The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-07-05
GUITEAU HANGED.
THE GREAT TRAGEDY OVER.
Incidents of the Last Act.
The Assassin's Dying Prayer
and Poem.


UNITED STATES JAN, WASHINGTON,
ID. c., June 30.-9:45 a. m.-Gulteau
was very restless during the most Of the
latter part Of tliei night, not sleeping
more than twenty minutes at time.
Toward morning he fell into asouadcr
sleep, from sheer exhaustion. He rose
few minutes after O'Clock, and break
tasted heartily at $50 When the cook
took his breakfast in the cell, Guite~u
told him to bring his dinner in at II
o'clock, promptly
John w. Guiteau arrived at the Jail
at o'clock, and was followed in few
minutes by Warden Croker. These
two gentlemen, with DR.. Hicks, are in
consultation as to the disposition of The
body
At 9:15 o'clock the prisoner came out
into the corridor ard exercised for 10
minutes. He walked very briskly,
making IL rather difficult for his guards
to keep pace with him. Guiteau has
generally taken his exercise in his shirt
and drawers This morning he wore a
pair Of dark pants, and handkerchief
loosely about his neck. u
1925 a. NAT IL o'clock Guiteau
made some requests as TO his execution,
and having made copies of his "last
prayer" poem aud other writings, he
tore up the originals. lie had his boots
/ n L. r-fr -
the cell, his dinner was brought in, and
| Guiteau ate il with much relish. When
DIR. Hicks came out of the cell, he said
the prisoner had not the slightest fear.
eve have had a pleasant religious talk.
He feels now that his preparation is fin
ished, and he is now ready for the last
formality. He commits himself to God
with the utmost confidence. l think
he will show some emotion, because the
nervous strain is so great"
1905 p. m AT five minutes past IL
o'clock, General Crocker read the death
warrant to The prisoner in his cell. The
only persons present were General
Croker, Deputy Warden Rush and the
Rev. DR.. Hicks.
UPoN THE sCAFFOLD.
At IL o'clock Mrs. Scoville arrived
and besought admission. She was la
boring under great excitement. John
w. Guiteau went out TO see her and
persuaded her to make To further at
tempt TO gain admission, while DR..
Hicks was in the cell.
.12;45 p. m.-The crowd outside the
Jail has so; word that the prisoner has
been hanged, and is rendiug the air
with shouts, so that il is impossible to
hear n voice inside of the Jail office.
12:46-Guiteau's neck was broken by
the fall, and not a movement of his
limbs or body was detected. Dea'h en-
sued instantly.
Shortly before 10 o'clock Guiteau
seemed to break down completely, and
burst into tears, and sobbed hysterical-
ly. After the death warrant was read
to the prisoner by the warden he began
to brush his hair with his old appear
ance Of staggering sang froid.
At 25 the loud steam whistle was
blown at the work house, which was
near the Jail. This whistle usually
blows at 10 o'clock, and by it Guiteau
was in the habit of reckoning his time.
The delay to-day was by special arrange
ment, so that its startling summons
might not come before the officers were
ready. Two minutes later the iron
gates at the end of the corridor clicked.
Then warden Croker made his appear
ance, and a moment later the familiar
figure of Guiteau was seen. His face
was pallid, and the muscles about his
face moved nervously. Other than this
there were no signs of faltering. The
procession moved quickly 10 the scat
fold, and Guiteau assembled twelve some
what steep steps with as much stsadi-
ness as could be expected from a man
whose arms were tightly pinioned be-
hind him. At the last step he faltered
for a moment, but was assisted by two
officers, who walked one up1n either |
side. Upon reaching the platform,
Guileau was placed Immediately behind |
the drop, facing 10 the trout of the scat |
fold. Capt. Coleman stood upon his |
right, Mr.. Robert Strong upon his left,
and Mr.. Woodward directly be! ind him. /
Mr.. Jones took position on the north |
side, near the upright of the beam,
Gen. Croker, warden, took his position /
It the southeast corner of the structure. /
There was a slight delay while the
,rOwd of $50 or more spec atois were
cushing and iosiling through the door
cading from the rotunIa To the COZ
-idor, ut the lower enl Of which the
yallows was placed. Gui'eau mean
while gazed upon the crowd, looked IN
II the beam over his head and quickly
made a survey of all the dread prcpara-
ions. As soon as the crowd had gained
.ccess, General Crocker we'd To I; en-
o uncover, and all the heads were
jared. DR. Hicks made al iCvoca. Ion
n these wor'ls Father, out af he
epthS We cry to Thee; hear Thou our
for the sake of Jcs'
'hrist, our Savior, wio has made fun
ropitiation for us. Behold this fhy
ervantl We humbly pray that Thou
Till deliver him at this supreme NOR
mt Of his life. @Let Thy light descend
pom him. Liberate his soul from pris-
n. Nay lac appear before Thee ab-
Dlved byThy great mercy from blood I
uiltincss. Deliver him and us God
ave mercy on us Christ have mercy :
n US Lamb of God that takcst away {
ne sins of the world have mercy on us ! /
men and Amen" I
During the prayer Guiteau stood with t
owed head. At its conclusion DIR. I
ticks nreLed the Bible AID Guiteau in 9
RIM tones said Il will read a selec- |
on from the 10th chapter of Matthew, I