Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-07-12
A TALK WITH THE ASSASSIN.
Hss ABSURD Reasons for Shooting lie Psesi.
dent-He Claims that tie Lord Told
Him to Commit The Great crime-His
Confidence that Hs. aoi7l.ao be faaished.

dent-He Claims that the Lord Told
Him to Commit tie Gseat crime-His
Confidence that He soili.aot be Punished.
On Monday afternoon George Scoville, of
Chicago, brother>in Law of Guiteau, reached
Washington, and in the presence of District
Attorney Corkhill had an interview with the
assassin at the Jail. Guiteau is tho young.
est of Mrs. Scovillo's brothers. Mr.. Scoville
told without conccalment and unreseryedly
the whole story of what Happened. he began
by saying: 81 asked him the direct ones,
ton how it happened that he undertook
this sad business" He said SIT came TO
me first rs revelation from God when WAS
in bed one evening about six weeks ago. I,
came as revelation to mo that should kill
MIR. Garfield and end tho difficulties cxistirp
IN the Republican party. The next morps
ing when got up Thought ii over.
thought OF it aftorward, day after day. and
the more thought OF it the moro 1 became
convinced it was the will of God that
should kill Mr.. Garfield. 1 had nothing
against him personally that should kill
MN. respected him very much and think
HIM very worthy man; but the welfare of
the country, and the Republican party
seemed to mo to require that should mt
ing in tho Republican party would cease tho
party would become triumphant Che stol.
warts ruling, and tho party, in fact. would
be stronger than ever. I became satisfied
that it was the will of the people. too.'
How did you find out that it was tho
will of the people? Did you 90 and ask moo.
pie or speak to them about the thinp7,
asked Mr. Scoville
Guiteau laughed at this "Of course. /"
said he, ''such n thing would not do T,
would not do for me to tell people what
was going to do. No human soul knew of
'But," persisted Mr.. Scoville, show then
did you tind out what the people thought
about the thing?"
"Oh," replied Guiteau, '.I studied tho
newspapers every day, aud found from them
what the people wanted. I cut out slips
from these papers every day, which showed
that if tho stalwarts got into power tho
country would be satisfied and ell differences
would be ended. All the slips SO cut out BY
mo wcro incloscd by mo to Attorneys en-,
eral Mac Vengh, together with my explaua-
lion OF why was going to shoot the Presi-
dent, and asked him to publish the whole
IN newspaper. He has done me great
wrong in not having done as requested
r.
they would see why did So"
Mr.. Scoville tken, further addressing
Guitcnu, said: ~ have come all the wa9
hero from Chicago. I talked with MANY
people thcre and with many on the wav 70
this place, and find that the people. az YOU
call them, are very much excited against
you, and consider your act very grent out
rage and crime"
Guiteau smiled at this, and said: "I guess
you have not talked with tho stalyarts: thov
won't say So"
"Mr. scoville thereupon asked: "Iave
you contemplated the punishment You will
receive for this?"
To this Guiteau promptly replied: s.Thcy
can't punish mo; there can't be murder
without mur1erous intent, and I have
never had any intent to murder him. l had
no more intent to kill him than 1 had to kill
you. only meant TO shoot him for tho good
OF the country. During the war it was not
considered crime to shoot rebels: neither
was it. Now to shoot Mr.. Garfield was lust
ike shooting rebel during tho war"
"But suppose" continued Mr.. Scoyillc.
that jury should find differently, and
should convict you of murder?"
Guitenu again smiled. Said he: al am
not afraid of that; the stalwarts will protect
is particular friend of mine, and others of
tho stalwarts are friends of mine, and thew
arc not going so SEQ Inc suffer, when, by nv
act, placed them in power But this whole
affair will be blown over in thirty DAYS. lust
as soon as tho people become accustomed to
tho change and tho stalwarts arc in power.
and when they get my version of it and un-
derstand tho reason for the net they will be
satisfied, and therc will be no further com.
plant about it."
Mr.. Scoville interrupted Guiteau, saving:
''The President may not die. He NAV sur.
vlve, and oven then your punishment nav
be capital, on account of tho euormity of the
crime"
Guiteau answered: t1The President will
die; [ know no will die 1 hear of reports
every once in a while to the effect that he is
better. But, mark my word. he will die.
The Lord intends it. The Lord directed
me, and he means that the President shall
die"
Dir. Corkhill, tho prosecuting attorney,
bore asked: "But suppose the President
should 1.-Two, what will You then say about
tho Lord aud His will?"
Guiteau answered by saying that if sucb
was what happened it would be because tho
Lord does not intend the President shall die.
'ln that event." pursued BIr. Corkhill
"Would you shoe. the President agaip?'
Again Guitcau laughed blithely, and said
that he would 20 according to the will of the
Lord. Iio would have no moro to do with
the matter, and would not again shoot the
President if the Lord did not intend the
latter to die.
Among other things about Guiteau is the
fact that what statements he has made TO
Mr.. Corkhill have, on investigation, turned
out to be correct. Ono of these statements
was concerning the purchase of tho pistol
with which he committed his horrible deed.
Ho was known to DO in very Strengthened
pecuniary circumstances at the time, and
much curiosity was evinccd to ascertain