Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-19
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.
The Prisoner Excited.
Evidence in Regard to the Shooting

the prisoners van drove up ana 0utteau,
clutciiing huge bundle in his manacled
hands, shuffled hurriedly in. There was
marked absence of noisy demonstration on
the part Of the ngstanders.yet Guireau plainly
BETRAYED fear of sudden violence, which al
WAYS marks his movements whenever he
deem. himself at all exposed TO danger. He
was taken to the prisoners. room and devoted
himself to reading the papers. AT 3 30, the
J seats reserved for the people were filled
flour fth. being occupied by ladies. The
I appe trance and general demeanor of the as
I semb!v was in marked contrast with that OF
previous DAYS, and seemed to be entirely free
/ from the rougher element
| Ipun the opening of the court Scoville
arose and requested the court 10 take some
measures 10 prevent the prisoner from giving
| 10 the public his unauthorized communica-
tion. and also to prevent annoying Interrupt
tons from the prisoner.
This brought on n scene during which
Gnitean demanded that Scoville should go
out of the case: that he no criminal
LAWYER and had no sense; that he talked one
3hing to him in private and another to the
public.
Scoville endeavored to explain to the court,
but Guiteau became more and more excited
and addressed himself alternately to the court,
to Scovile and to the baliffs, who were en-
deavoring to keep him quiet.
To the Court: / represent myself, your
honor, and | shall do as please about
counsel.
To Scoyille: You have got no capacity
and won't have you manage my case. Then
turning to the balffs he shouted, you mind
your business, you confoEnded fools, you
amt got no sense.
The court again stated to the prisoner that
in his absence To this ,Guiteau shouted
excitedly, / don't care if you do. The court
IN bane will reverse you and | will get new
trial and YOU have no right whatever to
remove me.
The court replied in terms which seemed
to convince Guiteau of their sincerity, Very
we'll, shall do so if you persist in making
anv more disturbance, and there are prece-
dents in this court for such ruling.
A whispered consultation between Guiteau
and Scovlle followed, and the former appar-
emily convinced, subsidized into absolute quiet
and devoted himself to his papers.
Corkhill then offered in evidence certain
letters which were Yesterday read to Blaine,
and identified by him.
Ed. A. Wagner was then called as a wit
ness, bur failed to respond.
S. X. Sharpe was then called and sworn.
He did not see the shooting, but saw the
prisoner as he attempted to escape, and wit
messed his arrest.
Ella NJ. Ridgley was the next witness, and
testified to hearing the conversation between
Guiteau and the hackman. while the former
was arranging to be driven to the cemetery.
She also witnessed the shooting, and gave
her evidence in clear and straightforward
manner. She was closely cross-questioned
by Scoville. but adhered closely to her evil
denee in chief. Being questioned as to Gui-
teaus manner when talking to the hackman,
she said he was pale and appeared to be in
trouble. She thought he must be going to
see the graves of some dead friends. The
witness described infinitely the shooting. rela-
tive positions of the parties at the time each
shot was fired, and was positive that the first
shot took effect as the President threw up his
hands and commenced to sink down. AT the
second shot, Guiteau stepped two or three
steps nearer and held his arm higher. The wit
ness proved to be the best one vet examined
upon incidents of the shooting.
Joshua a. Davis. gatekeeper at the Balti-
more Potomac depot. was next called. He
merely caught a glimpse of the prisoner after
he was arrested. He seemed to be struggling
to get away, but was not suffered to free
himself. The evidence of this witness occu-
Hitu Hc Nbhit put IL IL"
During the examination of these witnesses
Guiteau was apparently interested in his pa
pers. When the evidence was made to his
looking like a man about to visit the graves
of dead friends. he glanced quickly at the
witness and allowed a smile to linger for an
instant about his gutta -percha hued mouth.
VIM. +. Barker was called, but failed to
appear.
VIM. s. Crawford, wagon driver, saw the
shooting could not the President; dis
tinctly saw Guiteau aim and fire and saw his
arrest. Was about five feet from him when
arrested. Did not hear the prisoner say any
thing. He was questioned by Scoville at
some length, particularly as to how Guiteau
wore his hat on that occasion. Guiteau put
on his hat, remarking, They are all mistak-
EN- on that business. This is the way wear
my hat"
witness.-well, perhaps that is the way he
had it. only not quite so far back.
John Prescott, special officer on duty at the
depot, was at the south gate when the first
shot was fired At the second shot, ran in the
gate and across the hall and saw Mr.. Parke
holding man. 1t was Guteau. He said
he (Guiteau) said, will go to Jail. but
want Gen. Sherman to have this letter. He
assisted in taking the prisoner to the police
station. On the way Guiteau said, I'm a
stalwsrt and Arthur is now President.
The witness then detailed the incidates at
tending the search of the prisoner at the sta
ton and finding the pistol upon his person.
Corkhill then handed the pistol to witness,
who identified it as the one taken from the
prisoner. The pistol was handed around and
examined by the jury, their attention being
called to the fact that two barrels were empty
and tour were still loaded. A lengthy cross
examination elected no variation from the
evidence given.
Edmund l.. Dubarry was standing in the
main waiting room on the morning of the
shooting with his back turned to the ladies'
room. He heard pistol shot and turned
Immediately, and saw man with one arm
extended and saw a second shot fired. then
saw the man put his hand behind him and
turn to the street door when he was confront
ed BY an officer. He then saw him retrace
his steps and hurry into the main room where
he witnessed his arrest.
The witness identified the prisoner as the
man he saw fire the shot. The witness was
cross-examined by Scoville and sharply ques-
toned as to Guiteau's appearance, as to his
eyes, mouth. beard, ETC. to all of which the
witness replied:
TO the best of my recollection he had 4
bad face according to my opinion"
Scoville desired this portion Of evidence to
be stricken out unless the witness should