Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1881-12-23
TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN.
Guiteau Claims That High Toned
Ladies Want His Autograph
lie Insults Witnesses.

WASHINGTON. December 22.-Guitehu
cam into court this morning apparently
under some strong excitement. Colonel
Charles Reed took q seat by his side and
whispered something to him. Guiteau,
striking the table violently. began TO
eIpostulate, saying: ~ won't do any.
thing Of the kind" At this point SEQ.
vile whispered some s%xpostulation. when
Guiteau said angrily to him: II won't
have you compromising my case by your
foolish questions. You must get of my
case IL you can't stop compromising it,
A whispered consultation between the
three mentioned seemed to result in
pacifyins the prisoner, who looked up
with q smile and said: ~ was going to
make Q speech. but L have changed my
mind. and I guess I won't do It," Then
he busted himself by opening his mail.
remarking: ''This Is the FIRST time I
have opened my mail myself for some
time"
DR.. Theodore Diamond, Of Auburn,
N. Y, who had been summoned by tho
defense and retained by the prosecution,
was called to the stand. Witness be-
lieyed, judging by the evidence hs had
listened to, including that OF the pris.
oner himself, and from the appearance
and conduct Of the prisoner. that be Is q
sane man. The Hypothetical questions
put to Dr.. Worcester yesterday were
then read to the witness, and he replied:
'I should say he was sane"
Scoville asked how old Q physician
ought to be before he could distinguish
between o sane and insane man.
The doctor said be himself was not yet
old enough to SO distinguish.
Guiteau broke in With q compliment
to the witness, and called the attention
Of the audience to the fact that be was
letting Scovills talk today, ~ opened
my mail this morning. (holdiug up
twenty or moro letters), pretty good
mail, too, and only one crank letter In
the whole lot. All are from heightened
people. too. They are beginning TO
think better OF mo on the outside. High.
toned ladies are asking for my auto
graph. They think I'm a big man. but
I don't care o snap whether I'm big or
not" The prisoner busted himself read.
ing his letters and soon broke out again,
saying: "well. I did not notice this
before. Ladies' and gentlemen. I have
Just read o letter from Dr.. Spitzka. He
says hs has received 200 letters oongrat-
ulating him on his testimony and only
two threatening ones. A pretty good
showing, I think, when he came here
for nothing, and didn't get q cent, while
these fellows are handsomely paid BY
the government. Here's another from
Mr.. Beatty"
Judge Cox-wsll, that will do. pris.
oner. We have not. time to listen to the
reading Of your correspondence.
Guiteau-Ail right, sir.
The witness was ssked II he thought
II would be any indication OF insanity
for . man OF mature years, who earnest.
ly believed he was inspired to kill the
President OF the United States. and who
honestly believed that when his motives
were known to the people they would
not only excuse but applaud his act. ard
replied: "If he honestly believed his
will vas dominated by Q conviction. Il
would be an indication OF insanity"
Scovills-n 1t 10 not importunats to
do so at this day and generation. I will
ask you 10 you have ever devoted any
attention to the subject or belief In In.
spiration 7
Apswsr-well, NOT specially.
Guitsau-Ths will Of God could 10.
spirs . man 1000 years ago, and why
could he not do 90 now Il there any.
thing different in human nature2
Scovills-I have no objection 10 you
answering. Doctor"
The question wal read again to the
witness, and be replied: 'If the Lord
did inspire anybody 1000 yssrs ago. 10
can now, II He chooses"
Guitssu-Tha,'s my idea. 10 moi
only can, but he did In this case.
Thscross.sxamination proceeded With.
out incident and without any Interrupt
ton on the part Of Guitssu. oucs, !