The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-07-14
Sketch Of the Life of Guiteau.

Charles julius Guiteau was born at Freeport
Ill., on September 8, 1871. he was the son OF
L. W. Guiteau, French Huguenot. The elder
Guiteau, at the time of his death about three
years ago, was Perfeetionist, believing that
map is capable Of attaining moral perfection
on earth. He was at one time a believer in the
faith OF the Oneida Community. In business
the elder Guiteau was very strict and exact.
After an extensive commercial career he be-
came cashier Of the second National bank of
Freeport, and for ten years before his death
held that position, Guiteau, the assassin, has
one brother, John William Guiteau, living in
Boston, and sister, Mrs. George Scoville, OF
Chicago. At school, Julius, as the family
called Charles, was an ordinary lad OF no
special mark as a student, and after common
school education at Freeport he lived for a
time at Chicago, where he also went to school,
and in 1855 he went to Ann ArbOr university,
where he remained for number Of years.
COMMUNIST AT ONEIDA.
Guiteau next appeared at the settlement of
the Oneida Community, and Of his doings
there MIR. Lorenzo Bolles, of the New York and
Oswego Midland railroad, member Of the
Community at that time, said; "He caused
us good deal of trouble. principally by his
consuming love Of notiriety aud wonderful
self conceit. He was moi a man that could be
called eccentric, aud the only popularity that
| ever noticed in him was his lofty estimate OF
his own abilities. He was finally in 1867, ex-
PEELED from the Community, and our
paper showed him up as weak
minded .pretender. For this he threat
ened suit, but never did more than
make threats. He always moved about stealth
iy was reticent in conversati, n, and WAS what
would be termed coward in disposition. He
had put 500 into the community which sum
he had inherited from his grandfather. The
Community endured him as long as possible
and then paid him $500 after his dismissal He
had nrQplata nf which was thar
crackers and water constituted q complete
diet. At all times aud in all situations he was
ready 10 talk on religious topics, on which he
thought himself particularly well informed. He
came to New York fr0m the Community, but
coon returned to Caicago, where be began
studying law under his bro,her-in-law, Mr..
Scoyille, in whose Office he remained unlil 1869.
He never had any prac,ine in Chicago,
as his mind was so unstable that no
could not comprehend a legal propo-
sition, nor see the necessity OF acquiring
and conforming to the coda. His principal
business was the collection for mercantile
firms OF claims bat this practice was small
one, and in many cases II was alleged that he
Made collections ~ far AZ possible but did not
turn over the proceeds Ii was in 1868, while
he was so engaged, that he married Miss
Annie Bum, WHO was aching rs librarian Ton
the Women's Christian association. GuiteaN
was then living with and working in the off 90
OF his brother-in-law, Mr.. Sooyille, who offered
to buy and furnish cottage for the newly
married couple. This offer Guiteau resented,
and, TO show his independence, went to board
At an expensive hotel But he either
had no money or refused to pay his
bills, for he was constantly changing
his boarding house. Guiteau took his
wife 70 PhiisdelphiA not long after, and
left her while he went 70 New YOrk 10 open an
ofiice, He vas mau Of brvsl passion and