Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-07-08
His Crime and the Penalty He Paid
for it.
THE CRIME.

| His Crime and the Penalty He PaiC
for IL.
THE CRIME.
At 9 q. m, Saturday, July ID, 1881
James A. Garfield, President of the
United States, was assassinated in tho
ington. The President was about leav-
ing Washington to spend the 4th al
Long Branch. He was about entering
the waiting room of the depot when be
was shot by Charles J. Guiteau. At
the time of the shooting President Gar
field was surrounded by most of the
members of his Cabinet, who proposed
| to make the trip with him.
After the shooting the President was
taken at once to the White House and
the best medical attendance summoned.
At the time, and up to the 7th of July,
it was nos supposed that the injuries
received by the President were fatal,
and at that time the physicians were
hopeful Of his speedy recovery.
Dnrirg July there were several re-
lapses. accompanied 10y rigor and chills,
but it was not until August 23d that
/ fBC NstfG Ndh II SSTlOuS OuCs uG IcEl-
denS was gradually failing all this time.
Early in September, at the Presi-
dents earnest request, it was decided
to remove him from the heat of Wash
ington to Long Branch, and on the 9Th
of the month the removal was made,
the sick man bearing up under the or
deal remarkably well. On the 9th the
Pre- sident's condition was declared en-
c. ursRing by the physician s, and on
the 14th it was asserted that still fur
ther improvement was noticed in the
ease. On the 10th the President was
declared worse and on the 18th grave
apprehension were felt for his recovery,
On the 19'h of September the Presi-
dent was attacked by a chill. At 10
O'Clock p. m he began to nix rapidly,
and at 1875 he breathed his last.
The last tcene in the mournful trae-
edy took place when the Presidents re-
mains were deposited in the tomb at
Cleveland, Ohio. The Cabinet officers,
members Of the Supreme Court, the
leading army officers, members cf Con-
gress and distinguished citizens were
present. and the. ceremonies were most
impressive and interesting.
THE ASSASSIN.
Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin Of
the President, IVES born in Freeport,
ILL.,, in l841. While preparing for col
| lege he becameinfatuated with the ideas
of the Oneida Community and joined
that Institution, remaining but q short
time. He then commenced the study
of law with his brother -in-law, George
Scoville, of Chicago. He never ap-
peared to have any strong ideas of hon
esty, aud was always noted as man
who lived by his wits. He was inter-
ested in politics and attempted to de-
liver speeches in the Garfield campaign,
but received little encouragement. He
had also peculiar religious ideas and ex-
pressed them on the rostrum and in a
number of books he wrote. He did not
attempt to deny his crime, and letter
found in his pocket when he was ar
rested set forth that "the Presidents
tragic death was sad necessity, but il
will unite the Republican party and
save the Republic"
THE TRIAL.
The Grand Jury of the District oi
| Columbia having found ali indictment
against Guiteau his trial commenced
before the District Snpreme Court on
Monday, Nov. IA. 1881, and ended on
January 25, 1882, with a verdict OF
guilty.
Guiteau was sentenced to be exc
cuted on June 80 amid terrible impre-
cations on bis part. Judge Cox refused
to grant him new trial, saying that
he had had as fair a trial as any man
ever had.
The protracted trial which ended in
Gulteau's conviction was followed by
repeated efforts of his counsel to secure
reopening OF the case through the
courts, appeals having been made tc
one tribunal after another until the last
resource was tried in an application tc
Justice Bradley Of the United States
Supreme Court for a writ of habeas cor
pms. On the 10Th Of June that Judge
filed his decision denying this applica
ton, and the final hope of judicial re
lief vanished. The sole chance tha
then remained was an appeal for Execu
tive clemency, at least TO the extent of /;
reprieve until a medical commission
could examine the prisoners menta
condition, and this was asked for no
only by Guiteau's family and counsel
but by some prominent specialists il
mental diseases. President Arthur anC
the Cabinet, however. decided that ther,
was no ground for Executive ipterfer
ence, and concluded 10 let the law tax,
Its comse.
GUITEAUs LAST DAYS.
For several days il was evident to al
that Guiteau had given up all hope of
repriev@ although he still insisted tha
God would not LET him die. Deput,
Warden Russ says that Guiteau slep
Wednesday night as quietly as MAJ
with clear conscience and good health
He did not stir from the time he Ia,
down an his cot until the cook brough
him his breakfast at six O'Clock. Thi
meal consisted of eggs, coffee, potatoes
and piece of steak. He ate this wit
relish, and then took an hours prone
made in the corridor. He paid no hee
to the guard, an elderly man, wit
great silver-bowed spectacles, whic