The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-07-18
ABOUT TIE ASSASSIN.

How Guiteau Feels over the Prospect of
the Presidents Recovery.
WASHINGTON, July 16-An examination of
the Christian church, where Guiteau states
that he at one time contemplated assassinating
the President shows that the window from
which he had planned to shoot him was i'm
diately at the end of the pew where he sat,
and that the assassin could have approached
within three feet of the Presidents head, and
could have fred without being seen by any
person in the church. A person connected
with the Jail reports Guiteau as having said
yesterday: "If 1 had another opportunity 1
would not try to shoot the President 1
thought had an inspiration to remove him,
but l see l must have been mistaken. / think
it is ordained by God that the President shall
not be killed, and for that reason I would not
try it again if 1 had chance. If it were not
decreed by God that he should not be killed,
how could he be alive now? held the pistol
close to his back, and my hand was as steady
as iron. 1 fred point blank at him, and moth
ing but divine interposition could have saved
him. He will not die, l am convinced, and l
am sorry caused him so much suffering. 1t
is no use for any one to try to kill him now,
for if could not do it with the chance L had
no bullet can do it. 1t is so ordained and we
must abide by the will of heaven" Guiteau
remains closely confined, but is petulant and
madly disappointed that his purpose has been
thwarted by the will of God. He knows that
the President is better, and his attendants say
it annoys him so at times that he becomes al
most savage in his rage, and curses what he
terms his laundering luck in net making sure
of his dastardly work. No ono outside of the
Jail except authorized officials have been al
lowed to see him as yet, though hardly a day
passes without the appearance of people at the
portal of the Jail who ask to be permitted to
see him.
SURGEON wOODWARD'S OPINION.
Eating WE'LL Sleeping Well and on the
High Road to Health.
WASHINGTON, July 16.-"Convalescing, did
you say, doctor?" asked your correspondent
ooh, no, no." answered Surgeon Woodward.
"Only tending toward convalescence."
when will you say cenvalescing?"
"Thats more than any man can saw but
soon hope"
"But he is out of danger, DOCTOR"
WELL" said the cautious surgeon. "he is
rapidly approaching that point. When a man
well he is on the high road to health; but
man as seriously wounded as he was cannot be
expected to be out horseback riding two weeks
after the shooting. He is still sick man; he
is still in pain; he is still weak; but he is doing
as we'll as can be expected under the circum-
Stances"
"Does he grow stronger or weaker day by
day?"
STRONGER now. We have to lift him and
lay him, you know, whenever We want to see
the wound l always bend over him. He
clasps his arms around my neck and I lift him.
Hitherto he has been, of course, entirely pas
sive in our arms. To-day leaned over him as
usual. He put his arms around my neck as
usual. and then, not at all as usual, without
waiting for me-, he lifted himself. Why I
said in surprise, What's the MATTER said the
President. Why, you're strong said in an
astonished manner. Il was once,' he answered
half sadly, And will be soon again. said.
So he will. He is doing finely, but he has had
hord y,11I Ia hac hoo
mouth of the grave.''
"But you won't say that he won't turn back
again? You won't say he is convalescing?"
"If he keeps on calling for beefsteaks will
dozen more beefsteaks then I'll you what
Think
This with gay laugh, military salute with
an umbrella, and light good by"