The Portland daily press., 1881-11-21
SHOT AT.
Unsuccessful Attempt to Kill
Guiteau.
FIRED AT WHILE DRIVING
TO THE PRISON.
The Wretch More Frightened
than Hurt.
A HALF wITTED MAN ARRESTED
ON SUSPICION.
His Identity in Great Doubt.

His Identity in Great Doubt.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.--When the van in
which Guteau was riding from the court room
back to the Jail, had reached the vicinity of the
capitol, man riding on horseback came up
an6 fred two shots and then rode rapidly away
in the direction of the navy yard.
A young man who witnessed the shot saws
the person who did the shooting was middle
aged man, we'll dressed and mounted on a re-
markable fine white horse. Immediately after
the Tshots were fred the horse was started
on dead run and although guard stood on
the step of the van with pistol in hand trying
to cover the man who did the shooting, he
made his escape without difficulty. AS he
passed by the young man mertoned he re-
Marked 81 have shot Guiteau."
The driver of the prisonivan gives the follow
ing particulars of the attempt TO shoot Guitea
The facts are substantially these:
Upon the adjournment of the court the van
started as usual for the jail, having one police
man as guard who sat on the seat with the
driver. Before reaching the capitol the guard
noticed young man on horseback riding lei
surely behind the van. Near the corner of
East Capitoliand First street the horseman rode
directly up to the rear OF the van ard hastily
peered through the small grating. Guiteau
was alone in The van and seated on the right
hand side, the seats running lengthwise of the
van. After evidently satisfying himself of the
location of the prisoner, the horseman wheel
ed suddenly to the left of the van and fred di-
rectly through it. He then rushed to the front
OF the van and pointed his pistol at the driver
with the evident intention of intimidating him
or stopping the van.
The driver was somewhat excited and in re-
spouse to the inquiry OF reporter, said per-
haps he intended to stop the van by shooting
one of the horses. Seeing an armed policemen
by the side of the driver he- exclaimed, "I've
shot the--of "a" and putting spurs to his
horse dashed down East Capitol street in the
direction of the Congressional cemetdry. The
policeman fred one shot at the fast disappear
lug horseman, and the driver of the van whip
ped his hor es into gallop ard kept in sight
of him for several blocks. The man was how
ever mounted on blooded horse and readily
escaped out into.the country. He was describ-
ed as smooth faced man about twenty-five
years of age, and dashing horseman. He had
on dark brown suit. The van then proceed
ed TO the Jail and Guiteau was taken out in a
state of great excitement He exclaimed, 81
haveEbeen shot: notify Major Brock at once;
tell him to arrest the scoundrel and have him
dealt with as he deserves"
On examination it was found that the ball
had just grazed Guiteau's left wrist, inflicting
mere scratch. The ball struck the opposite
side of the van and fell upon the floor, where
ii was found on Preaching the Jail. The an
nouncsment vf the attempt upon Guiteau
and all sorts of rumors were at once in circu-
lation.
The would be killer was seen about the
court house this afternoon ana attempted to
gain admission during the day but failed. He
was also seen to mount his horse near the court
house soon after the van left and ride lesurey
after it. 1t was rumored he hailed from Him
OILS, but there seems to be no foundation for the
report. 1t was whispered in the crowd with
out the court house just previous to the ad-
journment that to-day would be the last day
of the trial. A remark was also heard in the
crowd that it any one wanted to see Guiteau
they had better do so to-day. This would lead
to the belief that more than one person was
aware that the attempt would be made.
Arrest of the Supposed Assassin
The attempt made TO shoot the assassin Gui-
teau this afternoon created intense excitement
throughout the city. The shooting was SO
quickly done that those with the van scarcely
realized it before the would be avenger had
eluded pursuit. The shooting brought togeth-
er quite large concourse of people who were
considerably excited, and who followed the
van out to the jail to learn the extent of the
prisoners INJURIES The vehicle was hastily
drawn up to the door and Guiteau was hurried
ly helped out and conveyed to the room of the
warden where it was found the ball had only
caused the slightest possible abrasion of the
skin. Guiteau was terribly frightened and
scanned each new arrival as if fearing another
attempt upon his life. On reaching his cell he
D6gg6Q Inc warden not 10 allow any stranger
to see him during the night.
Description given of the man who did the
shooting was so meagre that the police had
very little to work upon. An alarm however
was sent out and the mounted police swere in
Struced to scour the country and bring in all
suspicious characters. The officer who patrols
near the Soldiers Home finally saw man an
swering to the description sent out and cried
out to him to halt. He got blast of profanity
in reply, and the rode off as fast as posi-
hIa fha fol in hot
The chase was continued along the district line
aud several shots were fred, the man finally
disappearing in the woods. The officer then
lay in wait for his man and he soon reappear-
ed. AS he drove into the yard OF a farm house
in which Mr.. Lord resides on Sargent road
he was overtaken. Here the assa1lant (Wm.
Jones by name) was arrested and brought back
to this city. He has been very reticent and
the officers will not communicate anything in
regard TO their prisoner. Ii is reported how
ever he is another member of the great family
of cranks aud that he does not seem to real
ize he has done anything which is liable to in
volve him nserious difficulty. Additional pre-
caution will be taken hereafter to guard Gui-
teau from assault.
Guiteau Believes the Lord is on his Side.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-There have boon
hundreds of visitors at the district Jail to-day.
This morning religious services were held in
the rotounda by representatives of the val ious
city churches. Guiteau, of course, has been the
attraction, and throughout the entire day there |
has been crowd of anxious spectators around |
the gate opening into the corridor in which |
Guiteau's cell is situated. Occasionally party |
would obtain permission to pass through the |
corridor and view the prisoners in their cells, !
including Guiteau. The guards in charge of |
such parties would engage. Guiteau in CONVEX |
sation, saying something in reference to the |
shot fred at him yesterday. His invariable re- |
ply to all such illusions was, ''Oh yes, / am |
hard to hit. People will learn after while |
that the Lord is with me, and will not permit |
me to be killed" He insists he must have a |
strong guard of policemen tomorrow to assist |
the Lord in keeping him from danger. This |
afternoon crowd at the Jail became SO great |
that Guteau was notified by the warden that |
there large number of persons in the rotunda |
who desired to see him and that he had better |
step ont into the corridor. The prisoner offered |
no objection to this proposition, but immed |
ately put on his coat and hat and made his APP |
pearance in full view of every one present. |
Upon returning he saluted the audience in mil |
itary style, smiling in seeming Indifferent |
manner as he did So. The guards says he |
passed quiet night and has talked but little |
He spends most of his time reading and writ
ing. The guards also say that while he appears |
perfectly calm and composed to-day he exhibits
great apprehension about tomorrow, and does
not appear to be quite satisfied that he will es-
cape violence.
There are various rumors in circulation in
the eastern part of the city regarding attempts |
which will be made to shoot the prisoner.
Many persons believe concerted action with
that result in view has been taken since the
trial commenced. Talk of this character had |
the effect of inducing the curious to visit the |
Jail during the day. At o'clock this evening |
there were but few visitors in the bcilding.
The military guards are still on duty. No ap-
prehension is felt by the officers of the Jail that
any further attempt will be made to take the
life of the prisoner.
The Identity of the Man Arrested Very