The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-25
TIE A1TEMPr TO INSURE GU1rEAU.
A Joke That Helped 10 XIII Deathbed Insur-
hnce In pennsylvania.

READING, July 24.-For tho first time the story
OF the pretended effort to insure Guiteau's life
has been made public here. The scheme WAS
conceived by two young lawyers, and, although
they began it as a Joke. there were many who
took II seriously. One OF its results was TO help
TO kill "deathbed insurance in the eastern
part OF the United States.
Garfield was shot in July. 1881, and the trial
Of the assassin began in November, 1851, and
ended with n verdict of guilty on Jan. rs, 1882.
Guitesu was hanged on June 80. 1882. At
this time the deathbed insurance craze was at
high-water mark. many OF the companies taking
all kinds OF risks. One evening in February,
1882. two young attorneys here were talk
ing of Guitcau. for whom an application for a
new trial had Just been made. One Of the at
torneys suggested that they attempt TO insure
Guitcau's life. as a means OF bringing ridicule
on tho " graveyard companies" They talked OF
1t to a resident Of Reading who at that time
held u political Office in Washington. He en-
tered into tho joke and thought he could
arrange the Washington end OF the affair.
Going back to Washington. the Berks county
politician told a newspaper man there of tho
business of the insurance companies in Reading,
and also OF the scheme OF insu-ing Guiteau.
Meanwhile, the attorneys made written appli-
cation for 100000 insurance on Guiteau's life.
The application nearly got the jokers into
trouble, Among tho many lie insurance COM
panies In Reading at the time was ono that did
not properly come under the designation OF
deathbed company. By accident a blank Of this
and forw arded to the Washington newspaper
man. His part was to take it TO Gu!teau and
try to secure his signature.
The reporter visited Guiteau and told him
that, n hrm of insurance agents In Reading,
thinking. that no might secure n new trial and
eventually escape the gallOws. considered him a
good risk and wanted to insure him for $780,;
900. The reporter gave Guiteau to understand
that neither he nor his friends would have to
pay, any Of the assessments; that would be at:
tended to In Reading, Guiteau was also told
that the agents would make 1t worth his while
to sign the application. Although no figures
should he be executed; Guiteap listened TO the
paper man, and told him he thought the entire
matter a joke. The reporter knew 1t was, but
did not say 50. Guiteau declined TO sign then.
appeared with n long article, saying that a
graveyard insurance company at Reading
wanted to place 81 90, 900 insurance on Guiteaus
nfe, ,The namo or the company was given. Tho
article was in the form OF an exposure and said
That large sums OF money had been offered TO
sSssf fe SS To tS. a slsnsfS|rs h sna th AZ q l nsSs s Wa.
sent all over the country subsequently.
hy this time tho Reading originators OF tho
scheme were beginning TO And That they had
succeeded beyond their expectations. Tho
officers OF tho company whose name was con-
nected with the affair went on u still hunt for the
schemors, and lawsuits were threatened. Then
the New York and New England papers took
w ne subject. Long articles appeared calling
attention to the death6ed or graveyard insur'
sylvania, and especially in Reading. Next the
Insurance papers of England took up the matter.
They cited the Pennsylvania deathbeds AZ sam
pies OF American life Insurance. One daily paper
In San Francisco called tho attempt to insure
Guiteau u disgrace on humanity. II IL said by
those conversant with their affairs that the
Guiteau episode. as much as anything else, as
sisted In Wiping out deathbed insurance concerns.