The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-12-08
CHARLES ]. GU1TEAU.
The Progress of His Trial In the Criminal
Court of the District OF olumbia-Testi.
rnony OF ,he Defense The Insanity Plea

The Progress of His Trial In the Cr1m1nal
Court Of the District OF Columbia-Testt.
naony OF the Defense-The Insanity Flea
Mrs. Scoville, the prisoners sister, resumed
her testimony on the twelfth day, stating that
when he visited her in 1878 she considered him
insane and fit subject for q lunatic asylum.
George D. Burrows, of Chicago, who boarded
with Mrs Scoville in 1878, testified that at the
time of Guiteaus visit he considered him either
a fool or crazy. G. s. Jocelyn, of the Oneida
Community, in his testimony, thought Gui-
teau's marked characteristic was intense egot-
ism. John Wilson Guiteau, the prisoners
brother, was the next to take the stand. He
and his brother had not been on good terms
for years. He always thought him sane un Il
some time in October, when he received let
ter from HIM, and had believed him responsible.
He still believed him responsible, but not sane
responsible, because he was Of opinion that at
some period of the prisoners life he had yolun-
tariiy surrendered himself to evil practices
rather than good. The prisoner WINGED under
this statement, and then interrupted the wit
ness by saying that he had always considered
him cranked. "We- have not been on good
terms for fifteen years" the prisoner added.
The witness said he had never considered his
father insane. The witness then testified that
he believed his brother possessed Of the devil.
When asked to explain he went into considera-
DIE detail TO 80, anu WOunQ Will Luo
statement, "That all evil, all disease,
all deformity, all infirmity, was the
result of sin, or admission of those
who had free will that they were under
the dominion Of Satan or the evil spirit, or Of
the evil nature. That was my fathers theologi-
cal view. It was my brothers and is mine, and
so believed at some time in my brothers life,
as he had free will to choose good or evil, he
must have, through his evil, through his will
fulness, through his stubbornness, through his
perversity OF nature, allowed Satan to gain
such control over HIM that he was under the
power Of Satan. That idea is one on which I
based my opinion that my brother was morally
responsible to God, but perhaps not responsible
according to human or legal responsibility |;
being In one sense insane. Said the prisoner,
Witness - "Perhaps I have" Prisoner =
"That's very poor theology and q
very poor position for you to take"
The witness testified that when the prisoner
was small he never could keep still. His father
one time offered him ten cents to remain quiet
few moments, and he didn't get the money.
Sarah Parker, of Chicago, cousin to the pris-
oner, testified that in 1875 she considered the
prisoner Insane. He used to follow her little
daughter about, and proposed to educate her
afraid of him, and complained that he followed
her about in the streets. Fernando Jones, of
Chicago, testified to having boarded at the same
house with Guiteau in 1877, and considered
prisoner was then placed on the stand to
identify some letters written by him to mem:
bers of the family between the years 1857 and
1858. He handled the letters, about twenty in
number, commenting on the handwriting, after
which Court adjourned.
On the thirteenth day Of his trial Guiteau
was placed on the witness stand, and his clear
ness and accuracy of memory was surprise to
everybody. Some of the shrewdest attorneys
at the Washington bar expressed the opinion
that tho defense gave their case away by per-
mitting the prisoner to go upon the stand
to be treated as sane person. The
clearness and promptness with which he went
over his former life impressed the audience
with the strength of his mehtal powers. Those
who sat near him could not but observe that
through the long reading Of his letters he kept
their character and bearing on the case closely
in mind, although they began nearly quarter
of q century ago. He pretended to be reading
pamphlet while Mr.. Scoville read the letters,
but his occasional remarks showed his close at
tention to the letters and an appreciation OF
their points. He is quicker than his lawyers and
has as clear an idea of his case as they have.
When notified in the morning that he would
have to take the stand he objected upon the
ground that he did not feel well enough to
stand across s-examination. He wouldn't mind
few direct questions, but he was not prepared
to scientifically review his case as he should
want to ON cross examination. As the read
ing of the letters progressed Guiteau
occasionally commented upon them or sug-
Eested the proper word when Scoville hest.
tated. While one dated from the Oneids
Community was being read, Guiteau said
"Well, you can see was badly cranked about
| that time" At another time Scoville hesitated
and said, "Here is word I can not make
out" "Civilization is the word" prompted
| Guiteau. .You can see how badly mixed up
| got in that miserable community. 1t makes
me mad every time think of It. wish those
| eltters were out of existence" Scoville reaC
from one Of the letters, "I am in with Jesui
| Christ and company, and / am working fol
them" "That was my sentiment" said Guiteau
"and that has been my position ever since.
| Guiteau took every opportunity to denounc,
| the Oneida Community, and his father
| theories. He repeatedly stated his father wa
| Q crank. When asked what he meant by the
word crank, he said that was a short way O.
| putting it when man was badly crazed. HI
reviewed his complete life In straightforward
concise, and comprehensive way. While thu
prisoner was giving his testimony he wa
watched most attentively by all the medica
experts present, and with great curiosity b,
every person in the crowded court room.
times he showed his exhaustion by 1owerin,
his voice, and it was in consequence of one o
those signs that some ten minutes before tn
usual time of adjournment the Court at tn
instance of the District Attorney, adjourned.
| A TuE assassin's trial nroceeds the insanit,