Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-12-27
GENERAL NEWS.
The Trial Of the Assassin Still
in Progress.
The Steamer West Point DESTROYED
by an Explosion.
japan is Desirous of Extending
Its Commercial Relations
Tho Trial orc,,,.o,

aid on the stand.
Guiteau. who had Just taken his seat
looked over to the jury and sall: "These
experts are doing this business with
good deal of parrot like talk. DR.. Nc.
Donald deviates somewhat from the
course pursued by the rest of them I
deem it but justice to myself to say thut
| did not say to him that had admitted
tho law in relation to this matter.
Colkhill then read the second hypoth-
ecal question, upon which Guiteau COM
mented en- zassant with such expressions
as, "That's absolutely false; that is that
fellow Shaw's lie; that is all rubbish; it's
nobody's business where got the mon.
ey; l did not kill him, the doctors killed
him." etc.
The witness then proceeded at some
length to give his reasons for his opin-
ions, using the expression: II have fire..
quently noticed that his most violent in
terruptions were made when the weighty
evidence has been against him."
The counsel for the defense objected
hat the witness was usurpins the func-
lions of the jury, who could alone pass
on the fact that the evidence was for or
against the prisoner.
The court overruled the objection.
Exception by the defense.
Guiteau, who had kept unusually quiet
during the morning, here addressed the
witness, speaking without any show of
excitement: "You are making much ado
about nothing, doctor. don't pretend
I'm insane. Now tell US what you know
about Abraham, get your money and go
home"
The witness, continuing-"If I say [
analyzed the conduct and remarks of the
prisoner during the trial concluded he
had been playing the part ever since the
first day at the outset" The prisoner,
said he had directed all his abuse against
one of the counsel and afterwards
against all of them"
Guiteau-"Well you see, doctor, Cork
hill has corrupted the rest of them
Evil communications corrupt good
manners"
The first hypothecal question the pro.
secution read and objection was made
by the defense.
After argument. the court sustaining
the objection, the prosecution modified
their question and in lts modified form il
was put to the witness. He replied:
II believe the person to have been in.
sane."
Objection to the question and reply
was noted by the defense.
The witness interviewed Guiteau ir
prison and examined him on the mai
incidents of his life,including the assass.
ination, which the prisoner called my
inspiration" The witness asked hln
why, if the act was Gods, why lie die
not leave the details to the Almighty and
not practice with pistol. The prisoner
flushed little and said the Almighty
often leaves details to his agents. The
prisoner said, regarding future plans
that while he was not insane he hat
studied up insanity and believed .
jury would find that he was le
gally insane July I'd and woult
acquit him. That he would go to an in
sane asylum aud after few months tn,
commissioner of insanity would pass o,
his case and find him sane. of course
and discharge him. The witness believed
Guiteau perfectly sane man.
Terrible OIL Explosion.
Richmond, December 27-News is re
ceived here this morning from Yves
Point, on York river, OF terrible disas
ter to the steamer West Point, of til
Clyde line, plying between that poin
and Baltimore. The West Point arrive'
at West Point early yesterday and tn
gang began to discharge the cargo. The
cleared out all the freight between deck
and had gone below into the hold t
take out quantity of kerosene oil. whe
at ten minutes past Il. midday, an 9,
plosion occurred which blew the side c
tho vessel into tue river and set fire I
the ship. Nineteen persons, includir
four Of the crew and nearly all of th
stewards hands, persisted. The first on