Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-09
NKw YORK, July s.

NEW YORK. July s.
With the death of Ex-District Attorney
Corkhill of Washington, who convicted Quit
eau, dies the narrative that he was preparing
for publication of his firm belief ill deep
conspiracy that was ably planned and resulted
in the death of President Garfield. A cores
pondent of the Herald writing from Long
Branch details most remarkable interview
with the late Elk. District Attorney. just
previous to his death. during this interviews,
Corkbill stated to the correspondent that he
could no longer stand the odium and re-
proach that had been cast upon his con-
duct of this Guiteau case, and his profession
al pride revolved at the indignation and
injustice that had been heaped upon him. He
was greatly agitated and after considerable
urging, imported to his listener that he had
only that day come into possession of facts
that would permit him to speak in such a
manner about the dastardly assassination of
Garfield, that At least two public men would
be driven into social ostracism. The facts
upon which he based the remarkable assertion
came into his possessions so he asserted to the
correspondent. through the medium of a
woman who was once the wife of Guiteau and
about whom so much was said and such great
interest centered during the trial. The inter-
view with Col Corkhill is most dramatic.
Indeed, are you the wife we have heard so
much about but could never find?" inquired
the Colonel. 81 am. There is my marriage
certificate" and she produced much
crumpled document. "Hera is his photo
graph" and she showed picture of the
assassin, wholly unlike any l had ever seen,
but unmistakably the face of Guiteau. Con
trary to the general belief he had been re-
msrksbly fine looking man in his day.
.l.xs H. ..x
letters, sir, that made my breath fail me. She
promised them to me if would aid her to her
rights. had the precious bits of manuscript
in my fingers, on at time, for she corralled
them as though they were diamonds. con-
sented to undertake her case. These letters
are to be my fees. They are more than life
to me; they are revenge" That woman
sought CorkhllPs services to aid her in her
securing a pension. The Colonel then left
the Herald correspondent to verify the wo-
mans statement in regard to her pension
claim and after ten minutes absence re-
turned and stated she had told the truth and
that the her bill for relief had passed the
Senate already.
Then Col. Corkhill told the story of his
belief in the deep conspiracy to assassinate
Garfield. At that time, and until the signal
should be given, it was regarded as sacred
confidence. The signal can now never be
given that will release the story to the world,
Col. Corkhill is dead. but the correspondent
throws out the following hints without viol-
ating his trust.
Col. Corkhiil claimed to be able to show
by legal evidence, appointments and long
talks regarding the removal of Garfield
held over luncheons at Rudoiph's, and in 8
certain basement restaurant He believed in
extricate and calmly developing the conspir-
acy, whose plot covered even the flight of the
assassin to Europe.
Corkhill said he knew the name of the ves-
sci under which steteroom was taken for
Guiteau and the identty of the gentlemen
who were to assist him in his flight. Dates,
names of men and steamers were at his ting-
er's ends. 1t was the most horrible crushing
array of allegations, correct or incorrect, that
my ears ever heard. The romantic incident
of that solemn hour at the Portland, where
the production of the mutilated Guteau let
ter, about which Corkhill had been so de
famed was the fitting into the yawning space
of the missing piece of paper. 1t matched
exactly.
Upon it were two names. though it con-
tanned exactly two and one-half lines of
scripture. Corkhill eyes were aiame as he
pointed to one of the names aud muttered
land it was for him | damaged my profes-
sional career beyond recall, for him | gave
| odds on defeat" But the man who spoke is
dead. He was to have been here next week
He will never come.