Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-07-07
THE END or GUITEAU.
Executed at Vva.hlngton, juno 40, 1ss


ON THE GALLows-HIs nLAsPHEMoUs PRAYER
HIS CHANT-HE is SWUNG oFF-TuE AU-
ToPsY-THE BURIAL.
At 1926 a loud steam whistle was blown at
the workhouse, which was near the Jail This
whistle usually blows at 12 o'clock, and by IL
Guiteau was in the habit of telling his time.
The delay Friday was by special arrangement,
so that its startling summons might not come
before the officers were ready.
Two minutes later the iron gates at the end
OF the corridor clicked. The Warden Orocker
made his appearance, and O moment later the
familiar figure of Guiteau was seen His face
was pallid and the muscles about his mouth
moved nervously. Other than this there were
no signs of faltering. The procession moved
quickly to the scaffold, and Guiteau ascended
the twelve somewhat steep steps With as much
steadiness as could be expected from a man
whose arms were tightly pinioned behind him.
At the last step he faltered for n moment, but
was assisted by the two officers who walked
one upon each side.
Upon reaching the platform Guiteau was
placed Immediately behind the drop, facing to
the front of the scaffold. Captain Coleman
stood upon his right, Mr.. Robert Strong upon
his left and Mr.. Woodward directly behind
him. Mr.. Jones took position on the north
side, near the upright Of the beam. General
Orocker (the Warden) took his position at the
southeast corner of the structure. There was
q slight delay while the crowd of twenty. FIVE
or more spectators we're pushing and jostling
through the door leading from the rotunda TO
the corridor, at the lower end Of which the
gallows was placed.
Guiteau, meanwhile gazed upon the crowd,
looked up at the beam over his head and
quickly made survey of all the dread para
phernalia. As soon as the crowd had gained
access General Crooker waved TO them to un-
cover
DIR. Hicks offered Rn invocation. During
the prayer Guiteau stood With bowed head.
At its conclusion DIR. Hicks opened the Bible,
and Guiteau in firm tones said ~ will read
a selection from the 10th chapter Of Matthew,
from the 2Sth TO the 4lst Veree inclusive" ."
He then read in a clear, strong voice and with
good intonation, showing little If any nervous.
ness. DIR. Hicks then produced the manu-
script which was prepared by the prisoner
this morning, and held II before him while
Guiteau read. While DIR. Hicks was arrang-
ing the manuscript Guiteau exhibited slight
nervousness, and moved several times from
one foot to the other. He soon recovered his
composure, looked over the sea of upturned
faces and said: 81 am now going to read to
you my last dying prayer" He then read in
u loud tone and with distinct and deliberate
emphasis, the following:
MY ugluk prayer on tue EAlluWhs HatutEf luH 1 go
to Thee and the Saviour. l have finished the work
Thou gayest me TO do, aud only too happy TO 60
TO Thee. The world does not yet appreciate my mis-
sion, but Thou knowest It. Thou knowest Thou ddst
inspire Garhelds removal, and only good has come
from it, This is the best evidence that the inspiration
came from Thee, aud have SGT II forth in my book,
that all men may read aud know that Thou Father,
ddst inspire the act for which am now murdered.
This Government and nation by this act know will
incur Thy eternal enmity, did the Jews by killing
Thy man, my Saviour. The retributiOn In that
came quick and sharp; and know Thy divine law OF
this my
In the way. The diaboeal spirit Of this nation,
| It's Government and its newspapers toward me will
justify Thee In cursiug them, and know that Thy
divine law OF retrbution is nexorable. l therefore
predict that this nation will go down in blood and that
| my murderers from the Executive to the hangman,
| will go to hell Thy laws are ineHorable oh, Thou
Supreme Judge! Woe unto the men that violate Thy
laws. only weeping and gnAshing OF teeth awaits
them. The American press has a hrge bill TO settle
with the Righteous Father for their vindicveness in
this matter. Nothing but blood will satisfy them and
now my blood be on them and this nation and its of
hcials. Arthur, the President is coward and in
CRATE. His ingratitude to the man that made him,
aud saved his party and land from overthrow has
parallel in history; but Thou Righteous Father will
Judge him Father, Thou knowest me, but the world
hath not known me, and now go 70 Thee and the
| being. Farewell, ye men Of earth.
At several points, Guiteau half paused and
| endeavored to impart an increased emphasis
to his words by peculiar facial expression so
often observed during the trial when he was
angered at something which was said or DONE
This was peculiarly noticeable when he
alluded to President Arthur, mud when he
declared that this nation would "go down in
blood"
When he had finished reading his prayer he
| again said, still with a firm voice II am
now going to read some verses which are in
tended to indicate my feelings at the moment
| of leaving this world. II set to music they
may be rendered effective. The idea is that
of a child, babbling to his mamma and his
papa. wrote it this morning, about 10
o'clock" He then commenced 70 chant these
verses, in a sad doleful style.
am going to the Lordy.
1 am so glad.
/ am going to the Lordy.
l am 80 glad.
lam going to the Lordy
Glory halleujah Glory haeluishI
| am going to the Lordy.
love the Lord with ali my soul.
| Glory hAlleluJah
And that is the reason am going to the Lord
Glory halleluJahl Glory hallelujahi
am going to the Lord.
Here Guiteau's voice failed, and he bowed
his head and broke into sobs. But he rallied
little, and went on with his chant.
saved my party and my land.
| Glory hallelujakl
But they have murdered me for it,
And tass Is the reason am gpiSg 70 the LOrdy
| am going to the Lordy.
Then again his feelings overcame him, and
/ no lohueu nlh uehu on lue buOuluer OF MT.
Hicks and sobbed pitifully. Still he went on
wonder what will do
| When get to the LordyI
| guess that 1 will weep no more
| When get to the Lordy.
| Glory hallelujahi
| Here there was another interruption caus-
| ed by sobs and emotion which he was unable
to repress. He wept bitterly, and with quiv-
ering lips and mournful tones vent on to fin.
ish his ditty
| wonder what VIII see
When get to the Lordy2
| expect to see most splendid things
Beyond all earthly conception,
| When am with the Lordy.
| Glory hallelujahl
[Raising his voice to tho highest pitch thai
he could command
Glory hslleujahl
| am with the Lord.
This closed the chant, and then Rev. Mr.
Hicks gave Guiteau his final benediction and
farewell, saying; God the Father be with
thee and give thee peace evermorew
The attendants then pinioned his legs, plao
ed the moose over his head and carefully ad-
justed 1t about his neck. Mr.. Strong placed
the black cap over his head, and as he did &C
Guiteau called out in loud tones "Glory
Glory Gloryl"
Instantly the spring was touched, the droI
fell and Guiteau swung in the air. The body
turned partly around, but there was not the
slightest perceptible movement of the limbs
or any evidence of conscious effort to move
| them.
When tho drop fell, at 1910, yell wal
sent up by some persons inside the jail, which
was answered outside by the voices of a thou
sand or more people, who hurrahed Justify
There was a general onslaught by the popu
lace upon the door, which was so powerful
that the officers we're unable to Withstand it.
Hundreds crowded into the office, and ther,
was a terrible crush at the doors.
For at least 40 seconds after tine drop fell
the body hung motionless then there was
slight motion of the shoulders and legs, dut