Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-23
Scoville Continues His Re.
marks.
Argues the Insanity of the Pris-
Oner.
0uiteaa Becomes Excited and Calls
Scoville Liar.
The Van Better Guarded.

uObsG way ,iA
mounted policemen in addition TO the two
officers who rode upon the van. The trip
Was made without incident. ard after reaching
the prisoners room Guiteau partook of a
hearty breakfast, and expressed himself fully
satisfied with the police arrangements made
TO ensure his safety. He thought some pre-
cautions should have been observed at the
outset.
The court room vas crowded long before
the hour for the assembling Of the court.
Scoyille was early in his seat. John Guiteau
was also there soon after nine. and obtained
subrenas for six additional witnesses. None
Of the gentlemen publicly invited by Guiteau
to assist in his defence, have as vet responded
in person. II is understood. however. that
Scoville expects to secure the services of Mr..
Trude of Chicago later in the week.
Several medical experts, who have been
summoned by the defence, are IN attendance,
among them DIR. Rice Of Wisconsin, who has
long known the prisoner, and who, it is said,
advised his commitment to an insane hospital
as early az four years ago, on the ground of
emotional insanity.
Guiteau was brought into the court room
shortly after ten o, clock, and at once busted
himself with his papers and mail. His per-
sOnal appearance has undergone marked
change since the first days Of the trial, and
this forenoon he had devoted unusual care to
to hi. toilet. He still wore the same coat
with the torn sleeve, but his linen was spot
less, and his beard, which heretofore appear
ed ..scragyy" seemed TO have been carefully
brushed.
The evil, frightened look Of his eyes has
disappeared, as also has his habit of looking
up and casting covert glances about him
without raising his head. At ten minutes
IN,
the jury. He called their attention to the
plea set up by the defence Of insanity. and
discussed at great length the growth and
changes of public opinion upon the subject
Of insanity. and its treatment by the courts
when set up as defence in criminal cases; he
cited numerous cases and the rulings in
several noted ones where insanity was set up.
He claimed that the plea of insanity having
been set up by the defence, the burden of
proof rests with the prosecution.
During the progress of Scoville's argu-
ment, Guiteau leaned back in his chair,
stroked his beard and apparently followed
him closely. Occasionally he would make
some notes and engage in a brief whispered
colloquy with his brother. At one point,
Scoville. in detailing for more enlightened
treatment Of the insane than now in vogue
at the asylum, said. I'm other words those
in charge of asylums act with little more
reason than do the inmates" This sally
seemed TO amuse Guiteau immensely, and a
broad smile broke over his features which re-
appeared two or three times. as if his mind
required to it.
Scoville alluded to the prejudice which I'M
doubtedly existed against the plea of insani-
ity generally. and especially in the case of
the prisoner. He said that the new spapers
had intimated that Guiteau only forging
insanity, and such seemed to be the general
theory of the public. Guiteau turned uneas-
lily in his chair and with quick, nervous ar
ticulation said: al never forge. | act myself,
sane or insane"
Without noticing the interruption, Scoville
alluded to the arrest of a man at the time of
President Hayes Inauguration, who was sent
to the insane asylum. This man, he said,
had as carefully made his arrangements to
kill Hayes as did Guiteau to kill President
Garfield. and but for his arrest might have
succeeded.
There was just as much ground to indicate
Guiteau's insanity. "Why," said Scoville,
Even President Garfield said, Why did
this man do it? He must be insane Blaine
must have believed Guiteau insane
Col. Corkhill arose and with much empha-
sis said: "If YOU will allow me. Mr.. SEQ
Vile. the President never said he thou xht
Guiteau was insane. He thought he was
sane all the time. Blaine never thought him
insane. He has said. under oath. that he be-
lieves Guteau to be sane"
Scoville explained that he spoke from in
formation derived from the newspapers. and
would not take issue on the statement. He
then took up the history of the Guiteau fam
ily, who were Of HCguenot extraction, and
who had, he said, retained to the present day.
A. marked cba m tho afr yIx I'D
herence to the religious convictions, which
caused the expstriation of Huguenots. He
asserted that INSANITY was hereditary in the
family, and had to some extent affected Gui-
teau's father. He dwelt at great length upon
Guiteau's history and exploits from childhood
to the day on which he shot the President
Guiteau appeared generally satisfied with
Scoville's account Of his life and experience
Frequently an amusing smile indicated his
apprehension of the humorous illusions, no.
tably when the whippings he received as a
boy were described having been given
with that vigor which can be shown by men
of strong religious convictions" His admis-
sion to the bar and the circumstance attend
ing his proposed examination which really
consisted of three questions, two of which he
answered, amused Guiteau immensely.
As ScOville related them to the jury, he
frequently shrugged his shoulders and ap-
peared to be perfectly satisfied until Scoville
plainly intimated that lack of capacity on
Guiteau's part had reduced his law practice
to the collection of bad debts; when Guiteau
winched and broke out 81 brought great
many suits and generally gave them all they
wanted on the other side.
After moment of explanation to the prs-
oner, Scoville was about to proceed, when
Guiteau apparently appeased, waved his hand
to Scoville and said: $50 on, Scoville, that's
an interesting story and it is correct in
detail"
Continuing. Scoville said in effect that
Guiteau made good living. and supported
his family at this time and paid his bills.
Guiteau broke in with. Il had first class
references, a. well as my personal appear
ance and so l got the business. Besides.
had no bad habit Of any kind"
To illustrate Guiteau's freaks, and as an
indication OF his insanity. Scoville related
his rambling attempt to make speech upon
a certain occasion when he had been assigned
BY the Court As counsel for a prisoner on
trial.
Guiteau again interrupted in an excited
manner, and shouted: That's absolutely
false. I never tried a case with Charles
Reed in my life. don't want to interfere
With your theory, but your facts are false.
want the jury to understand my peculiarities !;