Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-07-08


number, think his insanity is feigned.
Hanging round the Presidents house ana
the departments, making free use of all that
came in his way, now cringing and now IN
soleut, he was understood to be seeking a
consulship on the continent OF Europe. III
cannot be ascertained that he had any re-
concentrations. Some days ago while the
President was absent he called, and day
or two ago made special inquiries there as
to when and how the President would leave
the city. From that time he has not been
seen about the White House, though gen
tleman states that he was at the state De-
partment yesterday.
A correspondent of the New York Herald
telegraphs from Washington as follows:
Under the impression that was sufficient
ly fortified with documentary and personal
strength, drove out to the Jail wherein Gui-
teau is confined this morning. AS l ap-
preached Lincoln Park | saw an artillery
sergeant dashing past our buggy. hailed
him and asked If the boys had camped out
in the park last night. part of them, sir !;
the rest slept in the Jail. The horses were
picketed as you see them" A drive three
minutes brought me to the jail The bell
was answered quickly, and the official for
whom | inquired deputy Warden Russ
psesented himself. My mission was easily
explained and my voucher did his utmost,
in the most adroit manner, without effect.
"Well, can't see Guiteau? Can't look
at him?"
mo, sir; the orders are most imperative"
said Russ. mo one has been and none Will
be admitted to see him"
peered through the grated door which
separated the reception-room from the main
hallway, and on either side fthe door stood
an armed sentinel. | asked the deputy in
which portion of the building the poor
wretch was cribbed. "He occupies a cell
near the main hallway" he answered,
evasively.
"Have you seen or spoken to him re-
cently?'
"Yes, but we are all forbidden to talk to
him. Ifhe wants anything he usually makes
it known TO the guard in the neighborhood
of his cell or TO one of the attendants passing
by"
swell, isn't it necessary to remove him
from his cell occasionally"
"No, sir; there is no occasion for his re-
moval. His cell is provided with every con
venience and was selected with that view
He can occupy it till he dies, ifneed be,
without removal. His meals are passed in
to him"
"Does he speak to no attendant when
passing his meals ?"
every frequently He often asks for news
from the White House, and usually gets
what is the latest"
Does he appear nervous over the result
of his attemptY
NERVOUS? Not bit of it, Why, when
he was first imprisoned yesterday he was as
nalu1 a man who ayppptn1 an Immediate
acquittal. He was put in his cell, stripped
himself of his coat, threw himself leisurely
on the bed and commenced to read the pa
per rs coolly as if he were the proprietor of
it,"
Appetite good?'
"Indeed it is. Probably it lis a little sharp
ened by the recent experience in this city,
being tired of boarding houses and working
lunch routes. Anyhow it's what we'll
fed man would call good appetite, and he
sleeps as soundly As an old deacon in
church"
"From what you have seen Of him do you
think he regrets the act 2"
mo, | do not, sir. 1t seems TO me that
when he asks the news he would like to hear
that the President is dead He has express
ed no regret None in the world"
"Do you believe him insane?"
81 do not" was the quick reply. "Eccent-
rio he certainly is, but not insane from
legal standpoint fat all insane it is not of
that character which touches his moral per-
captions"
"What, then, think you, was the motive of
his crime? ?"
ooh, the man was soured and embittered
against the whole world, and his life was a
failure. There was nothing in the past or
in the present as an augury of hope for the
future He was ready to die and he deter
mined with the malignity of a fiend to drag
some one down with him, and he did it, and
whole nation at this moment, regardless of
creeds or politics, is plunged into the pro-
ioundest depths of grief That's my idea of
his insanity, sir" concluded the keeper.
"Guiteau called here recently, did he not ~
"Yes, about three weeks ago. He said he
was a lawyer from Chicago and wanted
from curiosity to inspect the prison.. did
not like his looks. He has cadaverous ap-
pearance and wears his hat pulled down
over his eyes. Oh, it's quite plain to me
that this thing has been working on him
for months, may be. The moment he was
brought here yesterday | recognized him
because of his peculiar appearance
Notwithstanding the stringent orders that
had been given against allowing any one TO
see the prisoner short talk with him was
had by an envoy of the Herald. When he
reached his cell the prisoner arose from his
cot and peering through the bars anxiously
inquired:
"llow is the Presidentg"
Being told that he was suffering great pain
Guiteau replied 81 am very sorry TO hear
that. | wish ! had put another ball into
him, for that would have ended his suffer
ings"
"Guiteau, what was your motive for this
act?"
81 had been contemplating the thing for
six weeks, and what ! did was forced TO
do by an inspiration from God. did ii for
political purposes and through patriotic
motives. ] went to the depot to do the
deed two weeks ago when the President
went 70 Long Branch, but he came hand in
h-na with Mrs. Garfield, who looked SO
delicate that had not the heart to do it,"
WAS any one connected with you in this
affair, Guiteauy
mo, Sir; | conceived it myself and exc.
cuted 1t myself alone am responsible for
it. No soul on earth knew of il but MYSELF
| considered il political necessity 10 retire
Garfield and thus save the Republican party
had no murder in my heart, for had moth.
ing against the President personally /
helped to elect him."
"llad you no fears of future punishmentYp
mot at all. What did was for the bene.
fit of the Republican party and the public
| have no fear but that will be liberated
| am stalwart of the stalwarts, and /
know ce-President Arthur and General
Grant very we'll"
Replying 10 u question as TO his insanity
he said; 81 had two cousins in the insane
asylum once. My only other relations are
Il sister in Chicago and brother in Boston,
"Did you think your act would make A
martyr of you ?"
II had no such thought. | knew that il
was necessary for some one TO retire Gar.
field, and made up my mind to do il and
save the country and the party am truly
sorry that nv act has caused him, ca much