Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1882-07-04
EXECUTION OF GUITEAU.

1900
last Friday in the city Jail at Washington, at
1910 P. NJ, in the presence of about $50
spectators. Below we append briefaccount
of the execution:
His dinner consisted of pound of broiled
steak, dish of fried potatoes, four slices of
toast and a quart of coffee, of which yery
little was left when he flushed eating.
DIR. Hicks when he came out of the cell
said to an Associated Press reporter that the
prisoner had not the slightest fear. "We
have had pleasant religious talk. He feels
now that his preparation is finished and he is
ready for the last formality. He commits
himself to God with tho utmost confidence.
l think he will show some emotion because
the nervous strain is SO great" Nobody,
DR.. Hicks said, had seen the prisoner at that
time except himself and the Jail officers.
At III SO o'clock the detachment of artil-
lery was formed on the east side of the 70
tunda and brought their muskets to parade
rest DR.. Hicks was with the prisoner en-
gagged in prayer. Guiteau showed great ner>'
vousness, and appeared greatly startled when
he heard the rattle of the muskets on the
stone floor of the rotunda. From that mo-
ment Guiteau appeared to be thoroughly
overcome with emotion. He wept freely, and
seemed to be in grea. anguish. After the
death-warrant was read to tho prisoner by
the warden he became much composed, and
turning away, began to brush his hair with
his old appearance of staggering sang froid.
at 1925 loud steam whistle was blown
at the orkhouse, which is near the jail. This
whistle usually blows at IL o'clock, and by
it Guiteau was in the habit of telling the
time. The delay to>day was by special ar
rangement, 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 Croker made his appear
ance, and moment later the familiar figure
of Guiteau was seen. His face was psllid,
and the muscles about bis mouth moved ner.
vously +; other than this there were no signs
of fsltering. The procession moved quickly
to the scaffold, and Guiteau assembled the
twelve somewhat steep steps with as much
steadiness as could be expected from man
whose arms were tightly pinioned behind
him.
At the last stop he faltered for a moment, but
was assisted by the two officers who walked ono
upon either side; Upon roaehing the platform
was slight delay while the crowd of $50 or m ore
the door leading from tie rotunSa to The corT
dor, at the lower end of which the gallows was
crowd, looked up at the beam over his head, an
quickly made a survey of all the dread par
cess Gen. Croker waved to them to uncover,
and all beads were barred, whilst DR.. Hicks made
an invocation.
During the prayer Guteau stood with bowed
head. At its conclusion DR.. Hicks opened the
Bible. and Guiteau. in firm tones. said II will
read selection from the 10th chapter of Mat
thew. from the 2sth to the st verse. inclusive"
He then read in clear, strong voice, and with
good 1ntonatlon' showing little If any nervous
DR.. Hicks then produced tho manuscript, which
was prapar ed by the prisoner this morning and
held it before him while Guiteau read While
Dr. Hic ks was arranging the manuscript Gut
teau exhibited a slight nervousness. and moved
several times from one foot to the other. He
soon recovered his composure, looked over tho
sea of upturncd faces. and said: IT am nov go
then read in a loud tone. and with distinct and
deliberate emphasis. the following prayer:
Guiteau's prayer as he has prepared to read it !:
NY dying prayer on the gallows:
have the WORK T5ou aavest me to do
no World does not yet appreciate my mission. but
Thou knowcst Thou didst inspire Ga1fie,d,s
removal, and only good has come from it, This
is the best evidence that the inspiration came
from Thee, and have set it forth i'll my book
that all men may read and know that Thou
murdered.
This Ggoyernmsnt and nation by this act I
jews by killing Thy man, my savionr as o'o Inc
T thai quick
ton will strike this nation and my murderers
The diabelical spirit of this nation, its gov
ernment and its newspapers toward me will
Justify Thee in cursng them, and know that
Thy divine law of rctribution is inexorable. I
in blood and that my marderers from tho exec
utive to the hangmen will go to hell Thy laws
unto thee, men that violate Thy laws Only
weeping and crashing of teeth awaits them.
1a pTsss ms ar ia t b to settle
ness in this matter. Nothing but blood will
satisfy them and now nv blood be on them and
this nation and its officials, Arthur, the Pres
ideat. coward and an migrate. His in
gratitude to the man that made him and saved
his party and land Fl ON overthrow. has par
all9l in history. but Thou, righteous Father,
"Father. Thou knowest mo. but the world
hath not known me and now 60 to Thee and
the Saviour without tho slightest ilI-w i'll to-
earth"
When he had finished reading his prayer he
again surveyed the crowd, and said, still with a
hrm voice II am now going to road some verses
which are intended to indicate my feelings at
the moment of leaving this world. If set to mu-
that of a child babbling his ma mma and his
he thcn ohan ted the following:
Il am going to the Lordy;
l am SO glad.
lam going to tho Lordy;
am so glad.
am going to the Lerdy.
Glory hallelujah. glory hallelujah.
am going to the Lordy.
Il leye the Lordy. with all my soul.
Glory, hallelujah.
And that is the reason
am going to the Lord.
Glory halleluiah glory halleujah,
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 halelujah
But they have murdered IN Q for IT,
And that is the reason ON going TO the
Lordy.
GLORY hallelujah. glory hallelujah.