The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-29
eU1rEAu. THE ASSASSIN.
Preparations Making to Guard Il
Wretch.-He is Fearful Of an Attack.

Preparations Making to Guard the
Wretch.-He is Fearful of an Attack.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Believing the Presi-
dents death likely to occur at any time, Gen.
Sherman is taking measures to guard the jail,
the White House and the arsenal against any
violent demonstrations that may be made after
the President is dead. There are five batter
les of artillery permanently located at the ar
senal, under the command of Gen. Ayres,
colonel of the second regiment Gen. Sher-
man has ordered up four OF the i've batteries
which are located at Fort Monroe, and they
will arrive here tomorrow morning. There is
a company of marines stationed at the navy
yard. The artillery can bring several light
field guns to play, besides number of Calling
guns; consequently there will be sufficient
force to protect the Jail from any attacks that
may possibly be made upon it. The authori-
ties will not say whether they are acting on
any special information in strengthening the
guards here. 1t is probable that they are not
but are simply taking precautions against dan
gers that may or may not arise, but which have
not yet arisen. The events now occurring de-
monstrate Gen. Sherman's wisdom in having
a proper military force permanently located
here, with extensive barrack accommodations
and a colonel in command.
1t is the intention of the authorities to keep
Guiteau at the jail, and, if the President dies,
it is quite likely that he will be tried there. A
court room can easily be fitted up in the r0tun-
d. The trial, as the shooting is admitted need
not last longer than two days, and, as scatfod
is already erected in the Jail having remained
there since the execution of two murderers
last spring, only a few hours would be required
to adjust the rope, if the occasion should re-
quire it. 1t is urged that in case of this
kind the extent of the law should be dealt out
as speedily as possible; and that, as in the case
of the assassination of President Lincoln, the
trial and execution should take place in one
building, and with as little delay as possible.
The assassin has recently become fearful
that some outsiders meditated an attack upon
him. but how he received this impression is
unknown, unless from observing that the num-
Der of soldiers has been increased. Usually he
inquiries of the guards, as they come on duty,
for the latest news from the President, and re-
ceives the stereotyped answer: Improving at
the last accounts to which he replies, Il am
glad to hear il"
He is still engaged in writing. Some of his
reference to procuring bail, while others pur-
port to give an account of the alleged vision
that inspired him to shoot the President, and
his reasons for the shooting, such as have been
published over and over again. Since the cpl
sode with the guard McGill few days ago, he
has been quite bitter toward the guard. A few
nights after the occurrence, seeing Mr.. McGill
in the rotunda, he demanded to know why ne
was not locked up, claiming that McGill was
as guilty as he was, only McGill failed to
shoot Subsequently he addressed a letter to
an official outside, whom he regards as stall
wart friend requesting him to go to Judge
Wylie and make charge of assault with in
tent to kill against McGill, on information and
belief. 1t is needless to say that this letter has
not been sent to the party it is addressed to-