Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-06-30

some flower pieces, cross and an anchor,
which she will place upon her brothers cof-
fin with her own hands.
While DIR. Hicks wasin the prisoners cell
at II o'clock, Guiteau made some requests
as to the execution, and having made copies
of his "last prayer" poem, and other wr-
tings tore up the originals. While Dr. Hicks
was there he sent out for the Jail boot-black
and gave him his shoes to be shined for the
last time. His dinner was brought as the
doctor was leaving, and he ate with much
relish. His dinner consisted ola pound of
brolled steak, dish Of fried potatoes, four
slices of toast and quart of coffee of which
very little was left when he finished eating.
DIR. Hicks, when he came out of the cell,
said to an Associated Press reporter, that the
prisoner had not the slightest fear. "We
have had pleasant religious talk" He
feels now that his preparation is finished and
he is ready for the last formality He COM
mits himself to God with the utmost conf
dence"
Just before II o'clock John w. Guitcau
said to representative of the Associated
Press that he felt cheerful SO far as his
brother was concerned, believing it to be far
better for him to die than to live. He said
that no one felt keener anguish than him.
self that the crime had been committed
which plunged nation in grief, He be-
lieved, however, that his brother would
show himself TO be Il brave man and from
his own standpoint would vindicate his
idea of patriotism. His life is wreck and
worthless" said John, "and l think this is
a most fitting end to checkered and insane
career. He believed his brother would die
happy, and owing to his demented condi-
ton would be forgiven in the next world.
He thought his brother would be happier in
death than i'll life under the circumstances,
and if he John w y could, he would not ask
to have him reprieved
Shortly before II o'clock Guiteau seemed
to break down completely and burst into
tears and sobbed Historically. DR.. Hicks
sat by his side tanning him and vainly try
ing to calm him.
About 11:30 preparations began to be
made for the execution. At 1850 O'Clock
the detachment Of artillery was formed on
the cast side Of the rOtunda and brought
their muskets to parade rest. At that time
about $50 persons were in the rotunda Dr.
Hicks was with the prisoner engaged in
prayer. Guiteau showed great nervous
ness and appeared greatly startled when he
heard the rattle of the muskets on the stone
floor of the rotunda. From that moment
Guiteau appeared to be thoroughly over
come with emotion. He wept freely and
seemed to be in great anguish After the
death warrant was read to the prisoner by
the warden the prisoner became much com
posed, and turning away began to brush
his hair with his old appearance ofswagger-
ing sanqfroid
Two minutes aftertwelve the iron gates at
the end OF the corridor clicked Then war
den Crockcr made his appearance and mo-
ment later the familiar figure ofGuiteau was
seen His face was pallid and the muscles
about his mouth moved nervously other
than this there were no signs of faltering.
The procession moved quickly to the scat
fold and Guiteau assembled the twelve some
what steep steps with as much steadiness as
could be expected from a man whose arms
were tightly pinioned behind him. At the
last step he faltered for moment but was
assisted by the two officers who walked one
upon either side. Upon reaching the plat
form Guteau was placed immediately behind
the drop facing to the front of the scaffold,
GGrteau gazcd upon the crowd looked no at
the beam over his head and quickly made
survey Of all the dread paraphernalia
| DR. Hicks then made an invocation to the
Throne of Grace that the criminal might be
saved from the eternal consequences of his
crime.
During the prayer Guteau stood with
bowed head. At its conclusion, DR.. Hicks
opened the bible and Guiteau in firm tones
read a selection from the tenth chapter of
Matthew. Guitcau exhibited slight nerv-
business but recovered his composure, looked
over the sea of upturned faces and said 81
will now read to you my last dying prayer"
as follows:
Father, now 60 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 mis-
sion, but Thou knowest it. Th"--. -. ~,e
Thou didSt inspire Gqr 6m + removal Emo; and
best 9';iSehCe that the inspiration came
ho o,i Ihee and l have set it forth in nv
tES,N mat all men may read and know thai
I a, rather, dldst inspire the act for which
, VAIN uih now murdered. This government and
"'ioi Dy this act | know will incur Thy
t tt1''al enmlty as did the Jews by killing
Ius man my Savior. The rctribution in
ytu' 1 Ease came quick and sharp, and know
WV ul'me law Of retribution will strike his
i iItlao1 and my murderers in the same wav
1 u'ibollcal spirit of this nation. lis
5 SG;,n,eiiment and its newspapers toward me
W., w.. JIAfy thee in cursing them and know
,i,iI. I'll ;ulVlne law of retrbuton is inexor
, 11ie' therefore, predict that this nation
T Mnl 50 own in blood and that nv muir
f u ,,';m Inn the executive to the hangman
Uili &C. 60 thell. Thy laws are inexorable'
, wo t nou upreme Judge. Woe unto the
f mel men that Nate Thy laws! Only weeping
and an, grashlg. of teeth awaits them. The
american anne ., iess has a large bill to settle
t H,ta the n p'Stous Father for their vindc
viii satiS 'i =, IS matter. Nothing but blood
t WI, sa.lsly tim, and now my blood be on
mem u.a and ts nation and its officials
;nrIa' 'he p:sident, is Il coward and an
,ngda Sn, His iFratitude to the man that
from overthrowaas no parallel in 'l bist IInu
put !, lhog u Rightsus Father will Judge him
tt att Thou knwest me, but the world
and nin tb no sa Known and now go to Thee
of earth. ye meh
he ~ sssn n s'r had psd reading his
with firm Voice 81 ,3nou. oo;,os ~ '''i,