The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1882-07-10
Execution. Of Guiteau.


O'Clock thesloud stearn-whistle was
blown at the workhouse, which is
near the Jail. This whistle usually
blows at IL o'clock, and by 1t
G,6tcah was in the habit Of gauging
the time. The delay to-day was by
special arrangement, so that it's
startling summons might not come
before the officers were ready. Two
minutes later the iron gates at the
end Of the corridor clicked. Then
Warden Crocker made his appear
ance, and a moment later the fami-
liar figure Of Guiteau was seen. His
face was pallid, and the muscles
about the mouth moved nervously.
Other than this there were no signs
Of faltering. His arms were pinion-
ed behind him, and he held his head
erect. He gazed upon the crowd
without ainching. He wore black
suit of clothes, and instead of q
collar had o handkerchief thrown
loosely about his neck. Those who
expected sickening or distressing
scenes were disappointed. -
Guiteau assembled the somewhat
steep steps with as much steadiness
as could be expected from a man
whose hands were tightly pinioned.
AT the last step he fa!tered for d
moment, but was assisted by the
officers who walked dupon either side.
Upon reaching the platform Guiteau
was placed Immediately behind the
drop facing to the front of the
scaffold. There was a slight delay
while the spectators were pushing
and jostling through the door lead
ing from the rotunda to the CORRIDOR.
at the lower end Of which the gallows
was placed. Guitea1 meanwhile
gazed upon tile the crowd, looked
UP at the beam over his head and
quickly made survey Of all the
dread paraphel MALTA. }sN
The Rev. Mr.. Hicks gave Guiteau
his final benediction and farewell,
saying, "God the Father be with
you," and the attendants then
pinioned his legs and carefully ad-
justed the Moose about his neck.
Mr.. Strong placed the black cap
over his head, and as he did SO
Guiteau called out in loud tones,
!" Glory Gloryh Glory - In
stantly the trap was sprung, and the
body turned partly around. but
there was not the slightestpereeptible
motion of the limbs. When the
drop fell a yell was sent up by some
person inside Of the Jail. This was
re-echoed outside by the thousand
or more people, who hurrahed lusti-
ly. There was general onslaught
by the populace upon the Jail door,
which the officers were unable to
withstand, and hundreds of people
crowded into the Office. For at
least forty seconds after the drop
fell the body hung motionless.
Then there was slight motion of
the shoulders and legs, due to mus
cular contraction. Three minutes
after the drop fell the body was
lowered, to be examined by the ply
sicians present. There was a de-
cided action Of the heart for fully
fourteen minutes, and the pulse
futtered for ten minutes longer.
When the body had hung with the
feet just touching the ground for
over half an hour it was lowered into
a coffin which was waiting for it
under the soaffold.
Mrs. Scoville was denied admit
tance to the corridor. and remained
outside the jail during, the execution,
in a carriage. She was very much
excited when they refused to let her
in, but ct her brother Johns sugges-
'tion she left the door and, seated
herself In her carriage. She had
some flowers with her, which she
intended to place on Guiteau's
coffin. She was nervous and wept
when the shout which announced the
death Of her brother was sent by the
multitude. Mrs. ScoVille's floral