The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-01-21
THE cuirEAU TRIAL.
Nearing tho Close.

70 Mr. Davidge yesterday. The latter proceed
ei with his review OF the evidence. Passing
lightly over the more unimportant parts he
laid marked emphasis upon the damaging tes
timony of John w. Gulteau, who he said, was
most unwilling witness against his brother
but who was obliged, rs a man of truth and
honor. TO affirm the prisoners sanity and his
hateful, domlneerlng, egotistic temper. THIS
witness was from the very first opposed to the
plea of hereditary insanity, as it touched HIM
self and his children as nearly as it did the
prisoner. Mr.. Davidge's description of the
prisoners own evidence was next given in
graphic sentences. He had been put on the
stand as a last hope, bat, so far from sustain
ing the defense, he had removed any doubt
which remained IS TO his sanity. He then
commented on Guiteau's character as testified
to by several Of the witnesses for the prosecu.
ton, showing that he was thorough scoun.
drel, whose insanity consisted in an absurd
idea OF his own consequence, which led him
to disregard all the rights of others which in
terfered with his own convenience.
In discussing the medical testimony, he
took up the hypothetical question of the de.
Tense, claiming that its bases were not
sustained by the evidence. He also pointed
cut that the inquiry begged the question at IS.
sue and was arttully incomplete and unfair.
Then he turned to the inspiration theory. "lf
he was inspired" said Mr.. DavIdge, iii was
from the devil, not from God. Substitute devil
for God. and the meaning of much of this
pressure Is clear. Guteau struggled against
It as every man tempted of the devil struggles,
but he did not resist. He succumbed, and
sin brought fourth death" Mr.. Davidge fin
ished shortly alter 3 O'Clock, bringing his re,
marks to a close without any elaborate peror.
alton, and the court adjourned until Saturday,
when Mr.. Reed was expected to address the
court, consuming the entire day.
Soturday.-The day was taken up by Mr..
Reed IN his first speech tor the defense. The
most effective part of his speech is SAID to have
been that IN which he pictured the widow of
the murdered president as nightly praying
that the murderer of her husband might be
pronounced insane. His speech, says the
Tribune reporter, was altogether of the sym
pathetic character. He tried to get into the
Jury box and were there not so much to in.
tervene before the case can go to the jury, he
might be able to hang them.
"His method was earnest and deliberate
HIS expression was always serious He fought
to prove that, from the time of his birth Gui
teau WAS a victim of mental disease. Com
mencing with his mothers maternity, he show
ed that all through the weary months she was
an invalid, and argued that Gulteau was the
sufferer from this. The boy could not talk till
no was six years old, and was whipped by his
father because he could not--whlpped from
b0yhood, Reed argued, because the hand of
God was on him He led blameess lite
from that hour, it was maintained, TO the age
of 49, when he struck his father. That, the
counsel claimed, was an act of madnesss
Then Luther Guileau, worthy man rs he may
have been In all other respects, was insane up.
On religion and he forced young Guteau to
enter the Oneida Community, which was the
vestibule of hell. From that hour, Reed en-
deavored to show by Gulteau's letters which
the prosecution had introduced and by tho
testimony OF the government witnesses, the
prisoner was insane. The circumstances SUI
rounding the shooting he dwelt upon with
great emphasis as indicating this. Reed drew
aparae favorable to Guiteau from the varl-
Gus prominent political assassinations of his
tory, ending with William Lawrence's attack
upon Andrew Jackson. He even quoted the
case of Charlotte Corday as one of insanity
which was new history to many in the audi.
once. Reed quoted Guiteau against hlmselfI
to prove his insanity, and mildly characterized
his outrageous outburst as 'to some extent a
bOisterous manner" When Reed went SO far
as to predict that Guieau would become "a
drivelng idiot the latter, from the dock, hiss
ed out an indignant "Pish y,
In conclusion Reed said:
Gentlemen you all said, when you we're
sworn, that you would be governed by the evi.
dence and stand up to it, without regard to the
effect it might have upon you and your bust.
ness. adjure you to keep that oath Falier
not In the performance of the duty which shall |
save you and this fair land from eternal dis
grace. L assert that the conviction of this |
man to the galOws and his execution, would |
be an iniamy beyond descrIption-an indeli- |
BILE stain on American Jurisprudence and
American j1ries. Think of the scene if you
condem him to the gallOwsl Though not
present IN body to see the sight you cannot but
be there in mind. If such day shall ever
come land do not believe it ever can come
under this evidence) think OF this man brought
out from his cell with the same pale face and
same weary, wandering eyesl The officers of |
the law gathering round him, pinloning him,
binding him with cords 30 that his muscles
stand out, covering him with the black hood
shutting out the light of day from him, and
leading him TO the scaffoldw
Gulteau's comment, at the close of the |
speech, was Reed is good fellow, but
would not give cent bushel for his rubbish.
II could only have talk with that jury,
would give them the right theory"
The court then adjourned to Monday.
1onday.-The day was occupied by Mr..
ocoyille FOR the defense, IN aspeech that threat
ems to run through two or three days. Its de.
livery was interiered with by frequent inter.
ruptions on the part Of the opposite counsel