The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1882-07-06

hours of the morning. She brought with
her the flowers which Guiteau had asked for
and they were taken to the prisoner. Mrs.
Scovile also brought two handsome flower
pieces. a cross and anchor. which she desired
to place upon her brothers coffin with her
own hands.
While DR.. Hicks was in the prisoners cell
at IL o'clock, Guiteau made ,ome requests rs
to the execution. and having made copies Of
his 'last prayer" poem. and other writings,
tore up the originals. lie then sent for the
Jail bootblack, and gave him his shoes to be
shined.
His dinner was brought in AS the doctor
was leaving, and he ate with much relish.
His dinner consisted of a pound of broiled
steak. n dish Of fried potatoes, four slices Of
toast and a quart of coffee. DR.. Hicks, when
he came cut of the cell, said the prisoner had
not the slightest fear. I'VE have had pleas
ant religious talk he feels, now. that he is
prepared, and he is ready for the last formal
ity. He commits himself TO God with the
utmost confidence. | think he will show
some emotion, because the nervous strain is
so great. Nobody has seen the prisoner, at
this time, except myself and the Jail officers
At II o'clock DIR. A. Z. Mcdonald, of New
York, and DR.. Francis Loring, of this city.
expert witnesses AT the trial of Guiteau, ar
rived ut the Jail. DR.. Mcdonald said, as he
understood it, an autopsy would be perform
ed by three physicians agreed upon by the
friends of the condemned man. Afterwards
the brain would be removed for further ex-
animation. The three physicians selected to
perform the autopsy are DR.. Lamb, who made
the autopsy of the President, DR.. Savers and
DR.. Hartigan. deputy coroner OF this city.
DR.. Loring expects 10 make a thorough cy-
animation of the prisoners eyes.
The following is the full text OF Guiteau's
prayer, as he has prepared to read it:
my Dying Prayer on the Gallows: Father
now go Thee and the Saviour. | have fin
ished the work Thou gayest ME to do, and
am only too happy to 80 to Thee. The world
does not yet appreciate my mission. but Thou
knowest it. Thou knowest Thou didst in
spire Garfield's removal, and only good has
come from it. This is the best evidence that
the inspiration came from Thee. and | have
set it forth in my book. that all men may
read, and may know that Thou, Father, didst
inspire the act for which | am murdered
This government and Nation, by this act, |
know will incur Thy eternal enmity. as did
the Jews by killing Thy man, my Saviour.
The retribution in that case came quick and
sharp, and know Thy divine law of retri-
button will strike this Nation and my muir
derers in the same way. The diabolical spir.
it Of this Nation, its government and news
papers, toward me, will justify Thee in ours
ing them, and know that the divine law OF
retribution is memorable. | therefore pre-
diet that this Nation will go down in blood,
and my murderers, from the executive to the
hangman, will 20 to hell. Thy laws are in
exorable. oh, thou Supreme Judge. Woe
unto the men that violate Thy laws. Only
weeping and gnashing of teeth await them.
The American press has long bill to settle
with Thee, Righteous Father for their vim
dietiyeness in this matter. Nothing but
blood will suffice for them now. My blood
be on them, and this Nation and officials.
Arthur, the President, is coward and an
migrate. His ingratitude to the man who
made him, AMI saved his party and the land
from overthrow, has no parallel in history. |
But Thou, Righteous Father, will judge |
them. Father, Thou knowest me. but the |
world hath not known me, and now | so to |
Thee and the Saviour without the slightest |
ill-will toward human being. Farewell, We |
men OF EARTH
Shortly before Il O'Clock Guiteau seemed \
to break down completely and burst into tears
and sobbed Historically. DR.. Hicks sat by
his side, tanning him, and vainly trying to |
calm him.
About 1870 preparations began to be made
for the execution. At $50 4 detachment of
artillery was formed on the east side of the
rotunda, and brought their muskets to pa
rade rest. At that time 30 people were in
The rotunda. DR.. Hicks was with the pris-
,ner, engaged in prayer.
Guiteau showed great nervousness. and APP
Deared greatly startled when he heard the
'attle of muskets on the stone floor of the re-
unda. From that moment Guiteau appear
ID to be thoroughly overcome with emotion.
lie wept freely, and seemed to be in great
lnguish.
The scene in the rotunda, while waiting
or the prisoner. @'as one long to be remem-
,ered. The soldiers were drawn UP on one
ide, long line of spectators facing them on
he other. 1t was understood that Guiteau
ID his passage to the galows would present
very distressing sight. The number Of Of
icers about the Jail door watched with eager
ttention.
After the death warrant was read by the
warden, the prisoner became more composed
nd turning away began to brush his hair.
1t I2:25 loud steam whistle was blown, at
he work-house near the Jail. This whistle
IsuaIy blows at ~ o'clock, and by it Guiteau
vas in the habit of gauging the time. The
elay to-day was by special arrangement, so
hat its startling summons might not come
efore the officers were ready.
Two minutes later the iron gates at the end
( the corridor were unlocked then Warden
rocker made his appearance, and moment
tier the familiar figure of Guiteau was seen.
lis face was pallid, and the muscles about I
is mouth moved neryously. Other than this
here was no sign of faitering. The process
ION moved quickly to the scaifod. and Cult ,
au assembled the somewhat steep steps, with {
much steadiness as could be expected from
man whose arms were tightly pinioncd. At /
ne last step he faltered for moment, but ,
as assisted by the officers who walked upon
ither side.
Upon reaching the platform Guiteau was
laced Immediately behind the drop, facing
the front of the scaffold. Capt. Coleman
God upon his right; Robt Strong upon his
n, and Woodward directly behind him.
1nes took position on the north side, near
lie upright of the beam. Warden Croker c
,ok his position at the southeast corner of
lie structure.
There was a slight delay while the specta-
RS were pushing and jostling through the
,or leading from the rotunda to the corri- u
Or at the lower end of which the gallows
as placed. Guiteau meanwhile gazed upon n
e crowd, looked up at the beam overhead, IL
Id quickly made u survey Of all the dread
Iraphernaia. As soon as the crowd had u
lined access, Gen. Croker waved to them
uncover, and all heads were barred. u
DIR. Hicks then prayed in the following CO
1rds. p
Father, out of the depths we cry to Thee.