Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-01

ness, for principle In me is strong, but be-
cause 1 am nearer to the other world. l
hold to the idea that God inspired me-"
Guiteau subsequently asked that in his
books sll the complimentary remarks about
President Arthur and his administration be
eliminated. Then he presented to DR..
Hicks the books that have been the COM
panion of his lonely hours. He told DR..
Hicks that he wanted him to offer the first
prayer on the scsffold, saying that he
| (Guiteau) would then read his fsvorite
| scrip,ural passage, the 10.h chapter of
John, and offer prayer on his own account;
( then be intended, he said. to read his poem,
simplicity" He desired to have the exc
cution so arranged that just as he uttered
the last word the drop should be sprung.
GUITEAU's BROTHER AT THE JAIL.
John w. Guiteeu arrived at the Jail at
o'clock and was followed in a few minutes
by Wardsn Crocker. These two gentlemen,
with d. Hicks, were in consultation as to
the disposition of the body.
| TAKING HIS MORNING EXERCISE.
At 9l5 the prisoner came out into the
corridor aud exercised for fifteen minutes.
He walked very briskly, making It rather
difficult for his guards to keep pace with
him. Guiteau generally has taken his ex-
ercise In his shirt and drawers. This morn
| ing, however. he wore q pair Of dark pants
| and had a handkerchief tied loosely about
his neck
THE SCENE AT THE JAIL
The scene about the jail this morning is
unique. The office of the jail has been
given up completely to q large corps Of
newspaper reporters, and squad
of them are scribbling away
on every table and window sill,
and every projection that offers a rest for
psper. Many newspaper reporters remained
all night. The private Office OF the Warden
has been transformed temporarily into a
| telegraph Office, and before 9 O'Clock eight
instruments were clicking a merry accom-.
/ paniment to the gloomy preparations going
on inside the jail.
A STREAM OF VISITORS
At nine o'clock there was a constant
stream of persons coming into the jail. The
scene outside was like that Of some
| great gala occasion. Some enterprlsiug
colored men had erected booths,
from which they dispersed lemonade, cakes
and other refreshments to the weary and
thirsty people, who began before 9 o'clock
to assemble ia the road in front of the JAIL
Mounted messengers speeding to and
from the city and carriages bringing
visitors to the jail, kept up
\ continual clouds Of dust, covering
over the road that winds through the wide
! common that lies between the fail and the
city. At 1910 O'Clock GuItesu tx pressed a
desire to take bath, and large tub was
taken into his cell. At this hour no one
save the 'death watch" was with him.
THE PRISONER TAKES A BATH.
Guiteau nervously disrobed and plunged
into the bath. It was quite apparent to the
guard, who was closely watching his every
movement, that his object in asking for a
bath was simply to obtain some employment
1 which might distract his thoughts from
the dread contemplation Of his approaching
| death. He evinced Increased nervousness,
aud his uncertain movements, ,distrait manner
aud marked tremor In bis tones when he
aGreunpseu % sgeaA, impress d the guard
with the belief that he was rapidly weaken
| ing.
| The opinion Is expressed by scme Of the
jail officials that he will be unable to control
his emotions when the dread moment ar
| rves, and even IL he does not completely
| break down, and make a scene, that he will
| be unable, from nervous excitement, to
carry out the programme upon the scaffold
which he has announced.
THE RoTUNDA THROWN OPEN.
1O:45 M-The rotunda was thrown open
| at ten O'Clock, and the newspaper men
| focked in. There were few others there
except the jail guards and q squad Of artil-
| lerymen. Elrly this morning the prisoners
in the part of the j all overlooking the court
where the gAllows stands were all removed
to other quarters Seventy policemen are
posted along the roadway outside the build
| ing. In addition to the jail guard, all
the available men OF Battery c, Uni
ted States Artillery, are on duty
inside the jail. Shortly before IL o'clock
Guiteau called for paper, and for twenty
minutes engaged in copying what he calls
"his PRAYER upon the scalfold." At IL
O'Clock Mrs. scoville arrived and besought
admission. She was laboring under great
excitement.
john W. Guiteau went out to see her, and
persuaded her to make no further attempt
| to gain admission.
ll:35 A. M.-While Dr. Hicks was In the
cell at IL O'Clock, Guitesu made some re-
| quests as to the execution, and having
made copies OF his "Last Prayer" q
poem and other writings. tore up the origl-
nal. He had his boots blacked and as the
| doctor was leaving the cell his dinner was
brought in, and Guiteau ate it with much
relish.
! When Dr.. Hicks came out Of the cell he
said the prisoner had not the slightest fear.
1--WE have had a pleasant religious talk.
He feels now that his preparation is finish
ed, and he is ready for the last formality.
He commits himself to God with
| the utmost conf ience. think
he will show some emotion because
the nervous strain is so great"
THE DEATH WARRANT READ TO GUITEAU.
BULLETIN, 1905 P. M-At five minutes
past IL O'Clock General Crocker read the
death warrant to the prisoner In his cell.
The only persons present were General
Crocker, Deputy Warden Rush and Rev.
| Dr. TIICkss
THE PROCESSION STARTS FOR THE GALLows.
Shortly before twelve o'clock Guiteau
seemed to break down completely and burst
into tears and sobbed hysterically. After
the death warrant was read to the prisoner
by the Warden he became much more
composed, and turning away, began to
brush his hair with his old appearance OF
staggering sang JrOid. AT 1925 a loud
steam whistle was blown at q workhouse
which was near the jail. This whistle
usually blows at 12 o'clock, by which
Guiteau was In the habit OF thus
reckoning his time. The delay to-day was
by special arrangement, so that Its startling
summons might not come before the officers