Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-07-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Probably by the time this letter
reaches you, or at least before many
of your readers have seen it, the as
sassin Guiteau will have atoned, SO
far as his miserable life can atone,
the great crime of year ago. All
efforts in his behalf, of whatever
kind, have proved unavailing, and
he must go to settle the account
with the God he claims to serve. 1t
is not vengeance or even full retri-
button, but it is tardy justice accord :
ing to the law. Preparations for the
execution are all complete. Several
inventors of appliances for hanging
came here with hopes of having
their apparatus used, but in every
case they are turned away. The
fact is, that the scaffold now at the
Jail is sufficient for the purpose. A
man from Cleveland, Ohio, came to
the jail lately with what he called
an improved scaffold. His inven-
tion was examined as matter Of
accommodation to him, but was not
found to be possessed Of any superb
GRITTY to the ordinary scaffold. One
of the recommendations to the Cleve-
land scaffold lies in the fact that the
inventor was well known to Gen.
Garfield. The rope to be used has
been rugged up for the occasion. 1t
is a fine piece of MANILA, originally
seven eighths size, which has been
stretched until it is now of but
three-fourths size, and is forty-siX
feet long. It IS as soft and pliable
as it can be made. After having
been laid out, the ends were firmly
bound with Irvine and the knot was
tied. This is a model hangman'
knot, being as compact as possible.
1t has six turns in it, the end, after
passing through the loop at the top
of the wrap, having common knot
to keep it from slipping. When
completed, there were various COM
plimentary remarks made upon it,
and one of the soldiers looking on
remarked, "lsn't that daisy ?''
'See how slick she slips" and other
like expressions Of approval.
Letters have been pouring in upon
the warden of the jail for three
months asking admission to wit
ness the execution, and during the
last two weeks an average of nearly
one hundred such letters per day
have been received, from all parts of
the country. Warden Croker has
not attempted to answer these APP
plicati0ns, as to do SD would require
the services OF a clerk. Many Of the
writer's after waiting few days
telegraph. Local pressure for ad-
mission has also been very great,
some anxious applicants offering to
pay fabulous sumS-in some cases
S100-for a ticket. Numerous Of
fers have been made by persons ex-
ceedin1ly anxious for the glory of
pulling the trap, but no attention
has been paid to any of these Gen.
Croker intends that everything in
connection with the execution shall
be done in the regular way, and un-
der no circumstances Will he accept
any help or suggestion from out ,
siders. Only the judge, jury, Jail
officials, and few representatives
of the local press will be admitted.
All kinds of speculations are being
INDUCED in as to the probable con-
duct of Guiteau on the scatfold, but
AT the Jail they think there is no tel
ling what it Will be. Owing to his
well known cowardice it is thought
by some that he will be so affected
by fear that he will not be able to
walk to the scaffold; While others
expect that he will act about as he
did when in court, and that if allow
ed he will make speech as long as
he did during the trial. There is
no sympathy or sentimentality in
this community relative to Guiteau.
tEhe message he sent to the Rev. Mr..
Hicks after he was informed that
the President had declined to inter-
fere, illustrates his real character
his impudence, spitefulness and
meanness. SEQ and see Arthur and
shake your fist in his face. Tell him
| made him President by my inspi-
ration. and he must give me an un-
conditional pardon; and, # be does
not. God Almighty blast him for
eveT | tell You, Brother Hicks,