The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-29
GUITEAU GOSSIP.
The Prisoner Convinced of His Fate
Singing in Prison.

L
Singing in Prison.
WASHINGTON, June 29-The attempts of the
curious to visit the jail to see Guiteau have
nearly all been abandoned, for the reason that
the jail authorities deny admission to all ex-
cept few representatives of the press. Gui-
teau has not been seen by any person except
the jail guards for over week. The iron plat
ed door at the end of the corridor in which his
cell is located is kept closed all of the time. AL
though John W. Guteau and his sister, Mrs.
Scovile, are in the city, they have not called at
the jail. Guiteau was told by Mr.. Hicks to-day
that he might expect visit from both of them
tomorrow, He answered that they could suit
themselves about calling, but he would be glad
to see them when they did call. One of the
watch at his cell inquired of him this morning
il he would dress up to-day. He said sit is too
warm" Guteau takes as much interest in
things generally as he always has, He has
thoroughly made up his mind that there is no
hope for executive interference. There are
about forty women in jail, nearly two-thirds
of whom are colored. The colored women are
frightened over the approaching execution and
try to keep the subject out of their mind by
singing. They sing familiar hymns and can
be heard in all portions of the jail. Guiteau
stood for a while yesterday in his corridor lis
tening. He remarked to Mr.. Winter, one OF
the death watch, 'The women sing better to-
day than for several days, and they seem to
throw more feeling into it than usual" Gui-
teaus stock Of photographs has become very
small, but he said to-day that he would not Or
der any more as the market for them had been
closed against him. He has selected one for
each of the guards of the Jail and the colored
men employed in the kitchen, which he has
tied up in a package, with request that they
be distributed as directed after he has been
hanged. He wrote the name of each person
who is to receive them on the back of the pho
tograph, adding in each case brief Biblical
quotation. Mr.. Hicks told Guiteau that his
brother had said he would go to the scaffold
with him and stand by him until the last mo-
rnent. Guiteau told him to say to John that
he thanked him, adding, sThough John and 1
quarreled years ago, and again during my trial,
he has always been friend to me, and know
would always be on hand when / wanted him.
John may be peculiar as regards his religious
views but he is all right in ever other way, but
I'll need no help to go to the scaffold. The
Deity will stand by me then as always" 1t is
understood that John Guiteau has told several
of the Jail people here that he would accompa-
ny his brother to the scaffold.
Although the behavior of Guiteau during
the past three or four days has generally been
quiet and composed it has been marked by oc-
casonal outbursts of the same fierce fanatical
spirit which impelled him during the trial to
denounce by turn everybody who took any
part therein. This afternoon as Deputy Ward
en- Russ passed the door of his cell Guiteau
said to him in a snarling tone, eff you have
anything to do with my hanging you will be
Odml6Q, you Will nave W bdko Iuo I0SpOu5l-
bility." During the greater part OF the time,
however, the prisoner seems firm and tran
quill and manifests neither unusual excitement
nor unusual depression. When Rev. DIR.
Hicks paid him visit last evening Guiteau
was in quiet and undemonstrative mood and
in reply to the minister's greeting and inquir-
les he said "My mind is free from all worldly
affairs and am ready to go; have no enmi-
ty now against any one. The matter is now
between the Presidents conscience and his
God. hope Friday there will be no bung-
ling and that Crocker will do his work WELL
The prolongation of my life now will not con-
tribute to my happiness although it would be
for the good of the American people.
The exact time for the execution has not
yet been fixed and will depend to some extent
upon the prisoners condition and his wishes.
The death warrant, however, will probably
be read about o'clock. 1t is not yet known
whether or not the prisoner intends to make
any extended remarks. 1t is understo cd
however, he certainly will say something.