Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-01-15

or shoulder"
MIR. Davidge, laughingly: "Don't
go back on the witness.
Col. Reed: b" am reading from the
record, sir. 1t says
Guiteau, with an air of satisfac-
tion at his superior discernmenD
why that was intended for pun.
Col. Reed: "But you don't seem
to seeit. l don't know as that should
be wondered at, for it would require
a microscope for an ordinary mortal
to see it.
After recess, Col. Reed continued
his argument, reading two letters
written by Guiteau at the time he
left the One da community, and con
tended that no man cou read those
letters and not reach the conviction
III It the writer was of unsound
mind. This evidence was not man
ufactured for the occasion, it was on
record years ago. Many of the ex
perts Tor the Government, who had
watched this prisoner closely for
weeks, swore here that they
did not think the prisoner,
by his looks, by his talk or by his
actions here in this courtroom, he
has endeavored to feign insanity
This, said Colonel Reed, lis a point
vital to this case, and ask you,
gentlemen, if half a dozen Of these
experts swear that he is playing
part here, and as many more swear
to the contrary, and ali of those
witnesses for the Government, II, /
say, those experts disagree
SO positively upon this point,
how much weight can you
attach to their opinion upon
his sanity. 1t does not require an
expert to pronounce him insane. You
have seen him day after day shuffling
in before you. You have seen that
strange unnatural look of his eyes,
and it requires the opinion Of no ex
pert to convince you that this is not
/ the appearance of sane man. Con
tinuing in this strain the speaker said:
In my opinion, if this poor creature
is sent to an asylum he will
be q dwelling idiot within six
mouths"
Guiteau had been quietly listen
ing, with his elbows upon the
rall of the dock and his chin upon
his hands, his back being turned to
the audience and his attention ap>
parently fixed upon something in the
street. This. startling prediction
amused him intensely. Turning
around. he looked over in the direc-
ton of the speaker and enjoyed a
quiet laugh for some seconds,
"These experts, said the speak
er, "do not swear to a fact,
for none but the inscrutable Deity
can know what there is in the brain of
man. They swear only to an opin-
! ion, and you have notable instance
Of how far from facts the opinions of
most learned doctors may lead
in the sad case of the late Presi-
dent. We had bulletins every
| day, giving his condition.
| We had an announcement that a
probe, or whatever it may be, had
been inserted twelve inches into the
wound, and yet the wound really led
In an opposite direction, say it
would be shame to send O. man to
the gallows upon the opinion of
Doctors Colonel Reed concluded,
Gentlemen, am very much obliged
to you for your attention, and only
ask you, pray do not do that which
shall, in after years, bring shame to
your cheeks.
Guiteau called after him: Reed is a
good fellow, but would not give a
cent bushel for that rubbish. II
could only have one hour with that
jury would give tnem the right
theory and fix this matter" The
court then adjourned till monday.