Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-02-02


"You know that's an absolute, des.
perate, wicked, devilish lie" finally
shouted Guiteau, stammering with rage
and nervousness.
After recess Guiteau announced that
he should not interrupt unless it was
warranted, but the harangue he seemed
about to start in upon was summariy
cut short by Judge Cox, who COM
manded him to keep silent. Judge
Porter resumed: "There is one man
between you and the grave of the
slaughtered president, who knows
whether his defense is a sham or
not"
Guiteau-"It is a true defense and
you know it,"
Judge Porter-"The truth will, how.
ever, burst forth and reach the con-
sciousness of every one. If from no
other source it will make its way from
the murderer himself" Judge Porter
then read from the letter of the pris-
Oner to his father, in which he said:
"For years was haunted with the
idea that | was cut out for some great
mission, but now | am convinced that
it was but devilish delusion, and de-
nounce my oyer-weening vanity and
egotism."
Guiteau-"Well, l have changed my
mind since then; that was ten years
since"
Later, reading from Guiteau's criti-
cism upon the religious and moral
growth of the past 5000 years, Judge
Porter said: "Could Judas IscariOt
himself have pronounced 4 more sim
cere judgment?'
Guiteau-"Judas IscariOt would have
employed you as his attorney,
YOU BIG LIAR YOU"
"IIis whole life" said Judge Porter,
twas in accord, and all the evidence
substahtiated the assumption that re-
venge and a morbid desire for notom,ty
actuated the prisoner" Judge Potter
passed to the discussion of the direct
issue of the case, whether or not the
prisoner was insane on July 2. "The
prisoner himself" he said, "does not
claim to be insane"
Guiteau-"I amt now, but was on
July 2, and for thirty days previous;
transitory mania, that's what | claim "
Replying to this claim Judge Porter
pointed out its absurdity, that Ike a
stroke of lightning all his insanity
should vanish in an instant, that it
should envelop him completely day af-
ter day for the purpose Of murder, tha
it still clung to him after the first shot
was fired, and only left him after he
saw his victim sinking helpless to the
ground, and then it instantly was
worked of and left him perfectly
sane man.
Guiteau-"Well, transitory mania
was the plea that SiCkles got of on,
and you were on the prosecution of
the case and got beaten on the very
same doctrine you are trying to fool
that jury on"
Judge Porter having concluded his
argument Judge Cox, at 3:l5 p. M,
delivered his charge to the jury and
they retired. After tie jury had been
out about twenty minutes, recess was
taken until half past . o'clock. Many
of the audience, who had virtually
been imprisoned since half past 9
o'clock in the morning, availed them
selves of the opportunity of obtaining
air and lunch. The prisoner at his re-
quest had been allowed soon after the
jury left the court room to retire to
the little room lie has occupied since
the trial began as waiting room dur
ing recess. Before leaving the court
room he evinced considerable nervous
ness, but on getting away to compare.
tive seclusion his natural cOmpOsure
and assurance soon returned. He
sent out for some apples, with which
he treated his attendants, meanwhile
chatting
FAMILIARITY AND GOOD EATUREDLY.
lie was asked what he thought the
jury would do, and replied: al think
they will acquit me or disagree, don't
you% Within ten minutes after re.
cess had been taken, the jury called to
the bailiff in waiting that they were
ready with their verdict. They were
informed that recess had been taken
and that Judge Cox had left the court
room, so they remained in their room
until the court reassembled. The ru-
MOI that the jury had agreed quickly
spread from one to another, and the
excited crowd surged back into the
court room and anxiously waited for
what all seemed to expect, verdict of
guilty. The musty antique room is
devoid of gas, and score or more of
candles which have been placed on the
desks of the judge, counsel and report
ers, impaired weird and fanciful, un.
natura! aspect in the grim old place.
The shadows thrown upon the dark
background of the walls seemed like
tlitting spectres to usher in the somber
procession of those who held in their
hands the destiny of human life. First
came the prisoner with quick, ner-
vous step, and as he seated himself
in the dock, perhaps for the last time,
the light Of solitary candle fell on his
face and disclosed more than usual
pallor. Not tremor of the limbs OF
movement of the muscles of the face
were observed, as he threw back his
head and fixed his gaze upon the door
through which the jury were to enter
Judge Cox soon afterward took his
seat, the crier called order, and the
jury, at 5:35 filed slowly into their
seats. Every sound was hushed save
the voice of the clerk as he propounded
to the foreman the usual inquiry
Clear and distinct came the reply. ave
have" "What is your verdict, guilty
or not guiltyp" With equal distinct
ness came the reply: "Guilty as in
diCted." The pent up feelings of th,
crowd found expression in uproar
ious demonstrations of applause anu
approval.
"Order order," shouted the bailiffs.
Scoville and counsel fer prosecution
were simultaneously upon their feet.
Scoville attempted to address the court,
but the district attorney shouted:
wait till we have the verdict complete
and in due form of law" Order was
at length restored and the clerk again
,II ho Az