The examiner., 1881-12-03

insanity existed in the family Mr. scovifle tried to bring out that that theory had always been repugnant to hi;a, and that he was pre- iulced against it, but this line of examination was ruled out on an objection. Mrs. Sarah w. Pdrker of Chicago, tho widow of Augustus Parker, one of the sons of the prisoners Aunt Anna, next testified that her husband died in the insane asylum at E gin, Ill. She had re- quested the prisoner to cease visiting at her house because he had prorosed to educate her ,,.auGhter, aged thirteen years, So as to marry her. The witness considered that Guiteau was cracked. Next MT. Scovillo asked that he prisoner be sworn. Guiteau nervouslv walked 10 the witness stand in the cu tody of two deouty marshals, an: the oath was administered to him. He then whispered & few words to & police man, who was standing near the witness-box, and immediately tho three deputies ranged themselves shoulder to shoulder behind the prisoner, who. apparently more at ease, said, "Yes," replied the judge, and the prisoner seated himself Guiteau then identified about twenty letters, dating from 1857 to 1868, which he had written to his relatives.
 On the thirteenth day MT. Scoville began by putting in evidence copy of an extract from the record of the Bloomingda!e Insane asylum as to the admission ana death of FraAcis W. Guiteau. The district attorney admitted the fact that F. W. Guiteau died there insane at the date indicated. The prisoner was then directed to take the witLess-stand. At first he demurred to the suggestion of MT. Scoville that he should testify. He was led around to the stand by his guards, who ranged themselves behind him in stiff row, but once seated on the chair which he so earnestly craved his lips were closed. He was willing to identify letters or papers, but he did not want to testify to anything which would sub ject him to cross-examination. He said that he was "sick," or at least "lndlposed." MT. Scoville humored him. He read the two dozen letters from the assassin to his father and brothers, identified by him on the previous day. Then the assassin, at his own request, was allowed to return to his seat. When MT. Scoville had finished reading the letters, which excited little interest, he call ed the assassin to the stand and kept him there until the ad- journment. The assassin was allowed to tell the story of his life in his own way. At o'clock he had brought it down to 1878. Throughout he received the strictest attention. His story, so far as he unfolded it on the first day, was the story of blasted and vagabond fuence went, no mother. From child he met opposition. He quareled with his father until after several bitter years of strife his weaker will gave way, and he ac- cepted the beliefs imposed upon him. He found no joy or rest, however, in fanatical faith. His years of young manhood wore odlous to him, and finally his slavery, for so he called it, in the Oneida Community became intoler- able. He separated himself from their union, but remorse and religious terror drove him back again. He could not endure life which grew daily more repulsive, and summonlng up his feeble courage he fled secretly back once more into world he believed to be forever cursed. He tried to turn his mind to business, in vain. Day and night he walked the streets of New York haunted by the fears of retribution. At last he threw these terrors off and felt g. desire for worldly success, He studied law and was admitted to the bar. While his success was small he earned living, and mingled as a fellow man and citizen with other men. But he soon broko down. His clients left him. he drifted to New York, sank lower and lower, till he was seized by the police for some petty offense and thrown into the city jail. Here he lived days and nights of wretchedness, He was in a rage at the very recollection. He returned to the West filled with extravagant schemes for revolutionizing the world with newspapers. No one fell in with his projects, and they failed utterly, as had all his plans be- fore. He could do no work, make no money He sought the shelter of his sisters home. There he loitered weeks and months in idleness till one day, in moment of passion or frenzy, he attacked his sister, who had taught him his letters and had befrended him through all his improbable and wayward life. To keep his liberty he fled, and essayed the part of a latter day evangelist, journeylng from town to town to instruct dark world in the hidden meanings of Scripture. Seedy and famished he wandered through the country, stealing rides, food and shelter. To his topsy-turvy mind this was as honest practice as his teachings were sound doctrine. He felt no shame. "I was hap
 
 ture here in Washington in the departments and up and down Pennsylvania avenue than ever before in my life. People would now anl then buy book, and then would say, Well, perhaps I'm saving that mans soul.'' Gui- teaus looks and manner on the stand, says a correspondents, attracted close attention. He looked haggard and sick. His face was gaunt and pallid His eyes fickered, his lips were colorless, and every movement was sudden and restless. He began calmly, but as the memo ries of his hateful past were revived he grew more nervous and demonstrative. The recol- lection of his life at Oneida made him furious and his denunciations of the leaders in that community were violent. Some of his de- scriptions were very graphic. He Is good mimic, and as he showed the jury by voice and gesture his treatment by railroad officials and others the audience could not, at times, help laughing in spite of the grim ear nestness of the speaker. Now and then his own features would relax into smile that was nearer grimace. Perhaps he never looks worse than when he grins. He talks at speed which is the despair of stenographers. A short hand reporter in court estimated the rate at 250 words minute His utterance is very ner- vous and fervid and his gestures quick and bold. His manner is that of a man wholly and deadly in earnest. He speaks without pre- meditation and in all his windings and turn ings never contradicts himself or gets names, dates or places wrong. His accurate and ready memory was noticed by all. Timid as he evil dently was when first put upon the stand. he nod md aotn