Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-07-23
SENSATIONAL, LIZ NOT True.
Startling but Rather Vague
Story of q Great Con-
spiracy.
Guitsau bat q Tool


A Long Branch correspondent OF the
NV York Herald prints an interview
which he is SAID 70 have had with Col.
Corkhill a few days prior 70 the latter's
death, in watch Corkhill assured him that
the assassin Guitcau was only one OF
number OF persons engaged i'll the con-
spiracy against President Garfield. The
interview created profound sensation In
Washington where he scenes and incidents
OF the famous trial so well remembered.
Although the inter view fails 70 give Tho
names of the persons associated with
Guiteau, and is very sensational In It's
character, il is believed to be in main cor
rect Col. Corkhi! never made any secret
of the fact that Guiteau was only the tool
of cleverer and more prominent rascGls
than himself. He has repeatedly stated in
private conversations that the real inside
history of the assassination had never been
made public He declared that there were
powerful reasons for enshrouding these
matters with veil OF secrecy,
but promised that they should be careful
ly written up and made public after his
death. 1t is doubtful, however, if he did
this, for he was somewhat given TO pro-
crast nation, and there was apparently no
good reason for haste. His family, how
ever, promise TO make a careful examina-
ton Of all of the Colonels papers and If
the documents referred to have an exist
ence they will ultimately find their way
into print. Col. Corkhill was not alone in
the belief that Guiteau was only one OF
several conspirators. DR.. kempster or
Wis, who gave expert testimony in the
case, repeatedly assured your correspond
ent of this fact. One incident in support
of this theory was related by DR.. Kemp
ster in these words: During the early
progress Of the trial Cuiteau found him
| self badly in need of money. In his
/ brusque, straightforward way he an
! nounced in the court room one day that
/ he wanted hundred dollars and that If it
wasn't forthcoming Immediately there
were certain people who would regret IL.
! Probably nobody but myself paid any at
tention TO the remark. | satisfied my
curiosity, however, by discovering the
next day that he was well provided with
funds. / don't know how much, but am
quite certain it could not have been less
than the sum demanded.h
"Do you think il was sent to him by his
fellow conspirators!' was asked.
He replied Il never had the slightest
/ doubt Of il, nor have | ever had any
perfectly sane man. he was no more In
sane than you or L.
The manner in which Col Corkhill ac-
CURED his latest information is told by the
correspondent as follows:
just one week ago this afternoon | met
Col. George b. Corkhill in the House cor
ridor Of the capitol at Washington. De
was suffering from unusual agitation, 1t
was evident. At first he declined to ex-
plain, but ultimately he exclaimed: II
can't endure the reproaches that have
been cast upon my conduct OF the Gulteau
case any longer. My professional pride
revolts at the injustice that has been
heaped upon me. Only yesterday | was
accused TO my face of having hanged an
insane man, but to-day, thank God, have
been put in possession of facts that render
it possible for me TO speak about the assas-
sination Of Garfield in way that will
drive at least two public men into social
ostracism. 1t came TO me by accident,
and most curlously."
"HOw!n
IL was sitting at my home in tho Port
land this forenoon thinking of my coming
vacation trip TO the west when the SER
want announced a lady. | am not in tho
habit of having callers Of that sex. i sent
word that II a client she could find me at
my office at about o'clock. The woman
would not take such an answer, and the
maid returned TO say that the visitor was
awaiting me in the drawing room. Well,
when | entered the room II tall woman
though you have caused me great deal
of misery Hooked closely at the speaker,
and replied that i certainly never had seen
her before. When she had taken a seat at
my suggestion she continued: Very true;
yet you hanged one husband of mine. and
now, as an act that Will partially Offset
that mischance, / want you TO help me Sc
cure pension for another. Will you do
iti' But, madam who are youl' Il was
once the wife of Charles Guiteau' In
deed, are you the wife we heard so much
about, but never could fnds'
81 am she. Here is my marriage certii-
cate and she produced much-crumpled
document. Here is his photograph and
she produced picture of the assassin
wholly unlike any had ever seen, but nm
mstakably the face of Guiteau. Contrary
tU general belief Guiteau had been re-
markably fne-looking man in his day.
More, than that my friend she produced a
bundle of letters-letters, sir, that made
my breath fail me. She promised them to
me if | would aid her TO rights. l had the
precious bits of manuscript in my fingers,
one at time, for she corraled them as
though they were diamonds / consented
TO undertake her case. Those letters are
TO be my fee. They are more than life to
me, my boy They are revenge"
We had descended the marble stairway.
"Wait till | see a member of the House
committee on pensions TO verify what this
! woman told me. -
Col. Corkhill was gone ten minutes.
Standing in the corridor near the telegraph
| office | waited his return. When the law
yer returned he took the writer by the
arm and said:
she told the truth. Her bill for relief
has passed the Senate. 1t will be brought
up here Friday next, if possible. Now
! come TO the Portland.n
a hansom took us down the hill and up
Fourteenth street The distressed and
thoroughly vengeful lawyer poured his
story into my ears. At the time and until
he should give the signal, it was regarded
as sacred confidence. That signal cap
never be made, Col. Corkhill is dead.
A Reckless Shooter Convicted.