The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-03
MRS. scov1LLE,s DEVOTION.
The Bouquet Which She Constructed for ths
Assassin of Garfield.
Washington Special.


Washington Special
The cabinet of curiosities at the dead-lettes
Office contains, among other articles of interest
a lock of Charles Guiteau's hair 1t was sent
by the assassin to young lady who had written
him sympathizing letter, but by some means ID
was never called for, and eventually found ita
way to the deadletter Office. General Crockett
the warden of the jail says Guiteau received
more letters of coincidence than people were
aware of. For weeks after the assassination his
mail was very heavy, and would frequently
exceed hundred letters day Most of these
communications were abusive in character, and
in many cases threatening Occasionally q
crank like Guiteau would write, anonymously,
commencing him for his act.
lis it true that Mrs. Scoville attempted to
cheat the gallows by presenting her brother with
a poisoned bouquet" was asked.
1T is, replied the General "The night pre-
cedng the execution Mrs. Scoville called to SEQ
him. She was told she could not, except in my
presence, and that was at home i'll. She carried
In her hand beautiful bouquet of roses. She
asked permission to present them to her brother,
which was granted. As she handed the flowers
through the grating she said, Notice the center
flower especially. 1t is white and emblematic
of your own purity and holiness of purpose
She then departed. took the notion to drive
over to the jail that night My responsibility
was rapidly drawing to an end, and | wanted
to be sure everything was in ship
shape. When was told about the bouquet L
was anything wrong about it. l merely asked
for it as a matter of precaution. Upon being
told what Mrs. Scovile had said about the white
flower. 1 examined it more carefully, and discov-
cred that il was detached from the Others and
supported by a long, slender stick, which had
evidently been forced into the center Of the
bouquet after it was finished. This rather I'M
usual arrangement aroused my suspicious. While
examining it more closely, a white, powdefy
substance fell into my hand. sent for one of
the chemists of the Smithsonian Institute. who
pronounced it arsenic, in sufficient quantities
to kill half dozen men. Mrs Scoville's idea
really nothing more and in this way escape the
galows by committing suicide"
"Why didn't Guiteau do thisp
II don't think he understood the significance
Of his sisters remarks If be had it is not prob
able that he would have taken advantage of her
Spartan kindness He did not abandon all hope
of reprieve until the last moment. He was an
arrant coward"
WAS there any affection between him and his
family?~
Very little Guiteau himself was as cold az
a fish. / shall never forget Mrs. Scoville's last
interview with him. Said she: We'll. Charlie,
suppose you must die. / trust you are pre-
pared
'''Oh yes,' grunted the assassin I'm all
right
And you'll go to heaven, Charlie, dear, and
you'll meet cur mother there You'll be glad to
see her, won't your
I" Il don't know whether will or not replied
Guteau, to whom the conversation was obvious
ly unpleasant. 1 suppose if she comes around
TO see me shall treat her decentlv, but l don't
care anything about her. / never took much
stock in my relations, anyhow