Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-07-08


and. bracing his feet on the bed, tilted
back against the wall. Most of the
time he was reading his Bible. On
Wednesday and Thursday he was visited
by his relatives and few friends. He
had long chat with his brother, made
his will aud instructed Rev. Mr.. Hicks
what disposition to make of his proper
ty. At times he would break out into
imprecations, declaring that all who
were interested in his conviction and
execution would be damned.
GUITEAU's COFFIN.
Guiteau's coffin was made at little
undertaker's shop in the suburbs where
the work for the Jail aud the p 3orhouse
is done. There had been no public an
nom cement of the place where this
work was to be done, and the jail off
GERS endeavored to keep the matter
secret but the fact be came known to
many colored men, and during Thurs
day scores of negroes surrounded the
shop begging to be permitted TO place
their hands upon the coffin. The coffin
is rude pine box, such as it is the GUS
tom of the Government to supply to
convicts. There is no decoration of any
sort upon the rude box. 1t is stained
dark in imitation of black walnut, and
! upon the lid there is placed a metal
plate, upon which is this inscriptions
'fCharles J. Guiteau, died June 80,
1892"
TUE HANGING.
About IL 80 o'clock on Friday, War
den Crocber, with two turkeys, pro-
ceeded to Guiteau's cell and made in
quiries as to his comfort. The con-
demned, the warden said did not seem
disturbed. His face had been c,eanly
shaven and his hair comhed nicely. He
was in conversation with Rev. Mr.. Hicks.
He told the warden that he wanted
nothing. The warden then retired and
left the prisoner alone with the clergy
man for an hour. In the meantime all
the preparations were completed 10y the
officials. The warden then again went
and informed the condemned that he
must prepare for the dread ordeal
A short service was held before Gui-
teau left his cell. After this portion of
the proceedings was concluded, he
was escorted TO the main hall of the
jail Warden Crocker here read the
death warrant. 1t was signed, "Chafles
Meies Clerk of the Criminal Court"
The warden, after the execution, in
dorsed the warrant aud returned it to
Clerk Meigs. This was the last legal
act of the assassination. Guiteau
listened intently to the reading of the
warrant. He made no comment.
The arms of the condemned were
thea piDioned. y quver passed over
bis frame, bnt Mr. Hicks uttered some
CHEEKY words of spiritual consolation.
Guiteau perved himself with an effort.
His brother, John W. Guiteau, who
was with him, had tears in his eyes.
The procession was then formed in
the following order: Warden Crocker
and his deputy ; Guiteau, escorted 10y
two turkeys; Rev. DIR. Hicks, Mr..
Reed, of counsel; Captain Coleman, a
veteran officer OF the Jail correspond
ents, officers, etc.
District Attorney Corkhill was not
present. 1t was understood that he
was in the wsrden's room. 1t was
feared that Guiteau would create q SEN
/ sational scene if he saw the man who
had pursued him surely to his death.
The procession passed along to the
steps which led down into the uorth cor
ridor of the jail. All the prisoners had
been removed from the cells in the vi
cinity.
When the steps were reached Guiteau
stopped involuntarily. The pause was
momentary. He walked on in the cen
tre of his guards, looking calmly at the
spectators.
During his march of over two hun
| f,lk l.
IDENTIFY felt, however, that the supreme
momt MT had come, but his step was ap-
parently as firm as ever. As he reached
the steps of the scaffold he halted a
moment. He looked upward and saw
the fatal moose. His eyes fell quickly
and his fingers frightened into the palms
of his hands as he nerved himself, and
he then walked slowly up the steps TO
his death.
Taking his position with his face to
the north, Guiteau spoke a few words
to the Rev. Mr.. Hicks, who said some
thing to him in low tone in reply. The
windows were covered with muslin The
condemned could not see the landscape
beyond, although he glanced out as if
he desired once more to have a look at
the marsh and mud and ooze of the
Potomac fats.
The warden had promised Guiteau
that the latter might give the signal to
the executioner, by dropping paper
when he was ready, and this ARA ge-
ment the warden carried ont, and the
assassin stood with the rope dangling
by him as rigid as post.
Guiteau had written out his prayer
and this he read, at first in low but
distinct tone, growing more passionate
as he proceeded. When he reached the
reference to Arthur it did seem for a
moment as though the frenzy, or the
stimulation of it, was about to assert
itself.
But he did not allow his earnestness to
pass over the boundary line, and he was
seemingly self controlled except when
he uttered the words. coward and in
CRATE. These he seemed almost to spit
out upon the throng, and his eyes snap
ped, while his head was used in such
vigorous gesCiculation as was possible.
When the prayer was ended ne chanted
Ill a dismal tone some verses, and then
he drew himself up to his full height
aud shouted the last line of his verses
"Glory hallelujah, am with the Lord. '
The hangman drew the moose over the
assassip's head. and Gniteau even bent
his neck little TO facilitate the adjust.
ment He turned and said: DO not