The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-11-29
ruption was taken by the court.

acLeristlc was lntense egotism-
John w. Guiteau, brother of tn
prisoner was next examined. He hat
not been on good terms with his brothe
for some years, but had no doubt Of hi
sanity until he received some letters il
October. Since be had come on her
and had seen his brother in the cour
room and at the jail he had become sat
isfied that he was insane. On beinl
cross-examined witness admitted be
fore be had come to Washington be had
always in talking Of the case, said be be
lieved his brother was responsible, bu
not sane; responsible, because as hs
thought at some period of his life thu
prisoner had voluntarily surrendered
himself to evil practices rather than
good"
Gaiteau WINGED under these state
ments, evidently fearing his brothers.
candor would injure the case, and with
considerable bitterness interrupted,
"My brother and I have not been on
good terms for fifteen years. He al
ways sympathised with my father on
that Oneida community business. while
Scoville and my sister sympathised
with me. The last time saw my
brother we had some angry words, SO be
does not come here to testify for me
with the ordinary force a brother
usually does come. and 1 am glad to
find he has changed his views. how
ever. in my case. want the public to
understand about this"
Guiteau continued to interrupt, ex-
plain and correct witness. Once Judge
Davidge attempted to stop him, but he
waved his hand imperiously, saying.
"You keep quiet judge IL you please. {"
Shortly after, witness was asked in
connection with an incident he had re-
lated, If he, at that time, thought the
prisoner insane.
Guiteau quickly anticipated his reply
by saying, "why, of course, he has al
ways thought was badly cracked"
Witness said he never detected the
slightest traces OF insanity in his father.
After recess witness was questioned
at some length as to Guiteau's family
and instances of alleged insanity in his
family. He did not know Of the in
sanity of his aunt and two uncles except
by report.
On being asked by Scoville to explain
what he meant by saying his brother
was morally responsible and that he was
under .he influence of the devil. wit
ness Explained the peculiar belief Of
his brother as to the controlling in.
fiuences Of Christ and the devil, which
were being exercised upon mankind.
and that one or the other always gained
the ascendency. He agreed with his
father, and believed at the same time
that his brother had, through his in
tense egotism and wilfulness, surren-
dered himself to the influences of the
devil, and that being free moral agent
he was morally responsible to God for
his crime. That was his understand
ing Of the responsibility in this case.
The prisoner here interrupted some
what petulently: You've got that thing
wrong side up, my friend. It's very
poor theology and very poor practice
for you to talk.
Witness: Perhaps have, but don't
think so.
Mrs. Sarah w. Parker, Of Chicago,
widow of Guiteau's cousin, testified
to the fact Of her husbands insanity
and death in an insane asylum. She
knew Guiteau; he visited their house in
Chicago in PIG, and she forbade him to
visit the house again. He fell desper-
ately in love with witness's fourteen
year old daughter.
Davidge: A very common form Of
insanity.
Witness thought Guiteau insane, az
did her daughter also.
. Guiteau: They were very poor and
used to go down there and give them
money, and they seemed very gratifed
In that way became interested in ths
daughter, but she was altogether tot
young for me.
Fernando W. Jones, Of Chicago,
boarded in the same house in that city
with the prisoner in 10, and formed
the opinion that he was Of unsound
mind. Witness made a representation
to the court officers as to Guiteau's
mental condition, which he supposed
secured his release at the time HI
was imprisoned for failure to return
money which he had collected for 9
client.
Quite a stir followed the sudden an
nouncement by Scoville that the pris
oner wound now be sworn.
Guiteau took the stand, pale, bu
otherwise unmoved. He glanced be
hind him somewhat nervously and re
quested the officers to stand close t
him. Marshal Henry and deputy ant
two policemen stood between Guitea,
and the crowd of men who filed tn
small standing room between Guiteal
and the door. Apparently reassured
Guiteau took the oath, and seatinl
himself, said to Judge Cox: I presum
it is understood judge, that I do no
NI s