Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-13
Sergeant Mason.

GUTTEAU's AssAILANT TO BE TRIED BY MILL
TARY COuRT-THE DEFENCE OF INSANITY TO
BE RAIsED-HIs CONFINEMENT AT THE AR
SENAL.
In the case of Sergeant Mason. who shot at
the assassin Guiteau on Sunday evening, there
having been no demand from the civil authori-
ties, charges have been preferred under the
rules and regulations of the army and forwarded
to General Hancock. Conduct prejudicial to
good order and military discipline is the charge
with specifications as to the act of shooting.
MILITARY COURT-MARTIAI
will probably be appointed in a few days by Gen.
Hancock. There seems to be no disposition on
the part of the authorities at the arsenal to keep
him in close confinement other than to prevent
all possibility for his escape. and there is no
question but that he will have fair and impair
tial trial before the military court. The sessions
of the court will be held at the arsenal. and will
likely be of short duration. The principal
feature in it will be the defence. 1t is under
stood that the same defence will be interpOsed
as would have been before civil court. viz.
emotional insanity on the subject of the assas-
sinatiOn of the President.
MASON is STILL CONFINED
In the prison at the barracks. and appears quite
cheerful. and says he feels better to-day in his
mind than yesterday. As has been stated before.
Mason is of Virginia nativity, having been born
in 1S45 and when he was five years of age his
father moved to Ohio. taking his family with
him. He has but two brothers. both younger
than himself, and neither Of whom were in the
army, but are now residents of northern Mis-
souri,.
HIS ARMY RECORD.
AT the age of sixteen he enlisted in company
ID. 18th Ohio volunteers. under the name of
Charles Is. Mason, his real name, (his present
name. John A, having been assumed when he
enlisted in the regular army in 1866 at Fred
ericksburg. Va) His company was commanded
by Capt. l. c. Robinson and regiment 10y Gen.
NJ. D. Leggett. Qate Commissioner of Patents. J
He received a fearful wound in the left shoulder
May 18th, 1868, at Raymond, Mississippi
the ball passing in at the armpt and
through the joint destroying the socket
and tearing off part of his left ear. 1t is, in
fact, matter of surprise that he is able to per-
form military duty arm hanging by the
muscles only. Mr.. Jonathan G. BigelOw is
THE COUNSEL FOR MASON,
and to him has been attributed the remark that
he would swear out the warrant against Mason.
This was taken from some words Mr. BigelOw
used jOkingly.
While the officers and soldiers at the arsenal
look on Mason as man above the average en-
listed man in intelligence. of good moral charac
ter. sober industrious. calm and cool under all
circumstances, many regard him as being Of I'M
sound mind as tOthe assassination.
HIS RESOLVE TO KILL GUITEAU.
On the 18th of June last he left this city for
Texas (FOrt McCavitt), to attend as a witness
OF July. while he was on his way home. the con-
ductOr OF the train announced that the Presi-
dent had been asSassinated at Washington by
man with an unprOnOunceabe name. The an
nOuncement created an excitement.
While some gave vent to their feelings of hor-
rOr he secretly resolved to kill the assassin if he
ever had the opportunity. Arriving here he
found his company on guard duty at the White
House. He never abandoned this resolve; it
was continually uppermost in his mind.
and when his company was detailed
for guard duty at the Jail, the repulsive sight of
Guiteau from day to day only nfiamed his passion.
and he became more fixed in his determination
to kill him. He deferred the attempt to kill him
until he was paid off. so as to enable him to pay
few small bills and send money to his family.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR MASON.
If Mason should live there is but little doubt
but that he will soon be the most popular man
in the country. There is much sympathy in the
departments for him, and subscriptions to en-
ploy counsel are being taken in some. In the
Post Office department to-day petition was
prepared and numerously signed. asking that
Mason should be promoted, as he has shown the
daring, GOODNESS, courage and other qualtca-
tons which are requisite to make good officer,
and has shown by his act that he abhors the EN-
ployment Of the American soldiers in guarding
such miscreant