Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-23

Trial Of Guiteau, the Assassin Of
! President Garfeld-The Muir
defer Shot At.
A full jury of twelve men fer the
trial of the assassin Guiteau was not
obtained till last Wednesday, at
Washington, D. c. 1t may be signi-
fcant, and it may not be significant,
that in the first trial for the murder
of President of the Republic one
colored man was chosen on the jury.
The name of the colored juror is
Ralph Wormley.
After the oath was administered to
the jury, Lawyer Scoville, the pris-
oners brother-in-la law, arose and stated
to the Court that the prisoner had
given an address to newspaper men
without his knowledge or consent,
and that he disapproved of such a
course. Scovilles statement brought
the prisoner to his feet-he, too, be-
ing lawyer. He said that he ap-
peared in court in double capacity,
first, as a prisoner, and second, as
counsel for himself.
The particular address that Scoville
objected to is as follows
"To the legal profession of America:
am on trial for my life. l formerly prac-
| tised law in New York and Chicago, and
| propose to take an active part in my
fence, as know more about my inspiration
and views IN the case than any one. My
brother-in in-law, George Scovile, Esq, is my
only counsel, and hereby appeal to the
legal profession Of America for aid. 1 ex-
pect to have money shortly, so | can pay
them. l shall get it partly from the settle
ment of an old matter in New York, and
partly from the sale of my book, and partly
from public contribution to my defence.
Ny defence was published in the New York
Herald On October 6, and in my speech pub
lished November Is yesterday. Any
well-known lawyer of criminal capacity de-
string to assist in my defence Will please tel
egraph without delay TO George Scoville,
Washington, d. If, for any reason an ap-
piicatiOn be refused the name will be with
held from the pubic.
"CHARLEs J. GufTEAU.
"In Court, Washington, d. c., Novem-
Der l6, 1881"
The court room on Thursday was
crowded to its utmost capacity. The
assassin desired several times to speak
in defence of his rights, as he said !;
ne did not propose to have his case
damaged by laundering lawyers. The
Court quieted him by telling him that
he should be sent out of the court
room and his case should be proceed
ed with without him. He was sane
enough to understand that.
Secretary Blaine was the first wit
ness. He stated that he was at the
Presidents side when he was shot
He had recognized and followed Gui-
teau as the assassin before the police
arrested him. He gave an account
of Guiteaus persistent efforts to get
the Consul Generalship of Paris and
of his successive refusals. He de-
fined 'stalwart' to be a friend of
Grant; .half-breed, to be 'one not a
stalwart. He said Robertson was Il
'half-breed' and Conkling 'stalwart.
Others that were in the station
house on July 2, 1881, testified to the
shooting of Garfield by Guiteau
Lawyers for the assassin made no
effort to discredit the shooting of
Garfield Their questions to the wit
nesses inclined to the manner of ex-
preston of face and the action of the
prisoner when he did the shooting.
Doubtless the purpose of their effort
is to create, if possible, the impress
sion that Guiteau was crazy.
The assassin got off several scenes
in court, declaring that the Court did
not dare to remove him and carry on
the trial without him; that if the
Court would do so, the action would
be reversed by superior court. He
called his lawyers senseless, and fools.
He demonstrates quite clearly how fit
a subject he is to be hanged for the
good of society generally. Guiteau
SAYS that he is the agent of Deity.
On Friday the crowd was greater
than ON any previous day of the trial.
The indifference as to the case is dis
appearing, and appearances indicate
that the greatest of interest will again
center in the case. The lawyers for
the assassin gave notice that the de-
fense would be insanity and that the
burden of proof would have to rest
with government, land that if they
desired to offer other evidence they
must introduce it in chief before the
defense opens. Government lawyers
replied that they have their theory of
the prosecution.
On Saturday morning the first wit
ness was a man named Maynard, who
knew the prisoner during the past
twenty years. From him Guiteau
borrowed the money to buy the pis-
tol from which the President was
shot. The man that sold the pistol
was also present, and testified to the
selling of the pistol to the prisoner.
The Court gave the prisoner the right
to take part in his defense. To the
remark of the witness from whom he
bought the pistol that he looked hun
cry on the day he bought the wea-
pom he said, Il was well fed; it was
mental anxiety that made me look
haggard." He stated that he learned
that some person was lurking outside
to take his life, and he stated that a
body guard had been provided to take
care of him.
General Swain, who heard Presi-
dent Garfield's last words, was wit
ness. The Presidents last words
were, ''Oh, Swaim!' DR. Bliss was
witness. He attended the President
during the time that he lay prostra-
ted by the shooting till he died. He
had a portion of human skeleton,
and showed the course of the bullet
n