The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-07-06
HANGED.
GaT6eldS Murderer Dies an IgnC-
miniouS Death.
How the Wretch Met His Fate.
Scenes and Incidents.
Before the Fatal Day.

Although the behavior OF the assassin the
last three Or four days Of his life was generally
quiet and composed. it was marked BY occa-
sional outbursts Of the same fierce spirit which
possessed him, during his trial, to denounce by
turns everybody who took any part therein.
Three days before his execution he seemed for
short time to be moved by feeling Of un-
usually-violent hatred for ali who had been
concerned in his trial OF were to be instrumental
in carrying the sentence into effect. "Arthuf
will go to hell" he exclaimed, passionately;
"the Cabinet will so to hell; Judge Bradley
will 50 to he'll tho Supreme Court OF this
District will 60 to hell Gen. Crocker
will go to hell and" Cunning TO tho
death-watcher) "you, too, will go to
hell" With each repetition Of the word
"hell he brought his fist violently down upon
tho table to give to it additional emphasis. Az
Deputy Warden Ross passed the door Of his
cell, Guiteau said to him, III q snarling tone
II You have anything to do with my hanging,
you will be damned. You will have 10 take the
responsibility" During the greater part Of the
the time, however, tho prisoner seemed
tranquil When Rev. DIR. Hicks visited him
IN the evening, Gutcau was in an undcmon-
stratlve mood, and, in reply to the minister's
inquiries, said: My mind is free from all
worldly affairs, aud am ready to so. have
no enmty now against any ono. Tue matter 10
now between the Presidents conscience and
his God. hope that Friday there will be no
bungling, and that Gen. Croker will do his
work well. Prolongation Of my life now will
not contribute to my happiness, although it
would be for the good Of the American peo-
ple.' Alter some conversation upon religious
topics, the minister and the condemned knelt
together and prayed, the latter being appar-
entity mUre sincere and devout than ut any pre-
viOEs time. As DR.. Hicks was leaving the cell
Cuiteau said: = am counting the hours till I
shall b. released. have no fear OF punish-
ment hereafter, for feel the act OF which
have been convicted was Gods act, that was
Gods man, aud that / snail be welcomed to
paradise"
On Wednesday preceding the fatal day Or.
He's handed President Arthur long letter
from Mrs. Scovllle, III which she said !:
" Because Crazy man makes . crazy claim
that tho President is his friend, thereby throw
ing possible suspicion in the minds of the
ignorant few upon tue Presidents motives, shall
the honored President of these United States.
the chief magistrate OF great, free people,
even though raised 10 that place ~ result Of
terrible calamity brought about in the jnscrut-
able wisdom Of God Dy the hand OF Al lrres
ponslble lunatic refuse to stand boldly
mp for justice and mercy2 It is not so much my
brothers life for which plead ~ for justice.
AL men know he was and IL a lunatic. All men
knou, and none better than those who tried
him, that he did not have fair, unprcjudiced
trial. How could he, with all the pressure that
WAS brought to bear from every source upon
everybody? Even Judge Porter said imme-
diately after his wonderful cross-examinatlon
OF this most wonderful witness sThe man ID
% crazy rs . loon. l never examined such .
witness. I could not mix him up particle
bis deluslon il SO strong Ho said thus to u
+. Stone, editor aud publisher Of Chicago, who
will give his deposition or make affidavit to the
fact. May the Lord OF hosts strengthen the
President OF tie United States to do right aud
extend mercy when mercy Is justice"
The President declined to enter into corre-
spondencc with Mrs. Scoyille. John w. Gut
teau was admitted to the presence of the Presi-
dent, ON Wednesday, aud produced q letter
written by his father, March 3d. 1873, in which
the writer declares that he has been ready to
believe tho assassin 'capable OF almost any
folly. stupidity, or rascality,' aud that the only
possible excuse can render for him il that he
Is insane." The President listened patiently
TO the mans appeal ii behalf OF his brother,
but renamed firm in his determination not to
interfere with the execution
On Thursday morning he told his friends that
he had no idea that he would be hanged. A
colored woman called at the Jail to collect ID
cents which she said Guitcau owed her for
washing. Oae OF the jail attendants passed in
to the corridor, and communicated the message
to Gutcau, who handed out SO cents, with the
remark "All right. Please give her that, and
tell her will pay Lor tho balance Monday"
Thursday afternoon. Rev. DR.. Hicks and
Charles H. Reed were admitted to the con-
demned mans cell. John w. Guiteau, Mrs.
Scosille and her little daughter called about
the same time.
When told by the Warden that his sister
WISHED to see him, Guitean remarked that he
did not want any "crazy talk" but if
she could restrain herself he would be
her an affectionate, brotherly farewell. An
attendant came in and presented Guiteau with
large aud beautiful bouquet.
..Where did that come from?" asked the
prisoner.
'.From your sister" the guard replied.
Gulteau pressed it to his lips and wept bitter
II for a few minutes. Then ho suddenly ex-
claimed: "This does not become man who is
about to meet his God for doing Gods WILL"
This was the only exhibition Of tenderness he
had gwen.
At his request and dictation, Reed then drew
up his will as follows
WASHINGTON, June %, 1882
TO REV. WM. w. HlcKs-l, Charles Gaiteau, Of
the ci.. Of Washington, in the District Of Columbia,
now under sentence q DEATH which to be carried
into effect between tie hours Of II and o'clock on
the Both day of June, A. D. 1882 In the United States
jail in said District, do hereby give and grant YOU
my body after such execution; provided. however,
II shall not be used for any mercenary purpose. And
hereby, for good and sufficient consideration, give
deliver and transfer to said Hicks my book entitled
"The Truth and Removal, and the copyright there
OF, to 10 used by him in writing truthful history OF
my life ad execution and direct that such history
lie entitled sThe Life and Work of Charles j.
Gnitean." And hereby solemnsy proclaim and an
notinco to all the world that person persons
shail ever in any manner use my body for any mer.
cenary purpose Whatsoever And if ut aiy time
hereafter any person shall desire to honor
has n. t... .np,k
Whereon shall be inscribed these words:
Here lies the body Of Char.se ]. Guitean, patriot
and Christian. His soul il in glory"
CHARLES J. GulrEAV.
Witnesses: CHARLES II. REED,
JAMES WOODWARD
Reed also drew up the following paper at
Guiteau's II quest, which was presented to Gen
/ Crocker: