New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-01
CAREER OF THE ASSASSIN.

CAREER OF THE ASSASSIN.
A STEADILY Downward CoURsH-TIiE ONEIDA
coMMuYITY-RELIGIoN AS A cLoAK-A SWIM
ding LAWYER - TIE ASSASSINATION - THE
TRIAL-END OF a DARK CAREER.
Some parting review is in order of the dark life
that yesterday brought to an end. for TINS
world by the hangman's rope. Luther w. Guiteau'
who died about two years ago. was Tor many years
resident almost universally esteemed and respected
OF Freeport ILL.,, and was long the cashier OF the
Second National Bank there. To him was born,
September s. 1871. q son, 10 whom was given the
name Of Charles Julius, now and ever hereafter to
be known as the assassin of Garfield.
OF the childhood of Charles J. Guteau nothing
unusual is recorded. that he was of ordinarily
good intelligence, dsinclined to work. and of a
pctuant and perverse disposition. His mother
died while he was yet in infancy, and as he grew
ND lie had frequent disputes with his. father and
other relatives lie acquired common-schooi
education at Frceport and was then sent by his
father to Ann Arbor. Mich. and provided with
means to prepare for entrance to the University OF
Michigan. Instead Of doing SO, however, he gave
free rein to q spirit OF eccentric speculation that
had begun to manifest itself in him, and entered
the notorious Oneida Community. The response
biliiy for this act he has since charged upon his
father, who, he has said, drove him to it. But
Gulteau do not confirm this story. On the con
trary they point to the conclusion that it was IN
direct disobedience and defiance of his fathers
will that the young man gave up his studies and
entered upon course that has had since no upward
turning.
uuilcau remained at the Community several
years. Although never a favorite with his fellows.
he imagined himself fttel to be their leader. and
aspired to usurp the place occupied by Noyes. as
head of the society. Failing in this, becoming dis
satisfied with the lack rather than the excess OF
license in social affairs. and being unable nnder
the rules crafty to tho full the desires OF his
gross nature he severed his connection with the
Community and became its bitter opponent. lie
wrote some letters. and threatened to write book,
exposing and dcnouucng its practices, but his iul-
limitations came to naught when the true character
of bis relations to the organization made public.
vAGABoND SHARPER.
After this the future assassin went to chicago
and began studying law in the Office OF his brother-
ip-law. At the same time he struck the attitude Of
religious devOtee and by extravaganza professions
of piety and vehement dcnunciationS of his recent
companions IN the Oneida Community he won the
svmpathy and confidence OF many church members.
He also made himself conspicuous at the rooms of
the Young Mems Christian Association, and there
met young woman, employed as librarian, VINO
afterward became his wife. The union was not n
bappy one; after a couple of years Of precarlous
support. he offered ler gross indignities and de-
serted her; and she, on the ground OF his notorious
immoralities readily obtained divorce.
From his admission to the bar in Chicago down
to the dsmning deed of last July his disreputable
but obscure history may be briefly told lie
roamed from Maine to California doing now and
then little law business, in which he generally
contrived to swndle his clients; lecturlng, on re-
hgious and philosophical subjects and with high
sounding pIetensiOns, to audiences OF a dozen OF
two persons few of whom endured to the end his
monotonous repetition of stale plattudes and BON
bastic flights of ignorant fancy; projecting mare
brained schemes of journalism which scarcely
even miracles could fulfil publishing pamphlets
in which he pretended to be Ueaven-inspired 10
reyoutlonize religion and society; and leaving
everywhere IN his wake unpaid bils-for board
washing printing advertising; in short, all the
expenses of his Improbable life. He was put INTO
Tudlow Street Jail for swinding and only released
nv the earnest efforts of his brothcrn-law, Mr.
Scoville When his rascally doings were made
public he started libel suits against the papers that
published them none of which suits, or course
ever came to trial He Joined prominent churches
in this city and elsewhere. and stayed in them only
to borrow money of the pastors and members
prominent traits of his character. egotism lazness
onstinocy and covardice manifested themselves
more and more strongly year by year. And then he
trained himself and prepared himself for the crown
ing iniquity Of his life.
A HUNGRY OFFICE-sHEKER.
During the political campaign of 1880 Gulteau
was a hanger-on about the rooms of the National
Republican Committee in this city. He pretended
TO be or familiar terms with many prominent men.
boasted of bis oratOrica Abilities and tried to get
an appointment as a campaign speaker. TWO OF
three attempts by HIM to speak on the issues OF the
time before small audiences and IN obscure places.
were dismal failures But i'll spite of failures and
rebus he kept Dragging Of his greatness, and of
tho Offices he expected to get from the Government.
and after the election he sent congratulatory dis
patch TO him who was few months later the VIC
tim of his murderous bullet Ii. February, 1881, lie
went 10 Washington and renewed in fresh fields,
his old tactics of swndlng boardinghouse keepers.
He haunted reading rooms, hotels, Offices every
Mace where he could bring himself in contact with
prominent men. He had a rambling, gaIbled Fro
ductJa which he called speech, printed IN tract
form which he was continually obtrudIng uron the
attention OF leading politicians. 1t was entitled,
9Garlieh against Hancock" aud was Il most name
comnostion He repeatedly wrote to President
Garfield making suggestions as to the policy OF the
Administration and asking to be appointed to the
Austrian Mission OF the Paris ConsulateGeneral' or
some other high Office, coupling the request with
inc statement that he expected to marry a
lady of wealth and rank. lie also wrote to and had
personal interviews with Secretary Blaine and other
officials on the subject. lie generally announced
himself as indorsed by Senator Logan or scme other
prominent man; which was, of course, utterly false
ASSASSINATION.
Finding himself repulsed and banled IN his quest
of Office and its spos, he "conceived," as ne said
in his autobiography " the idea of removing the