Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-09-16
Guiteau.
HE PRAYS TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS FOR
HIS GREAT CRIME.

HE PRAYS TO GOD FOR FORGIVENESS FOR
HIS GREAT CRIME.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12.-No demand
has been made upon the military authori-
ties for Sergeant Mason, the soldier who
attempted last night to shoot Gulteau, and
who is still confined at the arsenal. Dis
trict-Attorney Corkhill stated this after
noon that he had received no official
knowledge Of the affair, and did not in
tend to take any action until such infor-
nation was given him. On tue other hand
the War Department officials say that they
have nothing whatever to do with the
matter. ana that if Colonel Corkhill makes
a reQuisition for the man he can get him
without opposition from the department.
The attempted shooting has of course been
talked OF IN the city to-day, and naturally
sympathy is on the side of the soldier At
the White House some of the employees
regretted that Mason had made failure,
but the rest were more guarded in their
expressions. One army officer said: Il
hope they will do nothing with the man.
1t was bold step, but bis motives were
guod. If they do anything they should
promote him." This afternoon Guiteau
was placed in new cell, the location of
which IS profound secret. At the time
he was fired at. he was lying down, and
the ball passed right over his shoulder. A
picture which the ball struck in the pock-
ct Of his coat hanging on the wall, was a
photograph of himself The left breast
of the picture was completely torn OUT
''There was good aim at the heart of
the picture" said Warden Crocker to
Guiteau. 'tYes'' was this reply, 'sbAt /
would rather have it there than in e."-
Guiteau was more than satisfied when he
was changed to another cell to-day. He
had passed the night IN terror. He did
not occupy his bed the whole night, but
lay in an outstretched position on the
floor, and at times was very fllghty. he
frequently cried out for the Lord to have
mercy upon him. At one time he was
heard calling on God to save him. AS one
of the guards was passing his cell about
daylight this morning he heard him say
''Oh, God! why did l shoot the poor
President? Be merciful to me a poor,
miserable assassin. The assassin of the
President of a great country. l could not
help it, could not help it. The devil
seized me and was compelled to fire the
fatal shot. Oh Lord, if l was only out of
my misery. Take me now, oh Lord! take
me now''
During this prayer he wept bitterly
ThequestiOn has now been raised here
whether Guiteau can be tried for murder
should the President die at Elberon. In g
legal aspect the case presented would be
simply that of a person who had received
a mortal wound in the District of Colum-
bia, from the effects of which his death
had taken place elsewhere, and under these
circumstances the courts Of the District
would not have the jurisdiction of the Of
fence as homicide, but would be COZ fined
to the consideration of the assault merely.
This position, which is held by strong le-
gal authority and by the common law of
the Dist let of Columbia, seems to pre-
clude the conviction of Guiteau for MUIR
der, now that the President has been re-
moved to Long Branch.
Sergeant Mason has secured the services
Of a lawyer to defend him, and who will
bring him before civil court if District
Attorney Corkhill will not. He can do
this by swearing out warrant before the
police court against Mason. and then hav-
ing the case sent to the Grand jury.