The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-02-22
Ropes for Guifeau.
A REMARKABLE COLLECTION IN TIE JAIL 4
WASHINGTON,

WASHINGTON.
Especial 10 the Baltimore American.I
WASHINGTON, February 49," Another
rope for GuitcaiI." said an eXpreSsman, de-
positinga package in the warden's office of
The Jail this morning.
"That makes forty.four," Deputy War
den Rusk responded, as he signed and
handed back the eXpresSmGn's receipt
book. "Our collection is nearly COM
piete."
"YoT collection?" queried a press
preventative, who was present; "what
do you mean by that:"
.'Step this way, and will show YOU"
Following Mr.. Rusk, the reporter was
shown into n smaller room, where, hung in
4 long row. were various samples OF hang
mems ropes, measuring from three to ten
feet, of every make and yariously tied,
each one properly labelled.
"Why, what are these:' the visitor
asked, looking hastily over the collection,
and shuddering at their suggestiyeneSS.
Contributions from various American
citizens" the jailer answered, "whO desire
10 give Guiteau lift IN the world" laugh
ing at the CHASTITY Joke. ave have now
here ropes from nearly every State in the
Union, and lack but four States to make the
collection complete-Nevada, South Caro-
lima, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
might say that North Carolina was lacking
also, as il has not sent us rope, but some
fellow down there sent this grapevine,
which, suppose, would come in handy on
a pinch"
(which is the rope you have to repre-
sent Marylnd!'
"This one" answered Rusk, showing o
well-grcased rope OF India hemp, con-
-, l,,L l. srl.
nautical style. evidently the work OF a sail
or. owe had another piece, Also" RuSk
continued, "but it has become misplaced.
This one from California, you will observe,
Is Of twisted silk. 1t was unaccOmpanied
Nv the contributors name; but IT'S 4 beau
~. Very few OF them Were marked so as
90 furnish a clue TO the senders. It's Il
splendid collection, though. and something
tllet we take pride in exhibiting to visit
ors."
"Wul you use either OF these for hang
ing Guiteau?"
"No. Bob Strong, the hangmaD, has
decided to use part Of the rope with
which Bedford and Quenan were executed.
fIe SAYS that's the best rope he ever saw. 5"
elias Guitcau seen the collectiony'
"No; we have not considered it proper,
and have carefully avoided abiding to it
in his presence"
:" He has knowledge Of it, has he not "
II suppose that he has seen in the news
pnper announcements OF the arrival OF
rope at various times. but has said nothing
to us on the subject"
What do visitors say about these
ropesy"
"Well, | couldn't begin 10 tell YOU.
Women generally shudder and turn away
and, now and then, men handle them, and
discuss their relative merits. But, as q
general thing, nobody comes to do more
than to glance at them. We had fellow
here the other day-a Snowman, ! took him
To bc-who wanted to buy the whole lot,
to be delivered on the day after the eXecu-
ton. lie offered thousand dollars for
them. But we took no notice OF his prOpo-
'sition, because we believed that his idea
was TO sell each rope for fabulous prices,
representing them TO be the identical rope
with which Guiteau was hanged"
"Will the rope used a, the execution he
cut up and sold as relics."
al don't know; but II might as well be,
for within twenty-four hours after Gut
teau's death / am satisfied that pieces of
that identicalrop VIII be offered for sale
In every section of the country, and all the
sidc-shows and museums will have the rope
on exhibition entire"
I'm the same room were other queer con-
tributions that had been forwarded TO the
assassin. among them models OF gallows
and stuffed men hanging in efligy. There
were pictures, too, drawn on letter-heads
and other articles, the whole forming coll
lection that would thrill the heart OF show
man with delight.
Leaving this remarkable museum, the
reporter paid short visit to Guiteau's cell.
The wretch was writing a letter. His beard
has begun 10 grow out again, and he looked
more unkempt and cadayerolis than he has
for some time.
Confinement Is beginning to show on
HIM" Mr.. Rusk said, "and he gets sullcn
and crabid at times. He Is in one OF those
moods to-day" just then Guiteau raised
his eyes from the letter-sheet before him,
and on perceiving his visitors peering in at
The door. snarled out. "Get away from
there" ticrcely; 81 don't want TO see yis-
Tors to-day"
81 told you So" said Rusk, with smile, |
;aad nc led the reporter away. GuiiealI
does not approve the action OF his sister in |
appealing to Mrs. Garfield IN his behalf. |
He has said very little about it, except that |
ne wished she would attend to her own |
business and let his affairs alone. lie still |
chcrisbes The idea that he will be granted |
new trluI by the General Term.