The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-07-23
Confession of Guiteau.

OdTu6lu
"The interest felt by the public in
the details of the assassination and
the many stories published justify
me in stating that the following is a
correct and accurate statement con-
corning the points to which reference
is made: The assassin, Charles 7.
Guiteau, came to Washington CITY
on Sunday evening, March 9th, 1881.
and stopped at The Fbbitt House, re-
naming only one day. He then
secured room in another part of the
city. and has boarded and roomed at
various places, the full details of
which l have.
son Wednesday, May IS, 1881, the
assassin determined to murder the
President. He had neither money
nor pistol at the time. About the
last of May he went into Omeara,s
store, corner of Fifteenth and F
streets. in this city, and examinK1
some pistols, asking for the largest
calibre. He was shown two, similar
in calibre, and only different ia the
price. On Wednesday, June 9Th, he
purchased the pistol which ne used,
for which he paid $40, he having in
the meantime borrowed SIS of
gentleman in this city en- the plea
that he wanted to pay his board bill.
On the same evening shout seven
O'Clock he took the pisbl and went
to the foot of Seventeenth street and
practiced firing at board, firing ten
shots. He then returned to his board
ing place, and wiped the pistol dry
and wrapped it in his coat, and wait
ed his opportunity.
son Sunday morning, June II. he
was sitting in Lafayette Park and
saw the President leave for the Chris.
tian Church. on Vermont avenue,
and he at once returned to his room,
obtained his pistol. put it in his hip
pocket, and followed the President to
church he entered the church, but
found he could not kill him there
without danger Of killing some one
else. He noticed that the President
sat near window I; after church he
made an examination of the window,
and found he could reach it without
any trouble, and that from this point
he chould shoot the President through
the head without killing any one
else. The following Wednesday he
went to the church, examined the To-
cation and the window, and became
satisfied he could accomplish his pur-.
pose. and he determined. thepefore.
to make the attempt at the church
the following Sunday. He learned
from the papers that the President
would leave the city on Satur-
day, the 18th, of June, with Mrs.
Garfield, for Long Branch. He,
therefore, determined to meet him
at the depot. He left his boarding
place about five O'Clock Saturday
morning, June 1S, and went down to
the river, at the foot of seventeenth
street, and fred five shots, to practice
his aim and be certain his pistol was
in good order. He then went to the
depot, and was in the ladies' waiting
room of the depot, with his pistol
ready, when the Presidential party
entered. He says Mis-. Garfield look
ed so weak and frail that he had not
the heart 10 shoot the President in
her presence, and as he knew he
would have another opportunity, he
left the depot. He had previously
engaged carriage to take him to the
Jail. On Wednesday evening the
President and his son, and, l think,
States Marshal Henry, went out for
a ride. The assassin took his pistol
and followed them, and watched
them for some time, in hopes the car
riage would stop, buSno opportunity
was given.
son Friday evening, July 1, h,
was sitting on the seat in the park
opposite the White House, when he
saw the President come out alone
he followed him down the avenue to
Fifteenth street, and then kept on
the opposite side of the street up
Fifteenth until the President entered
the residence of Secretary Blaine.
He waited at the corner of Mr.. Nor. |
toms late residence, corner of Eff.
teenth and H, for some time. and
then, as he was afraid he would at.
tract attention, he went into the allev
in the rear of Mr.. Morton's residence
examined his pistol and waited. The
President and Secretary Blaine came
out together, and he followed them
over to the gate of the White House
out could get no opportunity to use
his weapon. On the morning of Sat
urday, July 2, he breakfasted at the
Riggs House about 7 O'Clock. He