Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-23
TWICE TOLD TALES.
GUITEAU'S LIFE AND WAYS
SeOVille's Argument Continued
More of the Prisoners BY Play
Insanity His Sole RelIanee-An
Afflicted FamilV-JOnes Identified
and TO he Indicted.

W WAShANdIOh, november Sz.-Juite2u
was brought to the court house a bout nine
O'Clock. The van was guarded by six
mounted policemen in addition to the police
OF the van. His personal appearance has
undergone a great change since the first
days Of the trial, and this morning he evi-
deu'ly devoted unusual care to his toilet. He
still wore coat with torn sleeve; but his
linen was spotless and his beard,
which heretofore appeared ''sraggy," seem
ed to have been carefully brushed. The
wild, frightened Look OF the eyes has iisap-
peared, as has also his habit OF looking up
and casting covert glances about him with
out raising his head. He looked about the
room and bowed pleasantly to some one at
distance from him.
AT 10 minutes after 10 Mr.. Scovflle re-
sumed his argument. He called attention
to the plea set up by the defense, insanity,
and discussed at great length the growth
aud changes OF public opinion upon the
subject OF insanity, and its treatment
by courts when set up as a defense
In criminal cases. He cited numerous
cases, and rulings in several noted trials
where insanity was set up. He claims that
the plea Of insanity having been set up by
the defense, the burden Of proof rests with
the prosecution.
Mr.. Scoville continued his argument I'D to
the recess. He was sometimes interrupted
by Guiieau, who inteIjected observations
Characteristic Of the man, and which did not
add materially to the argument his counsel
was making.
During the progress of Mr.. Scoville's
argument Guiteau leaned back in his chair,
stroked his beard aud followed him closely.
Occasionally he would make some notes
aud hold brief whispered colloquy with
bis brother. Mr. Scovllle, resuming, called
the iury's attention to the prisoners con-
duct since the trial began, asking them to
weigh that point carefully. He review
,a the various phases of insanity, aud
said he would endeavor to con-
vince them that on the whole the question
was whe'h her the act was the result Of an in
sane mind The New Hampshire doctrine held
hat there were cases where insanity was
mpulsive, causing its victim to act on the
spur of the moment, and In this category
hs would place the defendant. He cited
the case of a colored woman named
Nichols in this District, condemned
to be hung for murder, who died
pending a new trial. The post mortem
proved complete insanity. Mr.. ScovilIe
then went into the treatment now adopted
IN asYlums, which, he said, was often cAlcu-
lated to CO. firm rather than cure ineipieut
Insanity. There we're so many types of IL
sanity that he might say no two were alike.
He would produce a witness (Dr. Sweiizarl
Who would testify to the defendants insani-
" and say he never saw case exactly like
it before. Guitesu's insanity lay IN his desire
70 bee me politician or great public off
Ger. 1t was as unreasonable to punish a
man for deficiency in mental operations as
tt WAS to punish him because his hand was
not properly constructed, One OF the most
certain tests OF insanity was the want of ade-
quate motive for action or lack OF reasoning
power In this connection he cited the
case of 'Billy the Kid" the notorious
Texan outlaw, who had a most depraved
taste for crime, because he had no reason
to control his actions. The jury should de-
termine whether the defendants insanity
was feigned or not, and II 1t was, no pun
ishment was roo great for him; but it was
almost impossible to deceive an expert.
Guitesu with a flourish Of his hands)-I
never feign. l always act my part out.
Laughter
Mr. Scoville continuing said that Presi-
dent Garfield and Secretary Blaine had
spoken of Guiteau as insane
The District Attorney-Allow me to cor
rect you. No such opinions were expressed.
"a lne contrary, DOtu LDOuSub 0lm sane.
Indeed, Mr.. Blaine has said so under oath.
Mr. Scovile-I only speak from newspa-
per reports aud by way Of illustration.
After pointing out the traits exhibited by
Guitesu. tending to show insanity, Mr. SEQ
vile said that the defense would confine
itself to proving the condition of the prison
er's mind prior to and up to July
2i last. It would also be shown
that his mind had undergone
- =. = - -. 49,. n .LS
viewed the history of the Guiteau family,
making the point that a most intense re-
lgiOus zeal was handed down from one
generation TO another, and also that various
members of the family were victims of in
sanisy Guifeau's aunt, Mrs Julia MAYNARD,
died Insane. Her daughter, Abbie, is
now beiag treated for insanity. His aunt,
Mrs Mary Parker, and her son (Guireaus) j
died insane His uncle Abraham died from
weak intellect, not insane, but Inherited
weakness Two other uncles. Francis and
Luke, had been insane, Luke's arrangement
D ing Of q religious iype.
Turning to Guiteau's immediate family,
he said his mother at the time of his birth
wasi,, very feeble health, and her brain was
So Affected fbatit was necessary to shave
herhea1. This hair would be produced TO
the Jury. In early childhood he was struck
on tie head with stone by playmate. He
grew up bright, polite boy, hut his mother
heing dead, he dld not receive the attention
he should. His only peculiarity was an i'm
pediment In his speech, For instance he
would persistently say "Ped along, :" instead
of "Get along, Old Dan Tucker" although
harshIy corrected He then reviewed the
prisoners connection with the Oneida c m
mumfy He (Scoville) had finally sent bin
money to leave the community, when
n became distasteful TO him.
He ad finally drifted into the study of law,
ana was admitted in a loose fashion in
Chicago One of the committee Of admis-
sion was Charles Reed, afterwards United
States Attorney. 0ply three questions were
ket Gui eau by Reed, two OF which he
anssered. missing the other.
MI Dsvidge-Did you say Reed admit
ted lim2
G1t4au-No. General Reynolds, who
sits there behind you, moved my admission.
Mr. Scoville, continuing, said Guiteau's
legal ability was limited He branched out
as 81 collector, and when he had a bill
sgsirst a man gave him no rest until It was
paid. He spoke disparaeinglY Of his pecu-
liar methods of suing debtors, when Gut
teau angriiy shouted:
"My suits were a'wsvs credftabiv con-
Quoted never bad the reputation Of being
foolu daughter.
Afer a time Guiteau returned to New
York, where his polished address and ge-
nal, manly manners gave him ready aomis-
sion into business circles.
Guiteau-Yes, but had first-class recon-
mer da'ions.
BE was assigned TO defend larceny case
in Chicago, resumed Mr. Scoville, where the
evidence for the prosecution was over
whelming, and made such q rambling, inco-
berent argument that Mr.. Reed had ever
since entertained the belief that bis mind
WAS not right.
This led to an angry denial from Guiteau,
who disclaimed ever having defended such
case.
Here the court took a recess for half an
hour. After the resssembling, Mr.. Scoville
continued the story of the prisoners life,
showing many cases of weakness and OF
business incapscity. He was frequently In
terrupted by the prisoner, especially when
auy reflections were made on his personal
appearance or his integrity, with indignant
denials Mr.. Scoville related an incident OF
his having raised an axe against Mrs. Sco-
VILE without reason, and of their family
physician (Dr. Rice) having declared on this
occasion that Guiteau was harmlessly in
sane. He referred to Guiteau's expla-
nation of his failure In the lecture
field. which was that "Jesus Christ could
not pay his expenses. He (Guiteau) was
in the same business as the Apostle
Paul. who got his pay at last, aud 50 would
he out of his book" He had an idea that
be had but to ask q lsdY's hand in marriage
to obtain 1t.
A scene here took place between Mr..
Sc0Ville and Guiteau, who accused the
FORMER Of having suppressed his letters to
lady correspondent.
After quiet had been restored Mr.. Scoyille
T-ka aaurN Nrrara