Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-20
A ViIIaIn0us Confession.

States District-Attorney Corkhill have been
published to correct erroneous assertions
which have been made in relation to the as
sassin. The statements published show that
the attempted assassination Of the president
was the result of no sudden impulse, but
the work Of cool, deliberate generalization
The purpose, once conceived was chung to
with perseverance and was delayed by
considerations that add fresh interest to a
crime which, from the very nature Of the
victims Office and his personal attributes,
has tasked the power of all the world to
comprehend in all its enormity, and Of Ian
guage TO characterize in all its wickedness.
From the assassin's history of his move
ments previous to the moment when he fired
those shots at the president on the morning
of July I'd, it appears that he went to Wash
ington March 9th, and has boarded and
roomed at various places in that city since
that date. May 18th he determined to muir
der the president, but had neither money
nor pistol at the time. Having examined
different pistols with a view to obtaining
one most sure to accomplish his deadly pur-
pose, and having borrowed sl5 on the plea
that he wished to pay board bill, June
Sth he purchased the weapon which he used,
and on the evening of that day, and subse-
quently, practiced firing at mark. Then
he watched for an opportunity to execute
bis satanic purpose. June 10Th he followed
the president to church, but found he could
not kill him there without endangering the
lives of others. At church the president sat
near window. Having found, from exam
ination, that he could reach the window and
shoot the president in the head without kill
ing any one else, he determined to make the
attempt at this point on the following Sun
day, June 10th. He learned from the papers
that the president would leave Washington
Saturday, June 18th, with Mrs. Garfield for
Long Branch, and he went to the railway
station to carry out his murderous intention
there. But he claims that when he saw the
president enter with Mrs. Garfield on his
arm, weak and wasted from long and per-
ilous sickness, he had not the heart to shoot
her husband in her presence. On Wednes-
day, June 22d, the president, while out rid
ing with son and United States Marshal
Henry, was followed by this evil genius, but
the opportunity he sought was not afforded
Again, on the evening of July lst, he logged
the footsteps of the president as he walked
alone from the White House to Secretary
Blaines, and Swallowed him on his return in
the company of Mr. Blaine, without finding
the opportunity which satisfied his murder
Gus instincts. His next and last attempt on
the morning of July I'd paralyzed world
with the undreamed development of the
horrid purpose an assassin had been nursing
for six weeks. His movements on that fatal
morning were characterized by the same
cold-blooded unconcern and deliberation
which had marked all his previous at
tempts. He breakfasted at seven o'clock,
loitered in the park an hour, went to the sta
ton in street car, had his shoes BACKED,
engaged backman to take him to the Jail,
entered a water.closet and prepared his pts.
tol for its murderous work. and then coolly
returned to the ladies' reception-room to
await the coming Of his victim. Under the
baleful shadow of this wretch's constant,
undiscovered and unsupported attempts upon
his life, the president had rested for six
weeks, reposing in that strong confidence of
security which is as free and natural under
our institutions as that of the babe in its
mothers arms. 1t is wonderful that no act
of the villain during all this time betrayed to
the police, or to individuals, a suspicion even
of the deed of horror he was patiently wait
ing to consummate.