River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-01-19


defense.
Adjourned till Thursday morning.
FORTY SEC md DAY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-When the
court opened this morning Davidge
took his position in front of the jury,
and occupied until recess in a general
review of the case.
When the court was again called, Da-
vidge took up in order the case of each
member of the Guiteau family,
upon whose mental condi-
ton evidence had been offered
by t. e defense and recited in connec-
ton of the counter evidence of the
prisoner, summing up the force of this
evidence with the remark: "But the
unanswerable testimony of the experts
settles the question of how much effect
this insanity could have on the mental
condition of the prisoner. 1t but the
merest mockery to discuss this question
in view of the undoubted ability of this
man to distinguish between right and
wrong"
Guiteau interrupted once and shout
ed, 81 have always been a Christian
man, and for six years have been so
strictly. Don't forget that, either"
Davidge continued. There is not a
single fact or jot or title to show that
this prisoner was not perfectly respon-
sible for his act cd the % Of July. The
jury will find that the defense have
carefully picked out and held to view
everything in the entire career of the
man which may be con- idered peck
liar, and this is for you to consider
how much value can be at
tached to this evidence when you
come to consider whether the man did
not know on the Cd of July it was
wrong for him to kill the chief magis-
trate of the nation.
Davidge then took up the Oneida
community and spoke of Guiteau as
wallowing there for six years.
Guiteau-And say il is false; / did
not wallow. am just as pure as you
are, Davidge, and good deal purer.
went there to save souls, and not from
lust. Put that down Davidge, and don't
you forget it.
Davidge discussed the evidence of
| Chas. Reed, who conversed with the
prisoner the Tuesday before the shoot
ing. and who thought he appeared, ga
little off his balance" and this mark
you "said Davidge to the extent of his
evidence as to that day, he was never
asked if he thought he was unable to
distinguish between right and wrong;
is it so very strange, gentlemen, that
| this prisoner should have appeared
queer, when at that very time he was
carrying in his breast this monstrous
crime. This witness Reed, said (Gui-
teau) interrupting, you'd better let him
alone Davidge, he is bad man for you
to tackle" Davidge continued, This
witness Reed, again said the prisoner at
Jail as he says at the instance of SEQ
vile and his evidence as to that oc-
casion is manufactured evidence"
Guiteau again interrupted, shouting
in braggadocio tones, YOU'D better
look out, Reed is going to speak to-
morrow, and he may tear you to
pieces. He has had lots of experience
in Chicago handling such fellows as
you are, and he has sent some OF them
to state prison"
Continuing, Dayidge explained that
in the use of the term he meant no re-
Election on Reed, but it was an easy
thing for the prisoner to often affect to
strike the wall and feign insanity for
the benefit of the gentlemen who
would shortly appear as witness for the
defense.
Owe just got my speech out" called
out Guiteau, "but I'm afraid it will be
month before l get chance to de-
liver it, judging by the way Davidge ID
going on" :,
The hour of three having arrived,
Judge Porter suggested an adjourn
ment, which was assented to by coun-
sci for the defense. An exciting discus
sion then ensued, upon Judge Cox en-
curing of counsel if they desired to
say anything upon Guiteau's request to
be heard.
~ want" shouted Guiteau, ito make
the closing Speech wouldn't trust the
conclusion of my case to the best law
year in America"
The district attorney in ringing
speech protested against Guiteau''
being again allowed to take seat al
the counsels' table. The applause
from the audience with the shouts Of
Guiteau and cries of "order" from the
bailiff made an exciting scene foi
some minutes. Guteau was finally
heard shouting through the din, "The
America people will read nay speech,
and they are greater than this court.
The American people are trying this
case. If you undertake to put on the
gag the law court an bdnc will right me.
My speech will make eight columns
and it is Reeds, and like the Grafton
of Cicero it will go laundering down
the ages, and don't you forget i.-and
as for you Corkhill, President Arthur
will soon dispose of you. Mrs. SEQ
vile was deeply affected and wept
bysterically. Judge Cox finally told
Scoville to read over the prisoners
speech, and let the court known in the
morning if there was anything in it he
desired to 60 before the jury; without
stating whether he would permit the
prisoner speak or not, Judge Cox
| ordered an adjournment.
FoRTY-THIRD DAY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Upon the
opening of the court, Guiteau said:
"fn Justice to myself and Davidge, i
desire to say that / received a letter
yesterday severely denouncipg Day.
idge, and my remarks against him were
based on that letter. l have found out,
however, that was mistaken, and that
| Davidge is high Christian gentleman
and sound lawyer. L desire, there
fore, to withdraw anything that | said
against him. still hold the same opin
ion of Corkhill, however. / am salts
/ fed that | was wrong about Davidge,
but right on Corkhill."
Davidge resumed his argument and
reviewed the evidence. He showed by
the evidence of ]. w. Guiteau and 9TH
er witnesses for the defense that SEQ
ville's theory, that the prisoner was inn
beetle. was nonsense.
Soon after the opening of the court,
Speaker Keifer and the ex-attorney
general entered and took seats upon
the bench.
After his opening speech Guiteau re-
manned quiet listener.
For an hour Davidge having used
some pretty strong language in allud-
ing to Guiteau, such as "this unspeaka-
BILE liar" the prisoner retorted: "Ob,
you are making all that talk for money"
| following it up with frequent COM
ments such as ''that is false" that isn't
true" and similar expressions.
Davidge passed to the examination Of
the prisoner himself, his appearance
upon the stand, what he had said, and
what capacity of intellect he had show
cd. nrovino he said conclusivelv that