New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-01
SOME MEMORIES OF GUITEAU.

HIS AyowAL OF AN INTENTION TO Bee )aiE RE-
LIGIoUs IMPOsTOR-HIs PERSONAL IABITs.
A citizen of Chicago who was known to have had
opportunity to study the character of Gmteau dur
ing period of several years was yesterday asked
by a TRIBUNE reporter how his attention was first
directed to the man. The gentleman replied:
"Gaiteau came 10 me six years ago and requested
me to help him attract notice TO lecture OF his on
The Coming CT Christ, Viewed from a Lawyers
Standpoint jokiugly inquired of him as to what
possible interest a lawyer could have in subjects Of
hat nature, and his answer | never forgot. In
fact. it has been to me the key to his
subsequent conduct. especially since the
ASSASSINATION. lie said that the only way,
nowadays, to get following was by as
Stunning to act as the direct agent of God, and
that with a backing of the superstitious thou
sands, an easy thing to acquire if rightly
worked at, came all the money one wants with
good time generally, and fame eventually. lie said
that the old prophets and Christ were immortalized
this way without having very good time while
living: but that now Moody and all the other popu
lar preachers. called of God had both money aud
fame This is what am after said Guiteau
1T struck me-" said the relator. " that here was
thoroughly keen and mercenary man, who was
bent on developing into an impOstor of the worst
kind AT that time he neatly dressed and
quite genteel-oOking person. with small but
shapely body very graceful, in a Frenchy way, and
his face and head, covered with well-kept growth
of fine brown hair putting HIM above the average
in an appearance of intelligence"
"You saw his writings at that time 7"
Eyes He presented manuscript. well written
and particularly we'll punctuited and capitalized
for one not in the editorial profession. Ii was clear
and cIcon copy ready for the printers hands.
After thar interview met him reveral times lie
as very busy, preparing to lecture IN Chicago and
through the country. learned that he had gwen
ND his law practice because no mad worn out the
confidence of his clients, from his dishonest
methods in his efforts TO get into notice. He became
plague to all the local journalists of Chicago and
wore them out, too, never being satisfied with ths
notices which given him. and even solcitlEb
more. He was Quick-tempcred, and would get
passionately angry when told that no more pulls
could be secured.
"From Chicago Guteau moved all over the West,
and met no positive success as lecturer. but dld
succeed in earning the title of hotel dead-beat
in the provincial papers His subsequent history as
political hanger-on and would-be stump-speaker, -
well known. and too well known is his history as
disappointed o1ice-seeker aud iassin."
I "What do you suppose lis motive III killing
Garfeldp
az believe il was purely through anger and dis
appointment with the addition OF the nope that ne
could easily escape punishment, ana at length
branch out, rs other criminals had before MN. III
the sensational lecture held" At
"What other pecullarltes did you notice In Gul-
teau besides those spoken OF y
BESIDES being bright ambitious, conscienceless
and of desperate tendencies. Guiteau was very
brazen in the presence of pretty women. Ills stare
whenever one was near him. very offensive,
and 80 long as a woman with good looks was present
he would drop all conversation TO study her lace
and figure. Yet in this thing as III his general cOh-
Duct he was not unlike many other men that yOu
meet 70 sum il all up, Guiteau as lawyer was
dishonest and unsuccessful as lecturer ana evan
eellst he was equally unsuccessful; aud as poliu-
cian and ofice-seeker he also baied TO the point
of committing a desperate act. His mind remained
and me acted his part without break until his neck
was broken"