The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-07

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had made him Differentiated and more tract
able. He babe DR.. McWilliams good-by aud
thanked him for all his kindness, and after they
left he again dropped asleep, and did not awake
until about o'clock, when he began to get
hungry and called for his breakfast. He or
dered the various dishes of which he is 30 fond
An omelette, slices of toast, beefsteak, fried
potatoes and coffee. He also gave directions
that his dinner should be ready for him
promptly at IL O'Clock, evidently determined
not to be started on his long journey an an
empty stomach.
The FatefuI Morning.
At precisely half-past o'clock Friday morn-
ing, the guard brought in the felons break
fast, which he devoured with q keen relish.
DR.. Hicks, who remained at the jail all night
was called into the prisoners cell and held
conversation on religious subjects with him. At
o'clock Dr. Hicks saw the prisoner again,
when he made request to have bath, and
asked Hicks to go out and examine the scat
fold Gulteau desired him to arrange with the
Warden to have the trap sprung as soon after
IL o'clock as possible. He also expressed con-
siderable anxiety lest some accident should
occur, and insisted that Hicks should see that
the scaffold and its appurtenances were all in
proper condition.
After Guiteau had disposed of these matters
he read poem, composed by himself which
he calls simplicity; or Religious Baby Talk. !"
After reading it he attempted to sing it; but
broke down in the effort. Guiteau then talked
for some time about the future. He remarked
that bus heart was tender. ~ don't think" he
said that can go through this ordeal with
out weeping-not because of any great weak
ness, for principle in me is strong but because
am nearer the other world. / hold to the idea
that God inspired me-"
Guiteau subsequently asked that in his books
| all complimentary remarks about President Ar
| thur and his administration be eliminated.
| Then he presented Hicks the books that have
been the comp n ions of his lonely hours. He
| told Hicks that he wanted him to offer the first
prayer on, the scaffold, saying he (G1fteau)
would then read his favOrlte scr1ptural passage,
| the tenth chaster of John, and offer prayer
| on his own account. Then he intended, he
| said, to read his poem, "Simplicity." He de-
sired to have the execution SO arranged that
just as he uttered the last word the drop should
be sprung.
John W. Guiteau arrived at the Jail at 9
O'Clock, and was followed in few minutes by
Warden Croker. These two gentlemen, with
Hicks, had consultation as to the disposal of
the body.
At 9:15 the prisoner came out in the corridor
| and exercised for fifteen minutes. He walked
very brlskly, making it rather difficult for the
guards to keep up with him.
| At O'Clock there was q constant stream of
persons coming into the jail The scene out
side was like that of some great gala occasion.
Some enterprlslng colored men had erected
booths from which they dispensed lemonade
cakes and other refreshments to the weary
| and thirsty people, who began before o'clock
to assemble in the road in front of the jail.
At 10 o'clock Guiteau expressed desire to
take bath, and large tub was taken into his
cell. At this hour no one but the death watch
was with HIM. Guiteau nervously disrobed and
bathed. 1t was quite apparent to the guard,
who was closely watching his every
movement that his object in asking
for bath was simply to obtain
some employment which might distract his
thoughts from the dread contemplation of his
| approaching death. He evidenced increased
nervousness, and his uncertain movements, dis
| trait manner, and the marked tremor in his
tones, when he attempted to speak, impressed
the guard with the belief that he is rapidly
| weakening.
At few minutes after 10 o'clock DIR. Hicks
| and John W. Guiteau went with Gen. Crocker
to the scaffold, together with number of
| guards. John W. Guiteau assembled the steps
and carefully examined the structure, handling
the lope and carefully inspecting all the fixtures
both above and below the platform.
Shortly before II o'clock Guiteau called for
| paper, and for twenty minutes busted himself
| In making copy of what he termed his
| prayer on scaffold." After he had finished his
prayer Upon the Scaffold, he began to ar
range his dress, putting on pair of navy-blue
| trousers.
At IL o'clock, contrary to general expecta-
| ton and the purpose as expressed on the pre-
| vious day. Mrs. Scoville arrived at the Jail and
besought admission. She appeared TO be labor
| ing under great excitement. Gen. Crocker de-
clined to admit her, unless the prisoner spe-
| cially requested it. After a short confer
ence with Warden Croker, John W. Guiteau
| went outside the Jail to see his sister. He
| found her in great excitement, bordering
upon hysteria, but after short time he
succeeded in calming her, and dissuading her
| from any attempt to gain admission. She ac-
| knowledged the proprlety of such course, but
said she could not possibly remain in the city
| during all the wretched hours of the morning.
1 She brought with her the flowers which Guiteau
| asked for, and they were taken to the prisoner.
| Mrs. Scoville also brought two handsome flower
| pieces, cross and anchor, which she will place
| upon her brothers coffin with her own hands.
| DIR. Hicks, when he came out of the cell,
| shortly after IL O'clock said the prisoner had
| not the slightest fear. "We have had pleas
| ant religious talk. He feels now that he is
ready for the last formality. He commits him.
| self to God with the utmost confidence. think
| he will show some emotion, because the nerv-
said, chad seen the prisoner at that time ex-
| cept himself and the Jail officers"
Shortly before IL o'clock Guiteau seemed to
| break down completely, and burst into tears
and sobbed Historically. DIR. Hicks sat by his
side, tanning him, and vainly trying to calm
| him.
About half. past II preparations began to be
made for the execution. AT 11:50 detach-
ment of artillery was formed on the east side of
| the rotunda-and brought their muskets to
| parade rest. AT that time about $50 people
| were on the rotunda DR.. Hicks was with the
prisoner engaged in prayer.
Guiteau showed great nervousness, and ap-
| peared greatly startled when he heard the rattle
| of muskets on the stone floor of the rotunda.
| From that moment, Guiteau appeared to be
| thoroughly overcome with emotion. He wept
| freely, and seemed to be in great anguish. The
scene In the rotunda, while waiting for the pris-
| oner, was one long to be remembered. The SOL
| diers were drawn up on one side, long line OF
| spectators facing them on the other. 1t was
| understood that Guiteau was very much de-
| pressed, and it was expected his passage to the
| gallows would present very distressing sight.
| The movement of the officers around the jail
| door was watched with eager attention. After
the death warrant was read by the Warden, the
prisoner became more composed, and, turning
away, began to brush his hair.
The March to the ScaffoId.
| AT 1925 loud steam whistle was blown at
the work-house, near the jail. This whistle
usually blows at IL o'clock, and by it Guiteau
was in the habit Of gauging his time. The de-
lay to-day was by special arrangement, so
that its startling summons might not come
before the officers were ready Two min
utes later the iron gates at the end
| of the corridor clicked; then Warden
| Croker made his aDDearancn and Y,,o,,oo,,.
later the familiar figure of Guiteau was seen.
His face was pallid and the muscles about his
mouth moved nervouslv; other than this there
were no signs of faltering. The procession
moved quickly to the scaffold, and Guiteau as
cended the somewhat steep steps with as much
steadiness as could be expected from q
man whose arms were tightly pinioned At the
last step he faltered for a moment, but was as
sisted by the officers who walked upon either
side. Upon reaching the platform, Guiteau
was placed Immediately behind the drop facing
70 the front of the scaffold. Capt Coleman stood