Omaha daily bee., 1881-08-29
THE ASSASSIN.
Preparations Made TO Resist
Armed Lynohers by
the Military.
National Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, ID. u, August 3D.
District Attorney Cockhill posi-
lively denies the statement that he is
aware of the existence of a secret
armed organization in the city which
has for its object the lynching of
Guiteau. Guiteau enquiries of the
guards for the latest news from the
president and receives no
He is still engaged in writing some
of his ofiusions. They are directed to
outside parties in reference to procur-
ing bail, while others purport to give
m account of the alleged vision that
inspired him to shoot the president.
The recent episode of Guiteau with
the Jail guard, McGill, made him Bit
ter toward the latter, and noticing
HIM in the corridor a few nights since
he demanded that he be locked up.
He then went so far as to address a
letter to q person outside, requesting
him to procure warrants of informa-
ton against McGill. This latter, of
course, has not been done.
As the condition of the president
grows hourly worse, the attention of
people is again attracted to Guiteau.
Threats of lynching are again heard
upon the streets. To prevent the car
rying out of these threats, the author
tiles and military have taken the ut
most precautions toguard against such
u thing.
Three picket posts have been estab-
lished one on the road to the Jail
from the congressional cemetery, one
on the brow of the hill overlooking
the jail, and one at the Jail door
posted within gun-shot of each other;
and should any body of men be seen
approaching the force at the Jail could
be easily and safely notified.
In addition to this force an extra
detail of policemen is stationed at the
workhouse a few hundred yards dis
tant, and a series of signals have been
arranged, il their presence Mt tho
Jail is required. Theguards at the Jail
are all provided with sixteen shooting
rifles OF the latest pattern. That the
military authorities think they will be
prepared for whatever emergency may
present itself, is demonstrated by the
fact that to-day Gen. Sherman, Adjt
Gen. Mitchell, Gen. Ayres, and several
to.hef military men visited the jail
with a view OF making observations.
They selected sites for the placing of
troops, should it be necessary to re-
pei an attack. The result of the visit
was the posting of pickets at the sew
eral points named. The pickets are
changed every two hours and men re-
loved from duty at the Jail every
twenty.four hoursand a new set order
cd. There are no tieldpieces atthe Jail.
The men from the batteries are doing
infantry duty. At the Jail all is quiet
and but two guards on duty. Ring.
ing at the door brought out the guard,
who recognized the reporter and un,
locked the ponderous door, which
swung on heavy iron hinges. This
was as far Ms the reporter vas allowed
to enter, however. General Crockel
was found and asked what arrange,
ments, if any, had been made to pro,
tect the Jail i'll case of an attack from
the rowdies who were said to be com
ing here from Baltimore, Philadelphia
and New York.
"You may say that every prec au
ton has been made to protect it. An,
attack to take him from the authors
ties will result in disaster to the at,
lacking party"
"You would fire ON them 7"
"We should feel impelled to protec
the dignity of the law"
"The Jail would be reasonably SAT,
from an attack, would it not be2"
st would. A few men IN the jail
could successfully resist 10000 mel
from without. The walls are tire,
feet thick, and even should they re
sort to battering the Jail it woulc
take some time to rae our citadel.
do not anticipate any trouble, bu
have prepared for it,"
Guiteau is rs calm and quiet us h,
has been for some time past. He il
confined all to himself. There ar,
seventeen cells, all of which excep
the INT occupied by him, are vacant
1t is believed he is in the south wing