The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-02-22
A SISTERS SORROW.
Pathetic Letter From Mrs. Seoyille to
Mrs. Garfield.
safely Keep Him From Doing any More
Harm, but Forgive Him"

A Chicago special to the Tmes-Star of
last night saws:
CHICAGO. Feb. 16.-The following letter was sent
by registered letter. yesterday. written by Mrs.
scoyille, sister OF Guiteau, to Mrs. Garfield:
"Lucretia Garfield, Cleveland, O.:
DEAR MADAM-Hu-zbly address You trusting
you will not turn deaf ear even upon despised
Guiteau S sister. All these weary months have
patiently waited until the time should come for
lieved would be mot guilty by reason of insanity
could say without shame-facedness that my
heart bleeds for you and the sainted dead. My
he fired that shot Forgive and look
with compassion on him and me-
have counted the hours for the time
when should boldly say to you, as 1 have said
from the moment when the terrible news was
brought me, ON that dark day in July, he was
brain sick deluded crazy Forgive MIN, even As
Christ shall forgive US ali. Both our martyred
President and his family having shown such an
example of Christian fortitude and trust in the
me to hope that the sense of wrong uttered
would. when the truth was shown, be tenn
pefed with that mercful forgiveness which Is in
deed Christike. All those dreadful weeks of the
Presidents suffering | prayed that the Father
above us all would spare his life. Day ard night
my beseeching cry went I'D God save the Presi-
dent thought he could not die. When the
people of the whole world called nightly unto
Him TO interp0se in his behalf / said,
surely He will show forth HIS glory; but
alas, the tenderest care of wife. family and
friends the prayers of the people, couldnot move
the Ruler of the Universe TO cOunterr1and the de-
crees OF His ail-wise and mysterious providence;
could not keep his poor, d. spoiled body, his
grandly beautiful soul. Despite the vigils the
tears and the prayers of his family of the Nation
of The world, the midnight bells were tolled, the
midnight cry was heard. Inc President is dead! =
We gazed upon the lifeess clay. 'GoDel. Gone,
to dwell with the glOrifed saints of the Lord. and
we shed our tears without stint. and we said is
there no Goo Truly IL was grievous wrong. The
Lord and He alone can Judge where lies
the neral responsibility. This people are in His
hand. They walk on holy ground; it BELTS them
that they see 70 IL, putting off their feet the I'M
clean shoes of their worldly walking. being shOd
with the sandals of righteousness, that they tread
carefully tenderly to the end, that Justice and
truth and mercy shall prevail. IN july when il
was reported that the suffering President
was likely to. recover. wrote a
Ie%te 6rotber y9 } ans sang btn the Of f ti
thinking that both yourself aud the President
wouli be glad TO know that poor, crazy man
had done the deed, instead OF the hardened
ported that the President interested in every
thing regarding the terrible affair, that he even
said ies,derly; I wonder what that poor fellow
| Oh that might know from his own wife If that
were true! Thesainted Garfield knows from that
he had do it,, aud feel sure If he could speak
forgive him. safely keen him from doing any
more harm, but forgive him.
~ never sent the letter. The report came al
most immediately that the President worse
and knew you would not wish TO be troubled
with anything from Guiteau's sister. l had hoped
by waiting to come before you with better show.
ing, v1ndcated so far Insanity is an excuse fol
crime, but my heart burns within and, not
outstanding that unjust verdict and oarbarou:
sentence, Unjust speak Ny brother is shut away
| from the world for months in a tomb-like cell
not ray of sunshine, not a blade OF grass. no
a flower. not bird, not a friend to speak a klnc
word. Who is there to speak IN his behalf
| If not his hearI-Droken sister, Did / not speak
the very stones would cry out. His sainIec
MOI heI. the purest and ronlest of women-tha
mother who gave her life for his, who suffered
torture for seven long years because OF his birth
until death made her free; that father, tende
Il and kind, but mistaken in his direction OF tn,
/ boy. would If possible, make their voices hearC
from beyond the grave even IS verify believe
would the gloTifed Garfield cry out il
L horror at that verdict. What of that verdict
Was it according 70 TRUTH justice and mercy?'
| Mrs. ScOville tnel reviews in her own way tn
evidence and incidents Of the trial, during whicl
she SAYS Gulteau was mot born right raised RICH
| nor married right She concludes follows:
| Pour forth To- your merciful heart the plead
ingS of one who must ever feela sisters love 10
! an insane. motherleSs boy, even though by tn
| whole world condemned and despised. L be
you, let me say you and yours what he woul
say il in his right mind: Forgive, even as Chris
shall forgive us all With the utmost sorrow an
! respect remain sincerely yours
FRANCES II. ScoVILLE,'
| 532 West Monroe street.