Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-06
his sufferings, although would not regret his

0eHtn.
He declared that he had no confederates. He
said he had meditated the act a long time. He
gave the names OF all persons in Washington
whom he knew, told who had given him money
and all the circumstances Of his buying the pistol
lie had engaged carriage to drive him rapidly
to the congressional cemetery. The probable
motive Of this movement was to get to the Jail,
which is near the cemetery, as soon az possible on
account OF his expectation of being roughly dealt
with by the populace. II IL generally believed
that the assassin has been taken from jail and
placed on board the ironclad Passaic, anchored In
the stream, from the fact that the troops guard
ing the jail have been relieved and twenty ma
rines ordered on board the ironclad A Boston
Herald reporter claims to have been equal to
the emergency Of interviewing Guteau in spite
OF the vigilance Of the officials. In short talk
between the bars Guiteau said had been con-
templating the thing for six weeks, and what
did was forced TO do by an inspiration from
God. did 1t for political purposes, and through
patriotic motives. went to the depot to do the
deed two weeks ago. when the president went to
Long Branch, but he came In hand-in-hand with
Mrs. Garfield, who looked 40 delicate that hadn't
the heart to do 1t. | conceived the deed myself,
and executed 1t myself alone ain responsible
for it. No soul on earth knew Of 1t but myself
considered 1t a political necessity to retire Gar
field, and thus save the republican party. had
no murder In my heart, for had nothing against
the president personally. What did was for the
benefit Of the republican party and the public
have no fear but that will be liberated. | am
a stawart OF the stalwarts. know vice-Pres
dent Arthur aud General Grant very well'
Replying to a question as to his insanity, he
said: I" had two cousins in the insane asylum
once. My only other relatives living are sister
In Chicago and brother in Boston. / had no
thought that my act would make martyr OF me"
lie was asked how he had rested, and re-
piled: This is the first rest | have had in six
weeks This thing has been on my mind and I
could not sleep. Now that 1t is over my only
wish is that he may not recover and make my
act fruitiess My mind would be perfectly at rest
II he dies, and do not fear any consequences"
Guiteau expressed over and over his satisfac-
ton with his act and his belief that he would be
sustained by the stalwart republicans in what he
had done. He was in feverish anxiety to see the
newspapers, believing that they would commend
the shooting of the president. He said OF course
he did not expect that such paper as the New
York Tribune would sustain him, but he did think
the New York Herald would be on his side, and
that all the papers that were not supporters Of
Garfield would commend him. Guiteau seemed
to be very much like the Wareham (Massachu-
setts) chid-killer in his manner. lie is perfectly
satifed that he has done right, and that he is en-
GUTEAU's PAST LIFE.
Guiteau was born in Freeport, Illinois, Septem-
Der s, 1871. His father, Luther w. Guiteau, was
until his death cashier of the Second National
Bank Of Freeport. The son received good COM
mon school education; went to the Michigan
University, Ann Arbor which he left and joined
the Oneida community, remaining In it five or six
years; deserted the community, suffering a SO
we're expose of his life while with them by the
head OF the community He then studied law in
Chicago, got into many difficulties, and soon
turned up in New York and in Ludlow street jail
on charge of misappropriation of funds. Through
the assistance of his brother-in-law, he was re-
leased and resumed the practice of law in Chi.
cago. lie conceived the idea that he had received
a divine revelation concerning the second coming
Of Christ and commenced writing book entitled
"Truth," on the subject. He went to Boston
when he completed his book which was an utter
failure. lie existed by swindling parties who be-
frended him and loaned him money, and by the
charity of clearinghouse keepers. He has been
regarded by his family as being Enthusiastically
for several years and has been discarded by them
His profigacy drew from his father an almost
prophetic letter in 1873 This parent character
lied him as outrageousy wicked, possessed
with the devil " and "willing to do any wicked
thing he should take fancy to-" lie said he
believed him capable OF almost any folly
stupidity, or rascaity. The only possible ex
cuse can make for him, is that he is insane, -
an opinion which he reiterated emphatically, say.
ing, " His insanity is of such character that he
is as likely to become sly. cunning desperate as
anything" and feeling constrained to leave him
entirely in the hands of his Maker with a very
faint hope that he eau be changed in this world
or the next" Guiteau appeared In Washington
in the spring, and has haunted the departm ents
necessarily. ne appiieu Tor an appointment az
minister to Austria, then for consulship in France
lie was SO constant in his attendance upon the
departments and so persistent in his importun
ties for consulship that he became known
among the officials as "our consul" In Chicago
he became an usher at the Moody and Sankey
meetings. Then it was he styled himself law
yer, politician and lecturer" He added to hi,
other pursuits that Of life insurance agent, in
which he was fairly successful In making money
No end OF his peculiar dolngs have been tele
graphed from Chicago within the past three Oh
four days.
THE vIoE-PREsIDENT
When the physicians informed the cabinet Sat
urday evening that the president was sinking, in
formation was sent to the president, with thu
request that he should 60 to Washington at once
lie arrived in Washington Sunday morning ant
placed himself at the disposition Of the cabinet
lie called at the executive mansion Sunday even
ing and warmly expressed his sympathy witt
Mrs Garfield and her family. He went to Wash
ington at the instance of Secretary Blaine ant
has been governed in all his actions by the direc
tions of the cabinet. The vice-president conducts
himself with much dignity. He is greatly de
pressed by the deplorable condition of the presi
dent, and shrinks from the responsibilities Of
position he may be called upon to fill, as ON
| never expected or desired by him.
PRESIDENT GARFIELD's MOTHER.
| The news of the shooting of the president wa
broken Sunday forenoon at Scion, Ohio, wher
she is stopping with daughter. Until favor
able turn was anticipated, the news was studi
ously kept from the venerable lady. She bore u
under the intelligence with much fortitude, as tn
various dispatches were read to her, saying
"How could anybody be so cold-hearted as +
want to shoot my baby?" She dictated dis
patch full OF motherly tenderness and encourage
i ment.
| THE LATEST.
| Boston, July 5-5,45 z. N.
TO Vermont Wdtctmdn The latest telegram
from Washington represent that the president
condition is certainly continuing very favorable
The feeling at the White House is buoyant. Tn
surgeons are greatly encouraged.
W. W. HILL, Journal.
WASHINGTON, July $50 p. M.
To Joseph Poland, Montpelier The president
condition is more hopeful to-day. Mind cleal
Has taken nourishment No sickness at ston
ach; no pain in region OF bowels. All around ar
in good spirits. GREEN b. RAUM,
| Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
VERMONT EDITORS AssooIATIoN.-The twelft
annual meeting will be held at Bellows Fall
Tuesday evening, July 18th. The address will
delivered by Editor L. o. Greene Of the Wooc
stock Standard and the poem by Rev. A,
Hough of Ludlow. The association will dine
four o'clock p. NJ, with Mr. and Mrs. A.
Swain. The party will start Wednesday mornin
| NJ va minutas mast nina on the arryl