New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-09
MRS. SCOvILLE'S CONDITION.
A WRIT OF HABEAS CORP

Mrs ScOvle from lecturing on Sund ,y evening In
the Criterion Theatre made public yesterday
in the shape of a petition presented TO Judge
Donohue in the Supreme Court Chambers
by John d. Townsend. attorney for Mr.
Scoville, who has come from Chicago.
asking that writ Of habeas corpus be served upon
John Wilson Guiteau, commanding him TO pro-
duce the body of Frances NJ. ScovIlle at the Cham
bers of the Comfy Court at 1890 a. m. May o."
The petition sets forth that George ScovIlle tenn
porarly residing in Ncw-York shows that his wife,
Frances NJ. Scovillc, is illegally detained
and restrained of her liberty by hor
brother, John w. Guiteau, and your petit
toner further says that since the lats
trial of her brother, Charles J. Guiteau in Wash
ingtOn his wife has shown strong evidence Of men,
tai disturbance, which has been increased by per-
sons who have attempted to make use of her for
purposes OF gain and n0Oricty; and yoGr petitioner
further says that he last his wife, in company
of their child and of John w. Guitcau on
the evening OF the 9TH of May instant, and he,
the SAID j. w. Guteau, has since stated to your
petitioner that he would not inform him
Of the whereabouts of your petitioners wife. for
no account would he have the question Of her men,
tai condition made public. and your petitioner feels
that the mental condition Of his wife is such that
she should have such care he only furnish her
and proper medical attention"
Judge DOnOhuc granted the desired writ, and
in the afternoon Mr. Scoville went with
the clerk of Mr.. Townsend to the Equit-
able Building and pointed out j. W. Guiteau.
whereupon the clerk handed him the writ. Gui-
teau read 1t, and responded simply, That's all
right"
John w. Guiteau and Mrs. Scovillc with lttle
Bertha. her e-year-od daughter, arrived in this
city April 27, and have been staying at the
Astor House. Mrs. Scoville stated to TRIBUNE
reporter at that time that she had received flat
tering offer to lecture, and it her intention 10
go on the platform and lecture throughout the
country She lccturcd on April 80 at the Criterion
Theatre to eighty persons, and last Sunday
twenty-five gathered at the same place to hear
her, but she announced that family trouble"
would prevent her delivering the lecture, and the
audience left the house, their money being refunded
them.
Mr. Townsend said to TRIBUNE reporter last
night that Mr. ScOvile came TO him yesterday in
great distress Of mind and stated the facts forth
in the petition. He said that the idea of helping
her brother" Mr. Townsend continued, had taken
possession of his wife like an insane deusion and il
only necessary for some one to beckon and say,
Come with me- have plan TO save your brother
and she would Immediately leave everything
to follow him. Some one Mr. 'ScOvllle declared, IS
taking advantage of her stare of mind for bis own
purposes. John W. Gulteau does not wish the idea
to prevail that there is insanity in his family"
" Has Mrs Scovile refused to 90 back to her hus-
bandf Has be seen herT
"He has seen her. He met her and her little girl
in Broadway sunday but she made an excuse
to back to the hotel the trouble was he did not
follow her right up. | would rather not say any
thing more just now. Mr.. Scoyillc came to me in
great distress, and was busy and could not learn
all the details
At the Astor House the clerk said that Mrs; SEQ
willie had left the hotel yesterday with her
little girl. He did not know where they went.
WHAT j. W. GUIrEAU SAYS.
Later the reporter saw John w. Gulteau in his
room at the AstOr House and asked him what he
had to say in regard TO Mr. Scoyille's petition
IL snail be on hand tomorrow morning" he 10
piled, with proper legal advisers, you can rest
assured, and if Mr.. Scoville crowds me TO the
wall | shall show INN up in his
proper Light. | do not know where Mrs.
Scovllc is, but l do know that she is terribly
wronged woman, and he is confounded fraud
without any palliating circumstance redeemns
trait whatever Not all the trouble of tie astssinS-
tion has completely demorallzed me as the hound
ing of this III the last two weeks about Ills wife,
He thinks | am keeping her from HIM, when
sent her money in Washington and wrote 70
her TO go back to her husband. Instead OF
that, the first thing | knew she came on hero
to talk over her family difficulties with me: still
advised her to go back to her husband and had al-
most persuaded her TO do so when he came on here
She is afraid OF him, and last night when he came
to the hotel she slipped out of tho door and ran
away. lie wants 10 take her little girl away from
her and to lock her up i'll an insane asylum when
the woman is perfectly sane; l took her to the
lecture but she did not deliver il because she
feared her husband would carry oil her little child
while she was speaI king AT her request took hef
to friends house uptown, where shS
stayed last night. To-day was informed that she
had left there and do not know where she Is"
=" Mr.. Scoyille states his petition that you re-
fused to inform him OF the whereabouts OF his wife.
Is that SO"
Il told him did not know where his wife was
and if did would not tell him. The man Is crazy
himself. Let any sane man look at the way he has
acted since he has been here and decide II
he is not crazy. lie had room on the floor
below this, and slept here last night.
by hearing pounding on my door and somebody
calling out, Wilson, Wilson, Wilson. asked
what was wanted, and he-ior then recognized
You know where che ls' did not reply 10 him. and
he kept pounding at the door and calling out that
he intended to stay there until o'clock, but he
would see his wife. Then heard him 20 into the
room next 10 mine, which had been occupied by
Mrs. Scoyllle, but hnding nothing there, he re-
turned and pounded at my door again. There
just enough light shining into the room to show
by the Dnreau | suppose hc looked through the
key AID caught sight Of II, for presently he
cried out: Frankie Il III there; sec her lying on
the door. Let me IN! let me Inv paid no alton
tion TO him. and he stayed there az my door until
7:30 ociock, when rose to dress MhIle was
dressing he threatened TO brug policeman and
break down my door. When had finished dressing
| rang the bell for servant and opened the door.
lie was standing "a, the door, and as opened 1t lie
came in, demanding If me his wife. lie came into
the room ana looked in every hole
and corner, under the bed and behind tho
door, as though he thought | hal her boxed up
somewhere. In the meantime sent for the house
detective. who came and took hm away.
am not OBTAINING or restraining hIs wife," Goa,
tlnucd Alr. Gutcau, but do feel sorry Tor tho
poor woman who has got 70 30 back 10 hD. He
hls declared his intention to break down all three
ff,. and fl4nf
tie has threatened 10 disgrace me and drye
me out OF Ncw-YorA, but | defy him 10 do It.
| have friends here and the corporation l work
ior know that nly life has been an honest endesyor
to make a livelihood and | have plenty OF lotters