Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-07-13
GUITEAU REMOVED.
Tho Assassin of President Garfield Expiates
his Crime ON the ScaffoId.

his Crime ON the ScaffoId.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 80.
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
011ice-seeker in q Washington railway sta
ton. To-day the assassin was hanged for the
crime.
To guard against possible emergencies q
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 exaltation. His
outbursts were spasmodic, and he ended the
! most awful anathemas with an ediotic laugh,
declaring himself "God's man." and ready to
die. Mrs. Scoville visited the Jail at noon,
with her brother, John w. Guiteau. The
clergyman, DR.. Hicks. and Reed had arrived
two hours before. Mrs. Scoville, N R. God
ding, DR.. Beard and Miss Chcvalier waited
in the ante-room of the main hall 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 DIR. Hicks, and trans
ferring his copyright of the 'Truth and the
Removal 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 brought in. As they entered,
the guard ordered Charles into his cell
and locked him in. Guiteau was enraged
beyond control. He acted just as he had done
at he tr.p1 HA HI 10 al Iirr har 10
fist and fairly yelled May God Almighty
blast you and curse you foreyerp' He repeat
preached. when his excitement sud
denly subsidized.
six last the
by Capt. Tonens. At Z Deputy Warden Rush
visited him. The latter found him quieter.
but he talked in his usual vein, and exhibit
ed some nervousness as he stepped. About
o'clock ,at he requested DR.; MeWiliiams to see
der, so he might "go Off" on time. Or. Hicks
and John w. Guiteau called at 10 80 DR.. Hicks
was admitted, but he declined to see John.
unique. The office of the jail was given up to
the large n corps ct newspaper reporters
window sill and every projection that offered
rest for paper. Many newspaper reporters
The scene 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
refreshments to the weary and thirsty people
who began before nine O'Clock to assemble in
and from the city, and carriages bringing WIS.,
itors. kept continual cloud of dust lowering
over the road that winds through the wide
Toward morning Guiteau fell into sound
sleep from sheer exhaustion: He rose few
mnuses after FIVE, and breakfa ste heartily
into the cell, Guiteau told him to bring
his dinner in at II o'clock promptly.
when he made a request to have a bath and
asked Hicks to go out and see the scafOld.
Guiteau desired him to arrange with the war,
den to have the trap sprung as soon after -
O'Clock as possible. He also expressed consid-
cradle anxiety lest some accident should occur,
and insisted that Hicks should see that the
scatfold and its appurtenances were all in
proper condition. After Griteau had dis
ne
Religious Baby Talk" After reading it alone
he attempted to sing it, but broke down in
time about his future. He remarked that his
heart was tender. Il don't think" he said,
81 can go Though this ordeal without weep.
ing, not because of any great weakness, for
principle in me is strong, but because I am
nearer the other world. 1 hold to the idea
at ten o'clock Quite au expressed desire
to take bath, and a large tub was taken into
watch was with him. Guiteau nervously dis
robed and bathed. shortly before eleven
o'clock he called for. paper. and for
u
copy of what he terms his prayer on the scat
fold-"Father, now go to Thee and the Saw
to do, and am only too happy to go to Thee"
While DR.. Hicks was in the prisoners cell
Guiteau made some requests as to the execu-
ton, and then sent for the Jail boot black and
gave him his shoes to be shfned. His dinner
was afterward brought in and he ate with
much relish.
About II 80 preparations began to be made
for the execution. At II 80 detachment of
artillery was formed on the east side of the
rotunda and brought their mutkets to a
parade rest. At that time about $50 people
were in the rotunda. DR.. Hicks was with the
prisoner engaged in prayer. Guiteau showed
startled when he heard the rattle of the
muskets on the stone floor. From that mo-
with 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 soldiers were drawn up on one side,
long line of spectators facing them on the
other. About II 80 the iron gates at the end
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 falterfng. The procession moved
quickly to the scaffold and assembled the
arms were tightly pinioned: At the
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
scafold. He looked up at the beam over his
head and quickly made a survey Of all the
dreaded paraphernaiia. As soon as the crowd
had gained access Gen. Croker waved to
them to uncover, and all heads were barred
DIR. Hicks then offered a brief prayer, during
which Guiteau stood with bowed head. At
its conclusion, DR.. Hicks opened the Bible
and Guiteau in firm tones said 81 will read
q selection from the tenth chapter of Mat
thew, from the twenty eighth to the forty
first verse, inclusive" which he did in clear,
strong voice and with good information, show
ing little if any nervousness. DR.. Hicks then
produced the manuscript which was pre-
pared by the prisoner this morning and held
It before him while Guiteau read his
DYING PRAYER.
Father, now go to Thee and the Savior:
have finished the work Thou gavest me to do,
and am only too happy to go to Thee. The
world does not yet appreciate my mission,
but Thou knowest it; Thou knowest Thou
didst inspire Garfeld's removal, and only
good has come from it. This is the best evil
dence that the inspiration came from Thee,
and / have set it forth in my book that all
men may read and may know that Thou,
Father, dfdst inspire the act for which am
murdered. This Government and nation by