The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-01
HANGED!
GU|TEAU SUFFERS THE PEN
Atty OF HIS CRIME.
Tae Drop Falls at l2.45 and Al
most Instant Death EnSueS.
THE WRETCH OFFERS a
BLAsPHEMOUS PRAYER
ON THE SCAFFOLD.
Closing Scenes in the Life Of this
Extraordinary Criminal.
AN AUTOPSY NOW IN PROG
RESS.
The Assassin's Brain Said to be in a
Normal Condition.
Closing Scenes ia the Life Of this
Extraordinary Criminal.
AN AUTOPSY NOW IN PROG
RESS.
The Assassin's Brain Said to be ia a
Normal Condition.

WASHINGTON, June 30-Guiteau was very
restless most of the latter part of the night,
not sleeping more than twenty minutes at
time. Towards morning he fell into sounder
sleep from sheer exhaustion. He rose few
minutes after five and breakfasted heartily at
$50, eating steak, eggs, potatoes and other
dishes. When the cook took his breakfast into
the cell, Guiteau told him to bring his dinner
in at IL o'clock promptly.
Rev. DR.. Hicks, who remained at the jail all
night, was called into the prisoners cell soon
after he rose, and held a conversation on re-
ligious subjects with him.
At s o'clock Hicks saw the prisoner again,
when he made request to have bath, and
asked Hicks to go out and see the scatfold.
Guiteau desired him to arrange with the war
den to have the trap sprung as soon after II
O'Clock as possible He also expressed consld-
cradle anxiety lest some accident should occur,
and insisted that Hicks should see that 4he
scaffold and its appurtenances were in proper
condition.
After Guiteau had disposed of these matters
he read poem composed by himself, which he
calls "Simplicity, Religious Baby Talk.
After reading it aloud he attempted to sing it,
but broke down in the effort, which would
have been quite ridiculous if the occasion had
been less solemn. Guiteau then talked about
his future. He remarked that his heart was
tender. 81 don't Think" re said, 81 can go
through this ordeal with Jut weeping-not pe-
cause of any great weakness. for the principle
in ma is strony buu because 1 am nearer the
..hes y orid hold to the idea that God in
spired me-
Guiteau subsequently asked that in his
books all complimentary remarks about Presi-
dent Arthur and his administration be elimi-
mated. Then he presented Hicks with his
books. He told Hicks he wanted him to offer
the first prayer on the scaffold saying that he
{Guiteau) would then read his favorite Scrip
tural passage, the 10th chapter of John, and
offel prayers on his own account Then he IN
tended, he said, to read his poem, Simple
ity.' He desired to have the execution SO ar
ranged that just as he uttered the last word
the drop should be sprung.
John w. Guiteau arrived at the Jail at
o'clock, followed in few minutes by Warden
Crocker. These, with Rev Mr.. Hicks, had a
consultation as to the disposition of the body.
AT 9.15 o'clock the prisoner exercised for 10
minutes in the corridor. He walked very
brisky smakiDg it rather difficult for tbe
guards to keep pace with him.
AT 10 o'clock Guiteau desired 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 disrobed and
plunged into the bath. 1t was quite ap-
parent to tie guard that his object in taking
bath was simply to obtain some employment
which might distract his thoughts from con-
temptation of his approaching death. He
evinced Increased nervousness, and his restless
movements, distract manner and the marked
tremor in his tones when he attempted to
speak impressed the guards with belief that
he was rapidly weakening. The opinion was
expressed by some of the jail officials that he
would be unable TO control his emotions when
the dread moment arrived, and even if he did
not completely break down and make scene,
that he would be unable to carry out the pro-
gramme upon the seaffold (which he had an
nounced.
Shortly before II o'clock, Guiteau called for
paper, and for twenty minute busted himself
in making copy of what he terms his prayer
upoa the scaffold." EAs his hands will be pin
ioned, DIR. Hicks will hold the manuscript
while Guiteau reads. Now that he was en-
ployed, he appeared much calmer, and rapidly
completed his work, writing in large, round
and legible hand.