The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-07-08
GUITEAU REMOVED.
Ths Assassin of President Garfield Expiates
his Crime the scaffoId.

NAbhiNulON, ~ Va Sune ~.
On the second OF July last the telegraph
sent an electric shock throughout the world
with the news that President Garfield had
been shot down by an unknown tramp and
office-seeker in a Washington railway sta
ton. To-day the assassin was hanged for the
crime.
To guard against possible emergencies a
battery of artillery was detailed from the Ar
senal and mounted men patroled the streets
in the vicinity of the Jail to assist the police
In keeping the crowd at distance
Guiteau devoted yesterday TO prayer and
Revelations, denouncing the President and
the nation whenever his mind reverted to the
refused reprieve. Yet most of the time he
was in a state of religious exaitation. His
outbursts were spasmodic, and he ended the
most awful anathemas with an ediotic laugh,
declaring himself Goods man." and ready to
die. Mrs. Scoville visited the Jail at noon,
with her brother, John w. Guibeau. The
Clergyman, Dr. Hicks, and Reed had arrived
two hours before. Mrs. Scoville, N. r.. God
ding, DR.. Beard and Miss Chcvaiier waited
in the ante-room of the main han at
the building for some two hours. while Reed
and DR.. Hicks were in the cell with the pris-
oner. Reed drew up will, giving Guiteau's
body into the hands of Dr. Hicks, and trans
ferring his copyright of the Truth and the
RemOvaP to his clergyman also. Reed passed
back and forth between the waiting parties
outside with the documents, until they were
fixed to suit all concerned. John Guiteau and
Mrs Scoville gave their consent to this dispo-
sition OF the body. Finally, when all was
ready, john Guiteau, Mrs Scoville and little
Bertha were br ught I'm. As they entered,
the guard ordered Charles into his cell
and locked him in. Guiteau was enraged
beyond tontrol. He acted just as he had done
at the trial. He raised his arm, ciihche6 his
nst and fairly yelled May God Almighty
ed this several times, until his sister APP
pronched, when his excitement sud
denly subsidized. ....
Al six O'Clock last evening the condemned
man had q supper of broiled steak, toast, po-
tatoes and raspberres. He was then shaved
by Capt, Tonens At I Deputy Warden Rush
visited him. The latter found him quieter,
but he talked I'm his usual vein, and exhibit
Gu some nervousness as he stepped. About 8
O'Clock ne requested Dr.; MoWulisms to see
der, so he mi ht go off ON time. Or. Hicks
and John W. Guiteau called at 80. DIR. Hicks
admitted, but he declined to see John.
unique. The office of the jail was given up to
the large corps OF newspaper reporters,
squad of hem scribbling away ON everytable,
window sill and every protection that offered
ret for paper. Many newspaper reporters
remained all night.
The 81 enc outside was like that Of some
great gala occasion. Some enterprising col
Ored men had erected booths, from which
they dispensed lemonade, cakes and other
-
who began before nine O'Clock to assemble in
the road. Mounted messengers speeding to
and from the city, and carriages bringing Wis
over the road that winds through the wide
common to the city.
Toward morning Guiteau fell into q sound
sleep from sheer exhaustion. He rose few
minutes after five, and brealfasted heartily
at $50. When the cook took his breakfast
into the cell, Guiteau told him to bring
his dinner in at IL O'Clock promptly.
AT O'Clock DR.. Hicks saw the prisoner again,
when he made request to have bath and
ask Hicks to 20 out and see the scaffold.
Guiteau desired him to arrange with the war
den 10 have the trap sprung as soon after IL
O'Clock as posi- lie. He also expressed consid-
cradle anxiety lest some accident should occur,
and insisted that Hicks should see that the
'scaifoid and its appurtenances were all in
proper condition: Nfter G1iteau had dis
posed by him. which he calls simplicity, or
Religious Baby Talk" After reading il alone
the effort. Guitea1 then talked for some
time about his future. He remarked that his
heart was tender. Il don't think" he said,
ing, not because of any great weakness, for
principle in me is strong, but because am
nearer the other world. / hold to the idea
that God inS PRED me-"
At ten O'Clock Guiteau expressed a desire
TO take bath, and large tub was taken into
his cell At this hour no one but the death.
watch was With him. Guiteau nervously dis
robed and bathed. shortly before eleven
O'Clock he called for paper. and for
a
copy of what he terms his prayer on the scat
fold-"Father, now go to Thee and the Saw
Tor. have finished the work Thou gayest me
While DIR. Hicks was in the prisoners cell
Guiteau made some requests as to the execu-
ton, and then sent for the Jail boot-b black and
gave him his shoes to be shfned. His dinner
was afterward brought In and he ate with
much relish.
About IL 80 preparations began to be made
Tor the execution. At ii go detachment of
artillery was formed on the cast SIDE of the
rotunda and brought their mutkets to a
parade rest. At that time about $50 people
W. re in the rotunda. DIR. Hicks was with the
prisoner engaged in prayer. Guteau showed
great nervousness and appeared greatly
start ed when he heard the rattle of the
muskets on the stone floor. From that mo-
ment he appeared to be thoroughly overcome
wi h emotion He wept freely and seemed to
be in great anguish Alter the death war
rant was read by the Warden the prisoner
became more composed, and, turning away,
began to brush his hair.
The scene in the rotunda while waiting for
the prisoner was one long to be remembered.
The soldiers were drawn up on one side,
long line, of spectators facing them on the
other. About IL so the iron gates at the end
of the corridor clicked, then Warden Crocker
made his appearance and moment later the
familiar figure of Guiteau was seen. His face
was pallid and the muscles about his mouth
moved nervously. other than this there was
no sign of faltering. The procession moved
quickly to the scaffold and assembled the
somewhat steep steps with as much steadi-
ness as could be expected from man whose
arms were tightlv pnioned. At the
last step he. faltered tor a moment, but
was assisted by the officers who
walked upon either side. Upon reaching
the Platform Guiteau was placed Immediate
ly behind the drop, facing to the front OF the
scatold. lie looked up at the beam over his
head and quickly made a, survey of ala tue
dreaded paraphernalia. As soon as the crowd
had gained access Gen. Crooker waved to
them to uncover, and all heads were barred.
DIR. Hicks then offered brief prayer. daring
which Guiteau stood with bowed head. At
its conclusion, Dr. Hicks opened the Bible
and Guil eau in drm tones said, 81 viii read