Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-30

passed within an inch OF nv head and left my pro-
did me- no harm Il ts 9as
pistol within six inches OF nay head in August and
! clinched him and held HIM until relieved by
at my head, but 1t missed me. record this expe-
rience as acts OF the Deity in my favor"
Thus 1t will be seen that Guiteau claims that
the encounter he had with VIM. G. McGill, one OF
the guards at the Jail, on the morning OF August
lftn, was an assault upon his life. &
THE MG11L STORY.
The story told at the jail was that McGill, in
passing through the corridor, noticed Guiteau in
his cell: leaning upon the windowiledge in such
position that he thought the prisoner intended to
do some violence to himself. He thereupon en-
tered the cell. Guiteau Immediately attacked him
with a knife made OF q steel shoe shank, supposed
to have been secreted in the cell by FORMER occu-
pant and found by Guiteau McGill drew pistol
and In the scuffle that ensued the pistol was dis
charged without doing harm. Other guards then
arrived arr and the prisoner was secured. Guiteau
has always insisted that McGill entered the cell
ana attacked him with the revolver, and denied
the ShOe-Shank story.
SERGEANT MAsoN's ATTEMPT
On the 18th OF September between and Z
O'CLOCK, When detachment OF men from battery
b, FL artillery, arrived at the jail to go ON duty,
Sergeant John A. Mason, one OF the squad, going
20 the corner OF the west wing Of the building,
fired bullet from his musket through Guiteaus
cell window. The bullet missed the prisoner and
was fattened against the wall opposite tho win
dow. When the flattened bullet was found it had
on It an impression that was almost an exact pro-
ME likeness OF Gutteau. Mason was put under
now serving out sentence of eight years impris-
onment In the Albany penitentiary.
BILL JONES.
When the Criminal Court adjourned November
18th Guteau was placed in the van as usual, to be
reconveyed to the jail. The van was followed for
some distance by a man on a horse, who rode up
to the vehicle as it was driving out Of the Capitol
grounds into East Capitol street and fired. The
bullet passed through the side OF the van and
graZed the prisoners arm. The horseman fed as
iast as his horse could carry him, and escaped
immediate arrest He was apprehended few
living IN the country. north OF the city. His case
has not yet been disposed of. 1t is supposed that
many Others, encouraged by the expectation that
the act would be
PUBLICLY APPLAuDED,
awaited an opportunity to wreak vengeance on
the prisoner. There was something of popular
demonstration in favor of Jones and very marked
one In the case OF Mason, though the law took its
course. Subscriptions were started in every part
OF The country for the benefit of Mason's wife and
ch1ld-"Betty and the baby"-and Mrs. Mason has
realized very handsome sum from the movement.
When the prisoner was arraigned on the 18th of
November last, gaunt looking stranger m ide
sensation IN the courtroom by attempting to bOr-
oner Unfortunately for his purpose, the ST. anger
approached detective officer to make his request
ana was put under arrest. He was soon after
released. His name was
GEORGE H. BETHARD.
Since then he has remained about Washington,
and short time ago served a term in the work.
mouse Tor vagrancy. During the smallpox scare
many letters were received at the Jail for Guteau
purporting to contain smallpox virus. These let
tiers were invariably destroyed, and it cannot be
said whether their contents were really harmful
or not. Mr.. Scoville received similar letters On
several occasions much amusement was caused by
the discovery OF the innocent character of what
were at first supposed to be
INTERNAL MACHINES
intended for the prisoner. On one occasion a mys-
ferrous box was received by Mr.. Scoville for Gui-
teau, and looked so suspicious that no one dared
touch IT. After some days some Senturesome re-
porterS carried the box to the center of Judiciary
square, and there opened # withs great care 1t
contained merely a hangman's moose, with a card
OF greeting attached. Another box, which was
likewise placed under suspicion, Was secreted for
safety in the back yard OF Mr. Sceville's lodging
Some one fearessly investigated it, and found that
IL contained several dollars in SmAil change sent
TO Mi. Scoville by some syrnpathizer. The two
attacks made publicly upon Guiteau'S life show
which fully justified the precautions taken by the
authorities. After Jones' harum-scarum attempt
tne van was always guarded by a Gordon of
mounted police In its passage to AMI from the
jail, and the prisoner was always surrounded by a
number or officers. - 49, ~