Morris tribune., 1882-07-06
He Chants q Poem amidst SObs
and Tears and Recites u
BlasphensOus Prayer.
Broken DO,O1s But Composed
Enough to Give the Fatal
Signal Himself.
Springiag Of the Irap-Instan-
taseOus Death-YelLs from
the POpuldce-His Body.
Friday Morning.


WASHINGTON, D. c., June 30.-Guiteau was
very restless during most of the latter part
of the night, not sleeping more than twenty
minutes at time. Towards morning he
fell into q sounder sleep from sheer exhaus-
ton. He rose few minutes after and
breakfasted heartily at $50. When the cook
took his breakfast into the cell Guiteau told
him to bring his dinner at II o'clock
promptly. DIR. Hicks, who remained at the
Jail all night, was called into the prisoners
cell as soon as he rose and held converse
ton on religious subjects with him.
Ats o'clock DR.. Hicks saw the prisoner
again, when he made a request to have a
bath and asked Hicks to go out and see the
scaffold. Guiteau desired him to arrange
with the warden to have the ira sprung as
soon after II o'clock as possible. He also
expressed considerable anxiety lest some &C
cident should occur and insisted that Hicks
should see that the scaffold and its appur-
tenances were all in proper condition. At
ter Guiteau had disposed of these matters he
read a poem composed by himself, which he
calls ''Simplicity, or Religious Baby Talk"
After reading it aloud he attempted to sing
it, but broke down in the effort. Guiteau
then talked some time about the
future He remarked that his heart was ten
der. 1 don't think" he said, II can 60
through the great ordeal without weeping,
not because of any great weakness, for prin-
ciple in ME is strong, but because am near
ing the other world. l hold to the idea that
God inspired me-" Guiteau subsequently,
asked that in his books all complimentary
remarks about President Arthur and his ad-
mnistration be eliminated. Then he pre-
sented to Hicks the books that have been
companions of his lonely hours. He told
Hicks that he wanted to offer the first pray
er on the scaffold, saying he (Guiteau)
would then read his favorite Scriptural pass
age the tenth chapter of John, and offer
prayer on his own &C cunt. Then he in
tended, he said, to read his poem, "simplici-
ty." He desired to have the execution so
arranged that Just as he uttered the last
word the drop should be sprung
John w. Guiteau arrived at the Jail at 9
o'clock, and was followed in few minutes
by Warden Crocker. These two gentlemen,
with Hicks, had consultation as to the dis
position of the body. At 9:I5 the prisoner
came out into the corridor and exercised for
Is minutes. He walked very briskly, max
ing it rather difficult for his guards to keep
pace with him.
az lU " ClOCh eApTeSSeu desire 70
take BATH and large tub was taken into
his cell. At this hour no one but the Death
watch" was with him.
Guiteau nervously dressed and bathed.
1t was quite apparent to the guard who
was closely watching his every movement
that his object in asking for bath was
simply to obtain some employment which
might distract his thoughts from the dread
contemplation of his approaching death. He
eyinced increased nervousness and his un-
certain movements, distrait manner and the
marked tremor in his tones when he ATTEMPT
ted to speak, impressed the guard with a
belief that he is rapidly weakening.
A battery of artillery and 20 mounted men
were detailed from the arsenal, and have
taken position as an extra guard. Every
possible precaution has been taken against
interruption ofthe ceremony. The mounted
men patrol the vicinity and press the crowd
ing troops back from the building. No
trouble was anticipated, but the authorities
deemed best to take every preeaution.
THE HOUR APPROACHING.
10:45 a. m.-The rotunda was thrown
open at 10 o'clock and the newspaper men
at once focked in. There were
few other people there except the Jail
guards, and squad of artillery men who
looked down upon the scene from the higher
steps leading to the scaffold. Early this
morning the prisoners in the part of the iail
overlooking the court where the gallows
stands were all removed to other quarters
and locked in their cells. At nine o'clock a
sort of rehearsal of the part they are to play
in tn, execution was had for the purpose
chiefly of testing the appliances of the gal
lows. A bag of sand weighing 16O pounds
was attached to the moose, the trap was
sprung by means of trigger rope which was
passed into one of the cells of the north
wing. The rope on the scafold stood the
test well.
At 10 o'clock Mr.. Hicks and John w.
Guiteau went with Gen. Crocker to the scaf-
fold, together with number of the guards,
John W. Guitean assembled the steps and ex-
amined the structure, handling the rope,
and carefully inspecting all the fixtures
both above and below the platform.
HIS GREAT DESIRE
seems to be that there shall be no scene, and
his programme shall be carried out without
any Intervention or incident to detract from
the heroic picture which he believes he is
about to present.
At 10 o'clock there was q large crowd of
newspaper correspondents crowding about
the gate leading into Guiteaus corridor, but
they could see nothing except the wooden
orS.
Now and then the guard appeared at the
door and sent some message to the warden.
AT such times those at the gate got view Of
the table and chS(r on which the death
watch sat. r ntr
After Guiteau had finished copying his
'prayer upon the scaffold" he began to ar
range his dress, putting on q pair of navy
blue trousers. S ftr
AT 1890 the guard came out of the door,
and said: "He is ready for DIR. Hicks now,
and wants the flowers to come" Another
guard who took the message hurried off
and soon he returned with Hicks, who
went into the cell. Guiteau was then very
composed.
Guiteaus message about flowers referred
to his expectation that Mrs. Scoville would
send some flowers to him; but none had ar
rived at the time he asked for them.
After short conference with Warden
Crocker, John w. Guiteau went outside the
Jail to see his sister, and he found her in
great excitement bordering upon hysterfa,
but after short time he succeeded in calm
ing her and d1ssuading her from any at
tempt to gain admission. She acknowl-
edged the good propriety of such course,
but said she could not possibly re-
main in the city during all the wretched hours
ofthe morning. She brought with her the
flowers which Guiteau asked for, and they
were taken to the prisoner Mrs. Scovilie
also brought two handsome flower pieces,
cross and an anchor, which she will place
upon her brothers coffin with her own
hands, .& 8sR-
11.35 a. While Mr.. Hicks was in the
prisoners cell at IL o'clock Guiteau made
the same requests as to the execution, and
having t1aado ccx,s<r