Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-12-01
GENERAL NEWS.
Guiteau Relates the Story Of
His Life.
It is Interesting Reading as itshow.
the Diminutive CaIibre Of
the Assassin.
The speakersllip Fight Reduced
tOa Contest Between tile
East and West.

/
East and West.
TUESDAYS TESTIMONY.
Washington. Nov. 29.-The crowd in
and about the court house this morn;nn
was greater than ever.
Immediately upon the onenin1 NJ
court Guiteau was called to the witness
stand and took his place, closely watched
and guarded by the police and court Off.
GERS. He was asked by Scoville to give
some incidents from his earliest recoilec.
tions Of his mother. Guiteau replied
Am to be put on as regular witness
to day, or only to identity some letters !?
supposed the latter. 1 am not feeling
at oil we'll to-day, but shall be much bet.
ter in week or so.
Scoville-l had arranged to examine
you to-day, as there was no other witnes.
ses present.
Guiteau-You should have had your
witnesses on the stand. I object to 60
ing on the stand when am not feeling
well. to be subjected to cross-examina.
ton by the counsel for the prosecution
l have got good deal to say. l want
to go over tho whole business carefully
and scientifically. so to speak, and want
to be IN good talking condition.
Scoville-I shall only ask you simple
questions.
Guiteau-I am willing to answer, pro.
vlded the prosecuting attorney will not
take advantage Of my presence to force
me to seat my entire defense.
Judge Porter Of the prosecution sug-
gested that the papers and letters which
were put on evidence to be identified
yesterday should be read, as they must
necessarily be at some stage of the trial.
Scoville explained that he had endeav-
ored to arrange for the introduction of
this evidence according to his idea Of
prorriety and legal fitness. He knew
that the prisoner was not feeling we'll to-
day, and he had expected he would be-
come tired or exhausted. when lie had
proposed 10 ask the indulgence of the
court and postpone further examination.
He did desire. however, to ask the pris-
oner few questions to-day.
Guiteau-I am perfectly willing to do
that, but l don't want the prosecution to
take advantage of my presence here to
cross-examine me to-day.
Scovilie-The court will relieve you if
Guiteau-With that understanding 1
will go on.
Col. Corkhill-We can't submit to any
such arrangement as that.
Scoville-I don't ask your consent.
appeal to the court.
Judge Cox stated that if the witness
went upon the stand to testify he must
submit to being ross.examined, and il
his examination as o witness was begun
1t could not be suspended except by con-
sent of the counsel on the other side.
Guiteau (nodding his head approving.
ly)-That's the rule, judge, rs ] under
stand it.
After some further discussion, Guiteau
was removed from the stand and Scoyille
proceeded to read the letters.
They were all written by Guiteau tC
his father aud other members of his fam.
lily, and covered q period of fifteen OF
twenty years.
AS the reading of the letters pro-
gressed, Guiteau occasionally comment
ed upon them, or suggested the proper
word.
When Scoville hesitated while one ol
a date from the Oneida community was
being read, Guiteau said: "Well you car
see | was badly cranked about that
time"
Another time Scoville hesitated and
said: Hero is word cannot make
out"
Civilization is the word," prompted
Guiteau. "You can see how badly mixed
got in that miserable country. II
makes me mad every time think of it
INish those letters were not in exist
ence."
Scoville read from one of the letters
II am with Jesus Christ and company
and J. am working for them"
"That was my sentiment" said Gui
teau, "and that has been my position
ever SINCE"
In another letter addressed to his
father the prisoner had requested $20t
or $500.
Guiteau commented upon this letter
saying, "Father did not send me the
money. He always thought was badl,
cranked."
Another letter was read in which thu
writer crititised severely the Uneid,
community, and referred to q circular
inclosed, which also denounced the com
munity and their practices.
Gmteau exclaimed: Several of til,
New York dailles took up my circula
uuA ACSoVC0 CAltOl10A CO1uucukb W IL
. That was ailittle bit of revenge hat
for living in that miserable society.
am glad to know that they are broke,
up. 1 was virtuous man all the tim
I was there, and want it understood.
The reading Of the letters was fnishs.
! at noon. and Guiteau resumed the wit
ness stand.
: Scoville began with question as t
his recollections of his early life.
Guiteau r esponded promptly and in
telligently. and with perfect calmnes
. for some minutes, apparently enjoyinI
the situation and his freedom to tall
Alluding to his father second marriage
he said smilingly, "He went off one da
without consulting me ut all and GO
married. I thought that was u tunn
way Of doing business and got very ma
over II"
Whenever allusion was made to til
Oneida community Guiteau becam
very much excited and denounced til
community and his fathers course j
persuading him to go there.
"Why do you more dislike you
father" asked Scoville.
u because il he had been out of til
wny never should have gone under I'll
influence of that miserable fenaticisn
There never was such spiritual fanatic
in the world. The amount of it WAS,
speak plainly. Noycs' sole idea was
Id ~.ak n ~l,cvon a. uioa,> nth tho ronp