Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-29
GUITEAB In THE DOCK.
A FRUITLESS EFFORT TO CHECK
HIS IMPUDENCE.
Further Proofs OF His SanIty-A
LeVel-Headed Expert-The Assas-
sin frightened az Being Put on a
Level with FeIOns-ResOIved TO
Continue His Role.

WASHINGTON, December IS In the Gut
teau case DR.. Mcdonald again took
the stand, and was cross-examined by Mr..
scoville. His questions were directed
mainly to the subject of temporary insanity,
and the witness was asked If, in his prac-
tice, he had not met an instance OF tempo
rary insanity. He replied, eyes, sir; know
OF a man who was insane for twenty four
hours
Mr.. scovllle (esgerIy)-"Aud then he got
well ?"
"NO, SIR; he died." Laughter at sco-
ville's expense.
The witness was asked what he meant
yesterday by SAYING, 'I tbiuk he (the pris-
oner) has been playing part in court?" and
replied: 81 believe he has been feignipg
what he believed to be insanity, not really
insanity. l believe he has been attempting
TO give the impression in court that he is
insane, and with that idea has been acting
part"
DIR. Randolph Barksdale, Superintendent
Of the Central Lunatic Asylum, near Rich
mond, visited the prisoner at the jail on the
Both of November, when Drs. Loring and
Hamilton examined him. He had also
closely observed him in court, and from his
personal examination and observation was
OF the opinion that he was sane. The wit
ness also testified that he believed Guiteau
had been feigniDg in court. Witness be-
lieved, taking as true the facts set forth in
two hypothetical questions of the prOsecu-
tion, that the prisoner was sane on the ID
OF July, when he shot President Garfield
Upon cross examination, the witness
stated that he did not believe in moral IL
sanity, though 1t was quite probable that
insane people might plan and conceal their
plans. In reply to the question, "Have
| you not stated to Mr.. Hayden in this court
room since this trial began that you be-
lieved Guiteau to be insane?" witness an
| sWeTed, "NO, sir; | never made such a
statement to any person, here or any
where" Afterwards, by consent of couu-
| sci on both sides, the question and answer
were stricken from the official repor5.
DR.. John ii. Calender, of Nashville,
| Tenn, Superintendent OF the Tennessee
| State Asylum for the Insane, had given spe-
cial attention to the study of insanity for
/ the past twelve years. Had seen about
| 1000 cases during his connection with the
! Tennessee Asylum. Witness visited the
! prisoner In jail and examined his head and
| face. Found the head somewhat asYm-
metrical, but the lack Of symmetry was not
more than is frequently found in sane peo-
/ pie. Witness had also closely observed the
prisoner In court aud believed him TO be
/ perfectly sane.
DR.. Calender did not believe IN moral in
/ sanity nor hereditary insanity, save only 10
| the idea of greater susceptibility to the de-
4 velopment of insanity in children of insane
| parents. In his judgment no such form of
insanity "mOrsl inssnity'' existed, and
his idea of the significance of the term
"moral monstrosity" is person OF average
/ intellect, who gives free vent to his evil pas
siOus and commits heinOus crimes.
| A hypothetical case was stated, describing
| Guiteau's apparently rational conduct for
weeks previous to his crime. aud the wit
/ ness was asked II he thought a person
/ labOrlng under an insane delusion that he
was inspired would conceal his purpose as
/ the prisoner had done. He replied that
/ such person really insane would, even if
| he did not talk about it, disclose his pur-
pose by his changed manner and conversa-
/ tiOn.
Guitesu prefaced the reading of the hypo-
thetical case by the statement that the
whole question was full of falsehOods and
| added that he made this statement before
/ hand to avoid interrupting as the reading
/ went on.
After the recess the prosecuting counsel
renewed his motion that Guiteau be placed
IN the prisoners dock, aud after some dis
cussion be was so placed.
During the discussion Guiteau, trembling
| with anger or apprehension, shouted that
| The District Attorney wished to have him
/ shot in exposing him in the dock and with
drawing the force of special policemen who
have so long formed his body guard about
the court.
Mr. Scoville, with much feeling, pro-
| tested against the proposed action, which
| he said could not but be understood as an
| invitstion to all who heard of it to shoot the
| prisoner if so Inclined.
Judge Cox gave his opinion that no GER
| tain measure to secure the prisoners silence
| could have been taken that would not have
abridged his constitutional rights, and i5
| had been deemed, and the Judge
thought rightly, that the prisoners be-
| hSviOur and utterances would prove the
best means of determining his mental con-
| ditiop.
Guiieau, In his most insinuating manner,
! promised to keep quiet, il allowed to re-
main near bis counsel.
| Judge Cox refused, when Guiteau shouted,
"Then l give your Honor orders that the
court room be cleared"
After Guiteau was placed in the dock the
| plaster cast of his head was shown to Dr..
| Calender.
When it was exhibited Guiteau exclaimed
that it looked like Humpty Dumpty.
| Witness thought the head showed no
| striking paculiarities of shape, but he
| attached little importance to that matter.
! He had known plenty of~people of sound
| mind with ill-shaped heads, and had plenty
! of lunstics in his charge with symmetrical
hesds. Witness did not believe Guiteau
bad been feigning insanity in court, but
| that he had exaggerated bis natural charac-
teristics OF egotis m (vanity) in silence and
| audacitY.
Guiteau continued to interrupt occasion
ally and when the adjournment was ar
| nOunced he called out: so, I'll get in my
work over here. Don't you worry about
/ that"