The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-02
THE GUITEAU TRIAL.


Michael Stephens, grocer.
Samuel +. Hobbs, plasterer.
George W. Gates, architect.
Ralph Wormley, laborer.
w. II. Branner grocer.
Thomas Heraline, machinist.
Joseph Prather. commission merchant
SEVENTH DAY.
The crowd about the Court House was greater
than on any previous day. The assassin, livd
with fear, was escorted from the Jail to tie
courtroom by q squad of five policemen. In
medatey upon the opening Of court, Mr.. Rob
inson arose to criticise the treatment he had
received from Mr.. Scoville, and announced his
Withdrawal from the case. Guiteau, with con-
siderable warmth, said
That's an able speech and I agree with
most Of it. If he had only made 1t last Mon
day there never would have been any disturb
ance between us.
Scovie here tried to quiet Guiteau, when he
retorted upon him: keep quiet yourself.
I'm talking now. / sympathize with him in
this matter"
Scovile made q brief statement, deploring
the Disagreement after which Judge Cox re.
heyed Robinson from further connection with
the defense.
Scovie began to address the court with
"We do not expect to be compelled to conduct
the case entirely without assistance" Here
Guiteau exclaimed ~ understood Judge Ma
grinder was anxious to assist in this trial also
Mr.. Townsend. should like TO have them APP
pear here, as well Ak SWEET and Trude, of Chica-
go" Then adding, after short pause: Zone
word on the question OF NAL practice. My
idea is simply this-that by the physicians
own statement, on the 25th Of July, the Pres
ident was not fatally shot. We don't want to
press this subject-ony desire to have il 60 on
record so that the court in banc may take
notice OF it." After q brief pause Guiteau
added "That's all there is to the malpractice
business, short and to the point i want it
understood l appear as my own counsel here.
l am agent Of the Deity, and expect Him to
take care Of me. l think He has managed il
pretty well SO far"
After the examination Of Drs. Woodward and
Lamb and the exhibition of the fatal bullet, the
prosecution rested its case The assassin was
given permission to speak in his own defense.
Guiteau retaining his seat, began "Your
Honor, L was not aware Twas expected TO speak
this morning." Scoville here leaned over and
whispered to him, when Guiteau retorted
sharply, and with impatience 81 won't stand
up. I'm not afraid to, however, but have only
q moment to speak, and will keep my seat. J
do not care TO say more than was published
last Monday in my address TO the public. ]
presume the jury all saw it. / have no sci
speech to make. l appear as my own counsel
and my idea Is to make corrections az we &C
along, just as 1 have done the past three
or four days. / don't mean any dis
courtesy to any one. L only want
to get at the facts II any one says L owe them
$50 and don't / will deny it on the spot. My
idea is 10 take things when they are hot, not lei
them get cold and suffer from misrepresenta-
ton. OF course, 1 shall go on the stand at the
proper time, and be examined and cross-exam-
ined My idea, however, ID to meet misstate-
ment when it is hot, instead Of waiting to lei
the matter get digested and misunderstood.
/ think the true way IL to interject my state
20 II haxy sal
speech to make, but am much obliged to your
Honor and to my counsel for the courtesy of
this invitation"
Mr.. Scovie then proceeded TO address the
court. He said the question for the jury was
whether or not the prisoner killed the Presi-
dent, and whether or not the accus ed was in
such condition mentally as to render him re-
sponsible for his action. He had not finished
his remarks when the time for adjournment
was reached.
EIGHTH DAY.
There was the usual crowd present when
Guiteau was brought into the courtroom. He
had :" ride of honor" from the Jail, mounted
escort being in attendance. He seemed in
remarkably good humor, which is explained
by the fact that he had just received q
very nice letter, inclosing a money order for
e20, from an Illinois lawyer. Mr.. Scovills
continued the opening speech for the defense.
his family, with the idea Of establishing Gui-
teau's insanity. The assassin made the usual
number Of Interruptions and created the
usual number of scenes Scovile, referring in
his address to the prisoner, said that he was nm
successful as lawyer, and collecting bad debts
was his principa. business Whenever he met
another lawyer in court he failed.
Guiteau interrupted him, saying Il have
haG good many cases in court and never was
called fool. When lawyer / generally gave
them as good as got"
Scoville continued "Guiteau was persistent
az debt collector, and had good business"
Guiteau interrupted :" He had also good
habits, and his personal appearance, which
brought the business"
"Well'' said Mr.. Scoville che never had bad
habits. He never smoked, drank or chewed.
Once he tried a case with Charles Reed. OF CHI
cago, in which Reed got the impression he was
a little off,"
'That's false said Guiteau. 81 don't want
to interfere with your theory but l never tried
a case with Reed in my life. The rest Of your
story is good and true and, III regard to my
peculiarities you seem TO understand them.
But | want you to know l never was quite
fool when lawyer and don't you forget it."
Scoville said the prisoner was lacking in bust
ness ability, and ran behind in money matters.
Guiteau interrupted by saying ~ had
brains enough, but L had theology on my mind
then /; that's the reason did not adhere to law.
There no money in theology and ran behind
on that, and haven't got over 1t yet. I'm out
of the business now, though"
Scoville stated that, when in Wisconsin, Gui-
teau, overcome by heat, acted strangely and
threatened his sister with an ak. Guiteau said
this was lie. Scoville continued that friends
and family physicians considered him insane.
Physicians said he could be put into an asylum,
but the family objected 80 long as he was not
dangerous. Guiteau acted az usher at Moody
and Sankey meetings. and finally lectured on
the second advent OF Christ. He made no
msney.
Guiteau-" They were new ideas that people
were not educated up to"
Scoville continued to describe Guitoau's in
difference to monetary responsibilities, and
Guiteau interrupted with the statement that
he dead-headed from Detroit to Washington az
agent OF the Lord, and on his personal appear
ance. He was never put OF train but twice
He jumpedSnc and was nearly killed.
Scoville's speech was very ingenious plea,
and seemed to make favorable impression OF
the jury.
NINTH DAT.
When court opened Scoville made q formal
request for the papers taken from Guiteau at
the time Of his arrest, stating that they were
material evidence for the defense, and since
the prOeacutiOn had not needed theu ha could