The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-07-13
GuitoauiSm,

1t was hoped that with the execution OF the
assassin, the last chapter in the sad tragedy
would be finished, and the nation be permit
ted to forget all connected with the foul deed
save the memory of the great Chief Magistrate
whose noble lite had been sacrificed. The
miserable murderer craving, above all else
notoriety, WAS accorded the full measure OF
his desire during the days which succeeded
his infamous act. Every expression OF his
coarse countenance was photographed by the
pen and flashed at lightning speed to the
farthcst limits of the land. Every sentence
of his silly and blasphemous speech was treas
ured up and sent to meet the eye Of millions
of readers the morning after its utterance.-
Whatever he said and whatever he did was
the subject of comment among thousands, un-
til the daily dose became nauseating. 1t was
with feeling of relief that the people OF all
sections looked forward to the 3Oth day of
June, and they breathed more freely when the
sentence of the law was carried out in the
execution of Guiteau There were repulsive
features about that last scene however, which
could not be easily forgotten. The spectacle of
minister of the gospel being party to the
blasphemies which the assassin uttered with
his last breath was more than revolving
Sugar-coat it as you will, there is neither
apology nor excuse for Mr.. Hicks conduct
Immediately preceding and at the execution.
He revised what the assassin proclaimed as
his last prayer, aud if the devil himself had
framed it, it could not have been made more
UNANIMOUSLY sacriigious. 1t is useless to say
that Mr.. Hicks could not have prevented the
utterance of this sO-called prayer. With a
full knowledge of what it would he, he could
have refused to stand by whilst the viest OF
Williams likcned himself to the sinless One
The assumed or even real insanity cannot be
pleaded. Guiteau was sane enough to under
stand and appreciate every word that he ut
tered. MIR. Hicks was able to exert con-
trolling influence over him in everything else,
and in standing by whilst the wretched bias
pheniy was being proclaimed, he placed him.
self in the attitude Of bringing discredit on
the cloth he wore Indeed, Mr. Hicks seems
to have been somewhat affected by the con-
tagion of Guiteauism. He drew tor while
the gaze of the world, and the notoriety was
too much for him. Not satisfied with the ex
hibition on the scaffold, he thrusts himself
forward as the executor of the murderer, and
himself into public notice. The autopsy Of
| the dead mans body was conducted by DR..
Lamb, at the request of Mr.. Hicks and Col.
Corkhill, United States District attorney. Drs.
Sewers and Hartigan were asked to assist
They complied with the request, but after the
autopsy was completed, DR.. Lamb, with the
assent of Mr.. Hicks, and without notifying
Col. Corkhll, takes possession of the notes,
makes up his individual report, and forwards
it for publication without so much as consult
extract from the associated press explains the
matter:
There appears to be quite serious misun-
Outstanding among the physicians who per-
formed the autopsy on Guteau's body. DR..
Lamb, who had the formal direction of the
autopsy. has prepared report on his own &C
count and sent it to a Philadelphia medical
journal for publication. Drs. Sewers and
a,nr;sod "f the s' act;on hv note ION Hr
Lamb, which assured them that their "seryi-
ces were recognized in the report" Upon the
recelps OF .nlS no.e, Dls. Dowers anu ha! !
thew reouested to be furnished with a cow Of
the notes taken at the autopsy that they might
be able to formulate report such rs they
would be willing to sign. '-,'N'- III
Before the autopsy was made, a memoran-
III.
that the brain of Guiteau should be taken out
oy Drs; Lsm.'' har1lgan anu ooWers, anu YAK
ton NV ..no rt;as selected NV Row Ilr Hicks and
Col. Corkhill, United States district attorney"
DR. Lamb construes this memorandum as re-
m soleiy W Va. oI E y. sne oiain anu
orc oS ot1;o;.lIv cUrnac,ad with tbo outoncy re-
report giving their observations upon the con
ileioH vi VIC piAiu, ou' WIN cApiCoo Ho oPin-