West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-02-10
A CHASTITY PROPOSITION.
THE REMAINS OF GVITEAU no
BE PRESERVED ON ICE

And Exhibited Througout this
country and EurSpc--ScoVIIIo
F'Vors Ihe scheme.
The most disgusting and ghastly
feature yet developed in the whole
Guiteau business has lust been
brought TO light by the publication
OF the terms Of an agreement between
Brotber-in-lsw Sohovlle and one
j. II. Ridgway Philadelphia man
ntacturer Of relrigerators, TO proserve e
the body of the assassin. after the
hanging, by rsfsigersting process,
OF which Ridgway is the inventor,
and taen to place it on exhibition in
this country aud Europe, the rsls-
tiveS Of the deceased to have half
the proceeds.
To reporter who called on him
Ridsway entered into a full state
ment of the agreement between him
and Seoville, and produced the fol-
lowing letter in proof OF the same:
"WAsHrNeToN. ID. c., Jan. 80, 1882.
-, II. Rdgway. EfQ,:
DEAR SlR- Yours of the 2Sth instant
received. The relatives are inclined 20
regard your proposition favorably. In
case OF death the brain will have 10 bs re-
moved Tor psst-mOrtem examinations
"GRo. SoOvILLE."
A reporter called upon Mr.. scoville and
interrogated hum as ts tho truth OF Mr..
Ridgway's statement.
"Guitesu's body" said MIR. Scovills.
smiling, 'is not for sale Just now. There's
motion for new trial pending now"
But, persisted the reporter, twas that
letter written by you2'
"Ihat think is substantially correct, /
have no authority To dispose OF the body.
That remains for his sister and brother.
80 far as | am concerned personally. | ace
no reason why such an arrangement should
not DO made. or course, bis family
would not consent to any arrangement
or any disposition of the body with view
TO deriving any pecunIsry benefit from Il.
III they should consent TO the Philadel.
phia proposition, il would he upon the
condition that post-mertem examination
of the brain should frat be made. In de
termine beyond doubt the disputed oues-
tion, whether or not he has any disease OF
The hrainj then the firm that proposes TO
exhibit the body would be required TO give
positive assurance TO the relatives that no
indignaties should bo offered the remains
The proceeds Of such exhibition would
be used by the family, first in paving off
Guiteau's debts, and the remainder, If Any
would be devoted, under the control of
trustees, to the smeiorstion Of the condi.
ton OF the insane, or TO the advancement
OF the anti-cap!tal punishment theory. II
would probably be next to impossible"
continued Mr. ScOVillo, "to bury the r..
mains and protect them from the body
snatchers. They would have far more IN.
centive to steal bis remains than these Of
"A. /. Stewart, and could do 30 with much
less difficulty. Nothing but cremation
or sinking them in the ocean would prove
effective against this class of speculstors
and II they can be made 10 subserye some
worthy philanthropy, it seems 10 me far
batter to dispose Of them In this way"
Ar. John w. Guiteau has Issued the
following address to .hs public:
81 did not hear OF tho Philade lpbia re-
tfigorEtor mans proposition 10 apply IA
my brothers body patent process for
preserving meats until / saw Il M print
day or two ago, and supposed Il was Joke
or clever advertising dodge. 10 was
never su6mltted to me, nor did know
inst Mr.. 6coYille was seriously entertain
ing such bargain until today. when I
bear Of bis reply, whicn I have ;ust now
seen In print. / shall never have ANYTHING
10 DO with such an exhibition, and 4 90
not think II can be accomplished without
my consent When my brother ia dead.
whether he dies by legal PROCESS or in an
insane asylum, bis bs6y Will be submitted
to proper post-mOrtem examination. I'm
INC iaterest or truth and medical eciepce
"blcn Dsins ccomplished, IL will be dis
| posed OF in manner thst will not offend
/ public decsRcy agd morality, nor stimulate
/ q depraVed and vicious curiosity. IfIam
/ favored with prosperity ] had rather az.
| sumo the payment Of bis debts 40 nv own
Than, for any purpose, use the proceeds
/ or 30 repulsiVe and pernlciOus an exhibi-
| tion. Ar. Scoville deserves and has poV
! sJmpathy and admiration for the sacrifices
| De has 90 manfully endured and the heroic
Ni''f wv ~ ~ lAAH gANlDlNeA lM nv brother
deteEse. JOHN WusoH GUrrEAU."
Boclion $40 Of the Ravissd Statutes of
the United States provides that "ths
Court before which any person is convict
ed Of murder may, in its discretion, add
to the judgment Of death that tho body
OF the offender be delivered to q surgeon
for dissection, and the Marshal who exc
cules such judgment shall deliver the body
after execution TO such surgeon a. the
Court may direct and such surgeon. or
ssme person By him appointed, shall re-
ceive and take away the body at tho time
/ Of execution"
Guiteau's attention being called e ,hs
reported arrangements made by Mr. SEQ.
Vile With a Philadelphia 6rm 30 exhibit
his body, be said
'I went have anybody meddlins with
my body. This thing has been done With.
/ out my consent. dent want my rsla-
tiyes 10 make any money OUT Of it. SEQ
vile had no business 70 de &C. intend 10
will ny body 20 some institution, but 7
will have use for IL myself for q long