The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-12-08
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.
TWELFTH DAT.

WIFE, cCUSlllc EoeuIueu ucE IcbIiIHOHV. dig
described Guiteau's actions during bis visit tc
her in 1873, and said she was then convinced
he was insane and should be put in ali asylum.
Frequent objections we're raised by counsel for
the prosecution to the character OF question:
Iroionlidcd by Scovillc, and continuous Dis
c,ission cnslcd between counsel upon the ad-
nlissibility OF certain evidence.
q orge d. Burroughs and Fernando Jones,
both oi Chicago, testifsd d to their belief In the
insanity Of the prisoner.
9. :. Joslyn, OF the Oneida Community,
thought Guiteau's marked characteristic was
intense cgotisnl.
The prisoner interrupted tho court long
enough to deliver the following speech
II desire to tell all those crank newspaper
mfn that appear here as my own counsel
That is my answer to all the silly stun they
have been delivering themselves Of for some
days past. Some Of these newspaper men have
gossc crazy. / appear here in part as my own
counsel, as have right to under the law and
the constitution OF America"
John w. Gutean, the prisoners brother. was
next examined. He had not been on good
terms with bis brother for some years, but had
not doubted his sanity until he received some
letters IN October. Since he had come on
Lcrc and had seen his brother IN the
courtroom and ut the Jail he had become satls-
it'd he was insane. On being cross-cxamined
witness admitted that before he had come to
Washington he had always, in talking Of the
case, said he believed his brother was RESPONSE
bic. He believed linn responsible. but not
sane nc-rcsponslble, because, % he thought, ct
some period Of his life tho prisoner had volun-
riy surrendered himself to evil practices rather
than good. Guteau WINGED under these state.
III. n,s evidently fearing his brothers candor was
iniEring the else, and with considerable bitter
ness interrupted: my brother and tave not
been on good terms for fifteen years. He always
sympathized with my father on that Oneida
community business, while Scoville and my sis
ter s,mpa hized With me. The last time Isaw my
brother We had some angry words, 50 he does
not come here to testify for me with the ordi.
nary force . brother usually does come, and
I'm glad to find he has changed his views.
however, in my case. want the public to uil
dcrstand about this Gnitcau continued tc
interrupt, explain and correct witness. Once
Judge Dayidgo attempted to stop him, but he
waved his hand impeiiously, saying: !" You
keep quiet, Judge, il You please" Shortl,
after witness was asked, in connection with
an incident lie had related, il he q,
that timo thought the prisoner insane
Guiteau quickly anticipated his reply by say
ing Why, Of course, he has always thought
4 IMas badly cranked.' Witness said be never
| detected tho slightest traces Of insanity in his
! father.
| The prisoner accompanied by Marshal Hcnr,
and three bailiffs, walked to the stand and
| identified bundle Of letters written by himself
F! 10 VARIOUS members OI TIC IaMlIys
| THIRTEENTH DAT.
Immediately upon the opening Of court
Guiteau was called to the witness stand and
took his place. closely watched and guarded BY
! policemen and conrt officers. He was asked
by Scoyllle to givo some incidents from his
earliest rccoliections of his mother.
/ Gnltoau asked: Am 1 to be put on as q
resnlar witness to-day. or only to identify some
letters? suppose the latter. am not feel
ing al all well to-day. but shau be much better
III week or sO.'
| to-day. and there arc no other witnesses pres
| cnt."
Gniteau-. You should have had yonr wit
| nesses Oh hand. Iobject to going ON the stand
when am rot feeling well, to be subjected to
cross examination BY counsel for the rrosccu-
ton. have got good deal to say. | want t.
60 over the whole business carefully and scien-
tliieally, so to speak, and want to be in good
talking condition"
| seosiile The court will relieve yon il you
feel Ill"
,iaiteau--.W With that understanding will 60
OF.
Gorkhil! I've cannot submit to any such
arral cement as that"
Alter some further discussion Guiteau was
removed from the stand, and Scoyile proceed
Ell to read the letters, which were put in eyi.
dencc the preceding day. They were all writ
ten by Guiteau to his father and other mem
bcrs of his family, and covered . period oi
fifteen or twenty years.
Az the reading Of the letters progressed
Gniteau occasionally commented upon them
or suggested the proper word where Scoyill,
hcsltaled. While one, dated from the Oncils
community, was being read. Gnitean said
"Wel.. YOU can SEQ was badly cranked abou
that tirne.' At another time Scoville hesitate,
and said: .Iiere is word cannot make out.
Civilization is the word." prompted Guitcall
"You can soc now badly mixed mp got in &ha
miserable community. 1t makes me mad ever.
time | think of it. | wish those letters wer,
out Of existence"
scoyille read from one of the letters 81 an
with Jesus Christ and company. and am work
ing for them"
THAT Was my sentiment said Guitea
"and that has been my position ever since"
. In another letter addressed to his father th
prisoner had requested 300 or $500. Gniteal
commented upon this letter. saying Fathe
didn't send the money. He always thought
WAS badly cranked."
, Another letter was read, in which the write
criticized severely the Oneida community, an
!, referred to a circular inclosed, which also q,
nouneed the community and their practices
Guitcau exclaimed .Seyeral Of tho New Yor
dailies took up my circular and devoted e
itogial comments to it. That was a little ht
revenge had for living i'll that miserable soc
, ETY.. I'm glad to know they are broken up no,
Mas siltnous man all the time Twas thcr
! though l want that understood"
; The reading Of the letters was finished an
Gnitcan resumed the witness stand. ScOvi
began to question him relative to his ear
life. Guiteau responded promptly, INTEL
gently and with perfect GOODNESS for son
minutes, apparently enjoying the situation an
: his freedom to talk.
Guiteau gave his views on his fathers reli,
J ious belief, and was asked il he lhis fathe
had any peculiar views on healing disease
, BE replied .Oh, yes; father WAS an awf'
, crank on that subject
Scoyille-" What do you mean by crank p
! Guiteau-"W Well, that's q short way OF pm
ting it, when yen want 10 say man il prett
, | badly craZed."
! The witness then went on to relate his val
! ious failures in delivering his lecture in Chic,
60 and other cities. He frequently laughed
he repeated some Of the humorous incidents G
: his failures. Various times he was put OFF raj
( for not paying his board bills. At other time
{ he grew excited in the assertion that in all b
: did he WAS like Paul, engaged !
. the service of God, and that Go
. was, therefore, Responsible for Lis board blil'
"When yon get down. said Gnitean, '.eyer
. days in the Tombs; have been in jail sewers
{ times. hut never for crime. Never was indlc'
ed before this time in my hfe."
: Guitcau then related his efforts to secure tL
: Chicago lhtT Ocean, which he proposed
! make the great newspaper organ Of the Wes
0 He offered one wealthy man to make him Go,
Q ergor Of Illinois il he would advance tn
! m-nsy.
q while the prisoner was giving his testimol
q he was watched most attentively by al the met
ical experts present, ani With great curiosity /
: every person in the crowded court room. A
times he showed HIS exhaustion By lowering Ii
Q voice, and it was In consequence Of one of tho>
!, signs that, some ten minutes before the lsu
' time for adjournment, the court at the inst arc
9 Of tho District Attorney. adjourned.
! FoURrEESTH DAT.
!, The assassin continued his statement OF Il
causes which led him to commit his gre
crime.
Witness was asked to identify q book handt
him, and said: "Oh, yes; that is my revis,
r work called TRUTH companion book to Il
!, Bible. haven't seen 1t since 1t was taken fro
: mo when WAS arrested" Witness then d
: sired to read q passage. and read page or tp
4 descriptive OF the trials Of the Apostle Paul
NJ cndcavoring to introduce Christianity. .'TL
was Just my ease" said Guiteau. striking l
fist upon the desk. :. / stroye to enlighten Il
world lust as Paul did. / had no money al