The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-12-08
Guiteau's Trial.

described Guiteau's appearance and actions
during his visit at her house In 1878. Frequent
objections were raised by the counsel for the
prosecution to the character Of the questions
propounded by Mr.. Scoville, and continual
discussion ensued between counsel upon the
admissibility Of certain evidence. Upon the
conclusion Of Mrs. Scovilles direct examina-
don, ut Mr.. Scovllle's request her cross-exam-
ination was postponed to allow Mr.. George d.
Burroughs, Of Chicago, to testify, as he de-
sired to leave the city the same afternoon. He
testified that he boarded with the Scovilles al
the time Of Guiteau's visit in 1878, and made
up his mind that the prisoner was either fool
or crazy. Before the next witness could be
called Guiteau suddenly broke in with III de-
sire to tell all these crank newspaper men that
appear here as my own counsel, That is my
answer to all the silly stuff they have been de-
livering themselves of for some days past.
Some Of these newspaper men have gone crazy.
appear hero in part as my own counsel, as
have q right to under tho law and Constitution
of America" The next witness, @. S. Jocelyn
of Lenox, N. Y, stated that he was the business
manager of the Oneida Community while that
institution had an existence; that he knew
Guiteau during his stay with the community ;
he thought his most marked characteristic was
his intense egotism. John W. Guiteau, brother
OF the prisoner, was next summoned. He had
not been on good terms with his brother for
some years, but had not doubted his sanity
he had come on here and had seen his brother
in jail, he had become satisfied that he was
insane. On being cross-examined the witness
admitted that before he came to Washington
he had always, in talking of the caso said that
he believed his brother was responsible. lie
believed him responsible but not sane /; re-
eponsible, because, as he thought, at some
period OF his life the prisoner had voluntarily
surrendered himself to evil practices rather
than good. Guiteau WINGED under these state
ments, evidently fearing that his brothers
cendor was injuring his case, and with consid-
erable bitterness interrupted: "My brotner
and hay Q not been on good terms for fifteen
years. He always sympathi2sd with my father
on that Oneida Community business, while Mr..
Scovlle and my sister sympathzed with me-
The last time | saw my brother in Boston we
had some angry wo.ds, so that he docs no.
come here to t stify for ME with the ordinary
force that brother usually does come. pm
glad to find he has changed his views however,
in my case. l want the public to understand
about this" Guiteau continued to interrupt
explain and correct the witness. Once Judge
Davldge attempted to stop him, but he waved
his hand imperious y, saying: "You keep
quiet, judge if you please" On further cross
examination John Guiteau admitted that he
did not believe his father insane. This witness
testimony was rather opposed to the theory of
the defense, that strong hereditary faint OF
insanity existed in the family Mr.. Scovile
tried to bring out that that theory had always
been repugnant to hi,H, and that he was pre-
j1diced against it, but this line Of examination
was ruled out on an objection. Mrs. Sarah W.
Parker, of Chicago, tho widow of Augustus
Parker, one of the sons of the prisoners Aunt
Anna next testified that her husband died in
the insane asylum at Elgin, Ill. She had re-
quested the prisoner to cease visiting at her
house because he had prorosed to educate her
daughter, aged thirteen years, so as to marry
lar Tl,a hat nt,itn
cracked. Next Mr.. Scoville asked that the
prisoner be sworn. Guiteau nervouslv
walked 10 the witness stand in the
cu-tody of two deputy marshals, AMI the
oath was administered to him. He then
whispered few words to police
man, who was standing near the witness-box,
and Immediately the three deputies ranged
themselves shoulder to shoulder behind the
prisoner, who, apparently more at ease, said.
inquiringly, to the judge 81 can sit down ? :"
"Yes," replied the judge, and the prisoner
seated himself Guiteau then identified about
twenty letters, dating from 1857 to 1868, which
he had written to his relatives
On the thirteenth day Mr. Scoville began
by putting in evidence copy of an extract
from the rec ri of the Bloomingdale Insane
asylum as to :1n admission and death of
Francis w. Gl;;sCu. The district attorney
admitted the fact ttat F. W. Guiteau died there
insane at the date indicated. The prisoner
was ther directed to take the witness-stand
At first he demurred to the suggestion of Mr..
Scoville that he should testify. He was led
around to the stand by his guards, who ranged
themselves behind him in a stiff row. but once
seated on the chair which he so earnestly
craved his lips were closed. He was willing to
identify letters or papers, but he did not
want to testify to anything which would sub
ject him to a cross-examination. He said
that he was "sick," or at least "indiposed." )"
Mr.. scoyille humored him. He read the two
dozen letters from the assassin to his father
and brothers, identified byhi on the previous
day. Then the assassin, at his own request,
was allowed to return to his seat. When Mr..
Scoville had finished reading the letters which
excited little interest, he called the assassin to
tho stand and kept him there until the ad-
journment. The assassin was allowed to tell
the story of his life in his own way. At
O'Clock he had brought it down to 1878.
Throughout he received the strictest attention
His story, so far as he unfolded it on the first
day, was the story of blasted and vagabond
life he said that he had, so far as in
fuence went, no mother. From a child
he met opposition. He quareled with
his father until after several bitter years
Of strife his weaker will gave way, and he ac-
cepted the beliefs imposed upon him. He
found no Joy or rest, however, in fanatical
faith. His years of young manhood were odious
to him. and finally his slavery, for SO he called
able. He separated himself from their union
but remorse and religious terror drove him
back again. He could not endure life which
grew daily more repulsive, and summoning uI
his feeble courage he fed secretly back once
moro into world he believed to be forever
cursed. He tried to turn his mind to business,
in vain. Day and night he walked the
streets of New York, haunted by the fears OF
retribution. AT last he threw these terrors of
and felt desire for worldly success, He
studied law and was admitted to the bar. While
his success was small he earned living, and
mingled as q fellow man and citizen with Other
men. But he soon broke down. His clients
left him, he drifted to New York, sank lower
and lower, till he was seized by the police fol
some petty offense and thrown into the city Jail.
Here he lived days and nights Of wretchedness
He was in rage at the very recollection. He
returned to TIE West filed with extravsgant
schemes for revolutionizing the world with
newspapers. No one fell in with his projects
and they failed utterly, as had all his plans be-
fore. He could do no work, make no money
He sought the shelter Of his sisters home
There he oitered weeks and months In idlones:
till one day. in moment Of passion or frenzy,
he attacked his sister, who had taught him hi
letters and had befriended him through all hif
improbable and wayward life. To keep his
liberty he fed, and essayed the part of a latter
day evangelist, journeying from town to towI
to instruct q dark world in the hidden meaning
of Scripture. Seedy and famished he wandered
through the country, stealing rides, food an(
shelter. To his topsy-turvy mind this was a
honest practice as his teachings were SOUND
doctrine He felt no shame. 81 was hap
pier" ho testified, "when was selling my lee
iure here in Washington in the departments
snd up and down Pennsylvania avenue thar
ever before in my life. People would now ant
then buy book, and then would say, well
perhaps Pm saving that mans soul.'" Gui
iean,s looks and manner on the stand, SAWS