel for the prosecution. | have
got good deal to say. / want to go
over the whole business carefully and
scientifically $50 to speak). and want
to be in good talking condition.
Mr.. Scoville-I shall ask you some
simple questions.
Guiteau-I am willing to answer
providing the prosecution will not take
advantage of my presence on the stand
to force me to state my entire defense.
Judge Porter (of the prosecution)
suggested that the papers and letters
which were put in evidence and identi-
fed yesterday should be read, as they
must necessarily he at some stage of
the trial.
Mr.. Scoville explained he had en-
deavored to arrange for the introduce
tion of this evidence according to his
idea of propriety and legal fitness. He
knew the prisoner was not feeling well
to-day and he: expected he would be-
come tired or exhausted, when he had
proposed to ask the indulgence of the
Court and postpone further examina-
ton. He did desire, however, to ask
the prisoner few questions to-day.
OBJECTS TO cRoss-EXAMINATIoN.
Guiteau-I am perfectly willing to
do that, but | do not want the prose-
cution to take advantage of my pres
ence here to cross-examine me to-day.
Mr. Scoyille-The Court will re-
lieve you if you feel i'll.
Guiteau-With that understanding /
will go on.
Col. Corkhill-We can't submit to
any such arrangement as that.
Mr.. Scoville- don't ask your con-
sent | shall appeal to the Ceurt.
Judge Cox stated that if witness
went upon the stand to testify he must
submit to being crossexamined, and
il his examination as witness was
begun 1t could not be suspended except
by consent of counsel on the other side.
Guiteau (nodding his head approx
ingly)-That's the rule, Judge, as
understand it.
LETTERS READ IN EVIDENCE.
After some further discussion, Gui-
teau was removed from the stand, and
Mr.. Scoville proceeded to read the let
tiers. They were all written by Gui-
teau to his father and other members
of his family, and covered period of
fifteen or twenty years. AS the read
ing of ihe letters progressed Guiteau
occasionally commented upon them or
suggested proper word when Scoville
hesitated While one dated from the
Oneida Community was being read,
Guiteau said, Well, you can see was
badly cranked about that time At
another Mr.. Scoville hesitated and
said, Here is word | cannot make
out Civilization is the word, prompt
ed Guiteau You can see how badly
mixed up l got in that miserable Com
munity. 1t makes me mad every time
l think of it. l wish those letters
were ouG of existence
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