The National tribune., 1882-07-08
Here Guiteau's voice failed and he bowed his


head and broke into sobs. But he rallied
little and went on with his chant:
I saved my party and my land,
Glory, hallelujsh!
But they have murdered me for it
And that is the reason
am going to the LOrdy.
Glory halleluah glory halleluiahl
am going to the L0rdy.
Here again his feelings overcame him and he
leaned his head on the shoulder of DR.. Hicks
and sobbed pitifully.
1t was indeed pitiful scene. Presently
Guiteau continued:
| wonder what I will do
When | get to the Lordy;
| guess that / will weep no more
When L get to the Lordy.
Glory, Hallelujah
Here there was another interruption causedby
COnvulslve sobs and emotion which he was I'M
able to repress. He wept bitterly, and then,
with quivering lips and mournful tones at
tempted to so on, but failed and sobbed as if
his heart would break Tears rolled down his
checks. DIR. Hicks patted him on the shoulder
and then in almost inaudble tones and trcmb-
follows:
/ wonder what will sec
When get to the Lordy?
expect to see the most splendid things,
Beyond all earthly conception
When | am with the Lordy.
Glory, hallelujah!
Raising his voice to the highest pitch that he
could command:
Glory, hallelujah!
l am with the Lord.
The spectacle was thoroughly disgusting
ohe and why he was permitted either to recite
his prayer, in which he so grossly blasphemed
and lnsulted the President, or his baby verses,
is almost incomprehensible. The whole scene
would have been amusing if it had not been
disgusting, extending to the bounds of indie
cency, and a feeling of relief was experienced
when he had concluded his childish babbling
The next scene i'll this tragic farce or forcical
tragedy was assigned the hangman, who knelt
and securely tied the prisoners legs together.
during this there was an absolute silence that
was positively painful. Guiteau was utterly
broken down and, with closed eyes, appeared to
be silently praying. He was supported by the
indicated complete physical exhaustion He
had realized fully the awful fact that he was
to be strangled for the great crime he had COM
mltted, and although he had expressed himself
as being fully prepared to meet his fate, and
was utterly Indifferent to it, it was clearly evil
dent that lying was one of his strong charac-
teristlcs John Guiteau watched the tying
process calmly, but no glance of recognition
passed between the brothers. After the hang
man had pinioned him DIR. Hicks handed Gui-
teau piece Of paper which he was to drop as
the signal that he was ready, and placing his
hand on the assassin's head gave his final ben
edlctlon, saying: " God, the Father, be with
thee and give thee peace forevermore"
The hangman then djusted the moose, Gui-
teau remarking as he did so, Don't pull it too
tight" The black hood was then drawn over
his head and secured around his throat, Gui-
teau repeating the word GLORY, glory, glory"
IN tremuous tones. A moment later he dropped
the scrap of paper and the warden waved n
white handkerchief to the other hangman
within just as the assassin said Ready" The
bolt was drawn, the drop fell, and the body
dropped straight rs an arrow through the open
ing. Although his neck was not broken it is
evident that death was instantaneous. For
nearly a minute there was not the slightest
perceptibIe motion; at the end of that time the
chest heaved and the legs twitched, but very
slightly. At this moment the inmates Of the
Jail raised shout, which was caught up by the
crowd outside, and the air was rent with cheers,
which continued for half minute-in striking
contrast with the death-like stiffness of the
spectators as they stood gazing at the figure of
the assassin as it swayed slightly to and fro.
The drop fell at 1910, but the body was al
lowed to remain hanging until 1:16 p. H., when
it was lowered into the plain stained coffin
below. The crowd was then permitted to pass
around and view the features Of the corpse
The complexion was sallow, the features dis
turbed and vengefu, and traces of tears were
to be seen. John Guiteau sat at the head of
the coffin tanning away the flies, but as stolid
looking as any one around him After the
crowd had Toasted on the picture to their |
hearts content the coffin was closed and borne /
to the chapel, where the autopsy was held, a |
number of physicians having been invited to |
be present specially for that purpose
TUE hIITOpCY