The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-11-26
Number 2 2.
The Last Attempt to shoot
Gitteau.

NlOOCau'
On Saturday evening another at
tempt was made to kill Gitteau. The
particulars are given in the extract
below which is from Washington
dispatch dated Saturday night:
The dryer of the prison van gives
the following particulars of the at
tempt to shoot Gitteau The facts are
substantially these Upon the ad-
iournment of the court the van
started, as usual, for the Jail, having
one policeman as guard, who sat on
the seat with the driver. Before
reaching the capitol the guard no iced
young man on horseback riding
leisurely behind the van. Near the
corner of East Capitol and First
street the horseman rode directly up
to the rear of the van and hastily
preped through the small grating.
Gitteau was alone in the van. After
evidently satisfying himself Of the
location of the prisoner, the horseman
wheeled suddenly to the left of the
van and fired diIectly through it. He
then dashed to the front of the van
and pointed his pistol at the driver,
with the evident intention of intimid-
ating him or S opping the van. The
driver was somewhat excited, and in
response to an inquiry cf the reporter,
said perhaps he intended TO stop the
van by shooting one of the horses.
Seeing an armed patrolman by the
side of the driver; he exclaimed
"I've shot tho of - and
putting spurs to his horse, dashed
down East Caritol street in the
direction of the Congressional Gene
tary. The policeman fred one shot
at the fast departing horseman, and
the driver OF the van whipped his
horses into a gall p and kept in sight
OF him for several blocks. The would
be avenger was mounted upon
blooded horse, and rea'4ily escaped
into the country. He was described
as a smooth faced man, about twenty
five years of age, and a dashing
horseman. He had on a dark
brown suit. The van then proceeded
to the jail, and Gitteau was trken out
in state of great excitement. He
exclaimed, "Ihave been shot. Notify
Major Brock at once. Tell him
to arrest the scoundrel and have him
dealt with as he deserves. On ex-
animation it was found that the ball
had just grazed Gitteau's lift wrist,
inficting a mere scratch. The ball
struck the opposite side of the van
and fell on the fl or, where it was
found on reaching the Jail. The an
nouncement of the attenIp' on Git
teau's lie created intense excitement
upon The streets, and all sorts OF
rumors were at once in circulation.
The would. be killer was seen about
the courthouse this af ernoon and at
tempted to gain admission during the
day. but failed. He was also seen to
mount his horse. near the courthouse,
after the van left, and ride leisurely
after it. 1t was rumored that he
hailed from Illinois, but there seems
to be no foundation for the report.
1t was whispered IN the crowd with
out the courthouse just previous to
the adjournment, that to-day would
be the last day of the trial. A re-
mark WIS also heard in the crowd
that if any one wanted to see Gitteau
they had bet er do SO to-day. Thls
would lead to the belief that more
than one person was aware that the
attempt would be made
The man who did the shooting
was captured several hours afterwards
at the Soldiers Home near Washing
ton. His name was given as jones'
and he is said to be crank,