St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-06
INTERESTING INTERVIEW.
William Cook Tells How He Predicted
Garfeld's Assassination = Did
Guiteau Have Accomplices9
The Star Route Trial and the Influence that
Secured Attorney General Brews-
ter's Appointment.
Especial Telegram to the GLOBE. /


WASHINGTON, March 5.-Mr. VIM. Cook,
who was quoted by ex-Postmaster General
James in his testimony before the Springer
committee, was the first counsel employed
by the government in the prosecution of
the star route cases. Mr.. James said
that Mr.. Cook notified President
Garfield several days before the assassination
that some dire calamity would befall him as
the result of the contest between the stall
warts and half-breeds, together
with the star route trials. In
ami interview tonight Mr.. Cook acknowledged
that he did so warn the president on the
Wednesday prior to the shooting. He told
Garfield that the star route people-or some
of them at least-came from section of
country where lawlessness reigned SUI
preme, and while he would not accuse
any one either by implication 1or otherwise
it would be well if he were on his guard. He
also added that in case the president was
assassinated the postmaster general and at
torney general would also share the same
fate. At the conclusion of his remarks the
president replied that he did not anticipate
any resort to violence, but it was manifest
the suggestion inspired him with some fear
After the assassination Mr.. Cook address
ed q letter to McVeagh protfering his servi-
ces in the trial of Guiteau without compensa-
ton. He said this with
view to being in position where
he could carefully examine all
the facts that might have tendency to show
whether Or not Guiteau had any accomplices
directly or indirectly. He never received any
response to the letter and soon after
it was determined to conduct the trial
upon the assun ption that it was his own
act. In the execution Of this purpose every
ore was excluded from communication with
Guiteau except through the Office of the dis
trict attorney. Mr.. Cook inclnes strongly
to the belief that the assassin did
have concealed aud artful associates.
If such really was the case he passed away
loyal to them and may well have done so IN
der the impression at the last moment that
he would in some way be protected or saved
and when he realized that escape was impos-
sble the popularity of his mind was
such that he would naturally decide to make
a page in history himself and pass off the
stage as the sole hero in the transaction.
There are possibilities or conceptions that
may or may not be correct, but up to this
time they have never been fully pursued.
THE STAR ROUTE TRIALS.
Passing to the management of the star
route trials Mr. Cook said: "Shortly after
Col. Bliss came into the case it was evident
that he proposeg to act Independently in the
matter. He limited mysteriously that Mac
Veagh's successor would be man whom
he had suggested to the president
for the position. Color was given to this
subsequently by an admission made by Mr..
Brewster that he was largely indebted to Col.
Bliss for the seat in the cabinet. Bliss ruled
matters with high hand and eventually
both Cook and Gibson were forced out of the
case"
Mr. Cook was asked why it was that only
the small fry were indicted while the larger
fish were allowed to escape scot free. To
this he said: at is not easy to say although
it is we'll known that the
parties most deeply implicated were
never even lnQlcL2Q. IL could not
have been because there was no case
against them, for facts were in the govern
nent's possession tending to show that they
we're far more guilty than either Dorsey or
Brady. 1t is certain that Sanderson was
embraced in the first indictment in
connection with Dorsey and the
others, but suddenly the Indictment was
quashed. It is Furthermore true that in the
second Indictment he was left out entirely
1t is also capable of proof that he had inter
views with active attorneys of the govern
ment and others during the period
that interviewed between the quash-
ing of the first and the
finding of the second indictment and that he
was in Washington at the Arlington, where
Bliss was living at the time. Before leaving
Washington Sanderson told his friends con-
fidentially that he might return home in safe
t. as Bliss had promised him he would not be
embraced in thesnew Indictment