The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-11-29
Guiteau to-day Occupies the
Stand.
he Spends his time in his
Usual Manner.
General News from Home
and Abroad.
GUITEAU TESTEFTES.

ing of the court, Guiteau was called to the
witness stand, and took his place, closely
watched and guarded by the police and
court officers. He was asked by Scoville
to give some incidents from his earliest
recollections of his mother
DIALOGUE.
Guiteau replied: cam to be put on as
a regular witness to-day, or only to iden-
tify some letters? supposed the latter. I
am not feeling at all well to-day, but shall
be better in week or So"
Scoville-:I had arranged to examine
you to-day. and there are no other wit
nesses present"
Guiteau-'FYou should have had your
witnesses on hand. object to going on the
stand when am not feeling well to be
subjected to cross examination by counsel
for the prosecution. have got
GOOD DEAL TO SAY
l want to go over the whole
business carefully and scientifically ESQ to
speak) and want to be in good talking
condition.
scoville--'I shall only ask you some
simple questions
Guiteau-"I am willing to answer pro-
vided the prosecution viii not take advan
tage of my presence on the stand to force
mesto seal my entire defense"
Judge Porter ofathe prosecution, sug
gested that the papers and letters which
were put in evidence and identified yester
day, should be read, as they must neces-
sarily be at some stage of the trial. SEQ
vile explained. he had endeavored to ar
range for an Introduction of his evidence
according to his idea of propriety and logi-
cal fitness. He knew the prisoner was not
feeling well to-day, and he had expected
he would become tired or exhausted, when
he had proposed to ask the indulgence OF
the court and postpone further examina-
ton He did desire, however, to ask the
prisoner few questions to-day.
II am perfectly willing to do that, but
l don't want the prosecution
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.
Of my presence here to cross examine me
to-day"
Scovil1e "The Court will relieve you if
you feel ill.,
Guiteau. with that understanding
win go on
Col Corkhill. I'VE can't submit to any
such arrangement as that"
Scoville. 81 don't ask your consent, 1
shall appeal to the Court"
Judge Cox stated that if the witness
went upon the stand to testify he must
submit to be cross examined, and if his ex-
animation as a witness was begun it could
not be suspended except by the consent of
the counsel on the other side.
Guiteau (nodding his head approvingly)
That's the rule Judge, as I understand
it."
After some further discussion Guiteau
was removed from the stand, and Scoville
proceeded to read the letters. They were
all written by Guiteau to his father and
other members of his family, and covered
a period of fifteen or twenty years.
AS the reading of the letters progressed
Guiteau occasionally commented upon
them or suggested proper word when
Scoville hesitated While one dated from
Oneida Community was being read, Gui-
teau said: ''Wen you can see was badly
cranked about that time" At another
time Scoville hesitated and saying, "here
Civilization is the word" prompted
Guiteau" You can see how
badly mixed up 1 got in that
miserable community, it makes me mad
every time l think of it. I wish these let
tiers were out of existence"
Scoville read from one of the letters, 81
am in with Jesus Christ and company and
am working for them"
THAT was my sentiment, said Guiteau,
and that has been my position ever
since'
In another letter sddresSed to his
Iather, the prisoner had requested
two or three hundred dollars.
GuIteau commented upon this let
@r' saying: Father didn't send money
ed" %
"'ner letter was read, in which the
"il'ef criticized severely the Oneida Com
niuliity' and referred to circular enclosed,
"hlch also denounced the Community and
their practices.
Nulteau exclaimed: Several of the New
Aofk dallies took up my circular and de-
Noteo editorial comments to it. That was
little bit of revenge 1 had for living in
'hat miserable place. I am glad to know
they are broken up now I was a yTrtuous
man all the time was there, though.
want that understood"
Inc reading of letters was finished a,
noon and Guiteau
RESUMED THE WITNESS sTAsD.
ocovlle began to question him relative
!" ms early life Guiteau responded
promptly intelligently and with perfec,
cooiness Tor some minutes, apparently en-
!oyng the situation and his freedom te
'aik' Abiding to his fathers second mar