Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-14
THE TRIAL OF GUITEAU.
HE CALLS A WITNESS A LIAR.
A SICK JUROR CAUSES AN EARLY
ADJOURNMENT.


were Representatives Atkins, OF Tennessee, and
Buckner, OF Missouri, and ex-Representative Har-
ris, OF Virginia.
GUITEAU INTRODUCES FAvoRABLY THE FIRST WIT
NESS OF THE DAY.
When the court was called to order Rev. John
L. Witherow, D. D., of Boston, was called to the
stand. Guiteau, looking up, said: "Dr. Witherow
is the honOred pastor Of the Park Street church,
Boston, the church used to attend when was in
Boston. He's very fine fellow"
The witness testified to meeting Guiteau in BOs-
ton In 1877 and 1873; the prisoner said he had been
interview he asked witness to allow him to lecture
in his church in answer to Mr.. IngersOll, but the
request was refused. Afterwards the witness
usually saw the prisoner at the Friday evening
meetings at his church Guiteau always occupied
the same seat, and the witness noticed that he
took part in the meetings; rising and speaking.
The nature OF the questions asked by the prisoner
were always OF the same character.
THE WITNESS THOUGHT GUITEAU "CUTE."
The witness recited at considerable length va
rious facts connected with Guiteau'S conduct In
church He concluded that the prisoner was per-
fectly sane, and said that he thought him very
shrewd man. "Not shrewd, perhaps" said the
witness, "but cute"
"What is the difference, doctor7" asked the pris-
Oner
zone is sharper than the other," replied the wit
"And smaller" added the district attorney
HE didn't say that Corkhill," put in the pris-
you have said on this case. You must have slept
well last night"
GUITEAU HELPS THE WITNESS OUT.
Upon cross-examination the witness was asked
as to the subjects which the prisoner discussed at
the meeting. The witness not being able to recall
any particular subject, the prisoner said IL can
help you out, doctor. ! generally followed the
subject that was being discussed-in short and
pointed way. My mind is gritty. That is the ma
ture of my mind 1t is gritty. There's not much
nonsense and sentiment about me. II there was |
shape"
The witness said the prisoner had brought a
copy copy OF MS book, THE Truth" to him. The wit
tion, ana thoug htleSs, unrefned opinion.
Speech by Guiteau.
At this point the juror Gates was excused tempo
rarily, and Guteau took advantage of the sus-
pension of business to make speech, as follows:
III attended DIR. Witherow's church regularly
While in Boston; l went to the Christian Associa-
tlon regularly and the Christian Union regularly
and associated with high toned Christian people
state that for the benefit OF COrkh1lls depravity
thecry. l don't know any dead-beats, and aont
want to say further that it is very evident to
every man that the purpose of this sort OF evi-
dence is to settle whether knew the difference be-
tween risht and wrong don't care whether
knew it Was wrong or not. My free agency was
ttas destroyed ryaa. and l didn't care whether it
not a question of right and wrong. That Kills
n your a,e theory & gentlemen lam not here to save
my my neck eek from m the galowS l am here for right,
am here Tor vindication."
Suppose, said the court, ''you suspend your
speech until the evidence is in.'
Il will bring this matter before the jury"r
torted the prisoner. ''This is only an Incidental
speech"
THE PRISONER DENoUNCEs BROOKLYN WITNESS
AS LIAR.
Mr.. c. A. Bryan, Of Brooklyn, clerk OF the
Equitable Life Insurance Society OF New York,
testified that Guiteau came to him last February:
wanted to solicit risks for the society, and wanted
a loan ON account; the request being denied, the
prisoner showed him his speech; spoke OF his
pOntlcal aspiration, and talked very familiarity OF
Jim Blaine and other prominent men.
g never spoke OF Mr.. Blaine as Jim Blaine or
secretary Blaine in my life, interrupted the prs-
oner. The prisoner commenced to denounce the
witness as liar, in his usual vOluble way when
the court undertook to check him.
want to say now, once for ALL" said the pris-
oner, when witness Is called On this stand and
makes makes statements that know are false, say:
You are are mistaken, sir That is false, SIR You
are an Internal whelp, SIR That's as far as ever
60 That's equal to the barroOm language OF con-
signing man below"
The witness testified to lending the prisoner $40
on March 5th to come to Washington with. Sub
sequently. he sent the prisoner SIS for a balance
due from insurance commissions He had re-
ceved perfect avalanche OF letters from the prts
oner after the latter came to Washington, but
most %Sa OF 2rilenal them he chad had destroyed
money. -'
Two OF the letters were produced, and expressed
the prisoners high hopes for Office and asked for
money due. press copy OF letter from the wit
ness to the prisoner was read, implying that he
considered himself under no obligation to the pris-
oner.
Mr.. Corkhill asked the witness If he thought the
prisoner was trying to blackmail him, but the
question was not admitted
"Blackmail man that wasn't worth a dollar"
shouted the prisoner, and he burst into derisive
laugh.
Upon cross-examinatiOn the witness said his
opinion was that the prisoner ought to be hanged.
"And you came here to do your share towards
hanging him, suppose?n said Mr.: Scoville.
"Your share towards lying would be the proper
word 10 use here" 1nterjected the pri sOner.
The witness said that he had come here very
reluctantly and only in obedience to peremptOry
summons
GUITEAU INTRODUCES THE MAN WHO ibid THE
HERALD BUSINESS" ON HIM.
Henry N. Collier, lawyer, of New York city.
was next called to the stand. 81 remember YOU
sir" said the prisoner, "you are the man that did
that Herald business on me. remember you Sir !"
The witness described his interviews with Gut-
teau in 1873 in undertaking to recover from him
amounts which he had collected for Reese, Bro &
Co., Chicago firm. The prisoner claimed that he
was entitled to nifty per cent of the amount; that
he had got his half; when he got the other half he
would send it to the Chicago firm.
The prisoner, tnterrupting. said he warned the
witness If he began suit against him he would be
his (the prisoner'S) favor. "The transaction on
my part" added the prisoner, twas perfectly
straight, like all my business transactions"
Various letters were read, written by the pr1S-
oner, in regard to the transaction in question in
which the prisoner maintained his right to fifty
per cent of the claim, owing to his troubles in
making the collection. In one OF his letters Gut-
teau mentioned the fact that he was taking vaca-
t1on.
GUITEAU HIGH-ToNED LAWYER TAKING HIS
VACATION.
moo a hIph fonad laxvver thon said tho prjc
Oner. 81 was In intimate relations with the
judges OF the Supreme bench and others, and
didn't care to have my reputation blackened by
this little chap"
The witness related an interview with the pris-
oner, in which he threatened to have him dis
barred. 81 told him." said the witness, 81 thought
he was thief and ScOundreL"
.sYou never said at that time, y said the priS-
oner. 'lf you had / would have knocked you
down."
Mr.. Scoville rose to object to the testimony.
A Sick Juror Causes AN EARLY Adjourn.
At this point Judge Cox said: ~ am Informed
that one OF the jurors is too Ill to proceetl.n
Mr.. Henline, one OF the jurors, rising, said tina
Mr. Gates, the sick man, informed him that his mind
was In such condition that he could not weigh
no ,vtdpncQ