The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-02-18
THE ASSASSIN.
Mrs. Garfield Denies Having Inter-
vened to Save Guiteau.
At the Home of Guiteau's Sister-Fixed
Belief in His Insanity.


the residence of the lady, on Euclid avenue, tC
ascert-in what foundation, if any, there was fol
the report. Reaching her quiet home about
through an open door, / discovered the wife o
the martyred President surrounded by the young
er members of the family. She was reading aloud
her voice fell pleasantly upon the ear. Sending
in a card was ushered into the reception room
where Mrs. Garfield soon appeared She was at
tired in deep mourning. Her face, though bright
and cheering, bore furrowed traces OF the terrible
affliction through which she has passed. Ad
vancing she extended her hand with cordial
greeting An inquiry after her health elected
the response that she was feeling very well and
that all the members of her family, including
Grandmother Garfield, were at present In excel
lent physil al health.
"a rumor comes from Washington, madam
that you have written letter to President Arthur
aski1g him TO reprieve Guiteau. Is 1t true?' the
lady was asked.
Her face flushed with mingled expression OF
surprise and indignation, and she replied prompt
ly and with emphasis:
absurd! There is not word of truth in it, /
have not written the President at all upon the
subject"
"how do you suppose the rumor originated?'
81 can not say. There is no foundation what
ever for it, SO far as l an concerned. L have ex-
ed no wish or opinion in the matter and shall
not"
With this the recollections of her great sorrow
seemed to take possession of her heart and mind.
and she arose and walked to the mantel as If
gazing intently at me object there but evident
ly for the purpose OF hiding the emotions that
were plainly visible upon her face. Not wishing
to pulsue a subject evidently so painful To the
lady any further, the reporter, after moments
pause. apolOgiZed for his Intrusion and withdrew.
Mrs. Garfield had meanwhile regained that self
possession which SO marked her during the fear
ful ordeal OF a few months ago. There was no
expression of hate or bitterness in her looks or
words, but 1t was evident from her manner that
she will not attempt 10 interfere in any way
either TO save the neck or precipitate the execu-
ton Of the assassin If her husband.
g Al .lot
Chicago to the Herald concerning the assas-
sin says:
An unpretentious house. with a marble front,
known us No 532 West Monroe street, is the home
of the Scoville family. Mrs. Scoville, sister of
Guiteau who directs the household, is an attrac-
tive lady of ample proportions. pleasant face and
evidently genial temperament. Her complexion
is ruddy, the eyes deep blue and full of express
ion aud the voice clear and positive Despite
sundry rumors regarding her sanity not the
slightest trace of eccentricty erceptble in her
ordinary conversation. Indeed she appears a
calm woman, saddened and may be somewhat
soured by her experiences since July last. and
the fact that she is not raving maniac to- day is
a matter of surprise to many. The ruling belief
of Mrs. scoville's existence is that Guiteau was
insane wnen he fired the fatal shot at President
Garfield. and she stoutly asserts that the Jury
knew him to be insane She even goes so far as
TO declare that one of the Jurors. when about TO
take his seat during the trial, said to another
Juror:
cranks."
Did you look for an acqrittal?" asked Her.
aid representative of her to-day.
mo; not an acquIttal. The most we hoped for
was disagreement of the Jury, so that rew
trial could be had" was the response.
GUITEAU's COUNSEL.
"what do you think of Guiteau's counsel aside
Il prefer TO say nothing on that subject. We
tried TO get Benjamin +. Butler. of Massachu
setts but failed"
by foil
II don't know; but l shall never forget the
words of General Butler when he refused to act.
said ne, am gIieved indeed, 10 decline TO assist
any man whose life depends upon trial in
Court of Justice"
what do you think Mr.. Butler meant by
that?'
that understands the tricks of justice and trial
by Jury, that it is not a safe place for mans
life, even though he be Innocent"
do you mean that an innocent man will not
receive justice before a Jury?"
II mean that the Jury in the Guiteau case did
not render verdict according to their belief. but
public sentiment"
: .'Do you think the sentence of the law will be
carried out?"
81 do not"
Your experiences at Washington during the
trial were scarcely pleasant"
mo human tongue can tell the agony suffered.
1t was terrible all the time, and returned home
with my nerves shattered. / am still suffering,
but have hope of something intervening to pre-
vent the illegal murder OF Guiteau. He is crazy
now. was at the time of the shooting, and had
been all his life
Mrs. scovile gave signs OF fatigue and the re-
porter ceased questioning her.
DISLIKE OF REPORTERS.
Miss Fannie Scoville, oldest child of Mrs. SEQ
Vile. is the next prominent figure in the house
hold, and she exerts a great influence over her
mother. She is OF medium height, good form and
the picture of health. Her face is rather attract
i've, and is very expressive when engaged in con-
rxf rn1d anln fda
the eyes, but the writer had the OCCASION during
recent visits to the Scoville home, 70 understand
perfectly how bright and flashing they may be-
come when the young lady is ENGAGED liz her
favorite occupation of dismissing reporters
from the front door. Miss Fannie wears her hair
in the.prevailing bang" fashion and front looks
peculiar fom the fact that it is prematurely gray,
and the owner is probably the last person on
earth to change its color She is of a very posi-
tive temperament and hates reporters with all
the strength of her nature. Her conversation
is brilliant and witty full Of pert, forcible express
sions.
DILAGREEABLE HABIT OF REPORTERS.
"why do you dislike reporters? the writer
asked during a pleasant hour passed at the Sco-
II don't dislike reporters as gentlemen"
answered Miss Fannie, "but because of their bust
ness. Ever since the shooting this house has been
in state of seige with men of your profession.
Sometimes we have had three of them, all at once
standing guard at the front stoOp. They almost
worried my life out for time, but have got over
that"
"And you say you can tell a reporter as far as
you can see 0neY'
Your experience should convince you of that
fact without asking me-"
How can you tell me from other people?"
Il don know how do it, only do. They
come up here so quiet and nice and speak so soft
and politely and sympathiZe with you SO tender
ly, and all the time they are edging their way in
the front door. and once they get into the parlor
here it is useless to protest. They won't go out
no matter what | say. They'll Just take book
from the table and begin reading OF course they
act gentlemanly and treat me with all the polite
ness Of chevalier. and what am l TO- do? The
worst Oft is they go away and print lot of stuff
without particle of truth in it,"
''Is Misrepresentation "A rule then?'
"How nice of you to ask me thatl OF course,
you wouldn't do such thing. You wouldn't
misrepresent US, and say slammed the door in
your face. Oh. no; you couldn't be induced to
say any such thing, but wouldn't like to trust
you all the same"
"Oh, yes, they all assure me; so you may just
stop where you and save your nice things for
some one who will appreciate them and believe
them"
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
George Scoville is bright young man aged
about twenty years and very much OF a gentle
man. He is always ready to answer questions
and give such information as ne may possess very
hold, during Mr.. Sc0villes absence, is pretty
little girl of possibly ten years. The Oldest son.
Louis p. does not reside at home. He is young
lawyer and notary engaged In business on La,
sale street. On the Guiteau question he Is loyal
to the Government, aud denounces his uncle as q
fool who has brought disgrace and misery to the
family. He is In sympathy with his father, and
says Mr.. Scoyille has sacrificed much In behalf OF
the prisoner, simply to please Mrs: Scoville, who
is firm In her belief that Guiteau is insane and
says his father win receive no thanks for his eff