River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-07-06
WAS SINNED AGAINST
A Guiteau Story That Has Never
Before Been Printed.
The Crank Was Promised nm ONCE
by Campaign OHeial - Disnp-
pointment Finally Drove
Him Wildly Mad.
Especial washington Letter.l


Tom Cavanaugh has been deputy SER
geant-at-arms of the republican ma
tional committee, and in that capacity
has participated in half dozen presi-
Dental campaigns. He has intimate
knowledge of public affairs.
whenever the anniversary of the as
sassination of President Garfield rolls
around" says Mr.. Cavanaugh, Il am
reminded of my part in that tragedy.
In 1850 the crank, Guiteau, came to ma
tional headquarters at PAL Fifth avenue,
New York city, and daily demanded
audience either with Chairman Jewell
or Secretary Hooker. i put him OF on
various pretexts, until he annoyed and
fretted me beyond endurance.
You know that cranks are thicker'n
flies about national committee head
quarters. They all have schemes and
new political plans whereby the enemy
will be overthrown. Well, Guiteau had
an idea that, with financial aid, he could
make speeches in French for Garfield,
and carry the French quarters of New
York and Chicago. He wanted to work
for the republican party, and he wanted
money. All of these cranks have
money-making idea back of their
schemes.
1T has always been my duty to see
these fellows first, and keep them away
from the managers, if possible. But
this fellow, Guiteau, was so persistent
that finally told Secretary Hooker to
see him, make him promise of some
kind, and get rid of him. Well, at last
Hooker saw him, told him that his
scheme was a good one, but the com
mittee had already covered that field in
another way, and told him that his zeal
would be rewarded after Gartield's cleo
ton. That satisfied Guiteau, and he
ceased annoying me. l heard after
ward that he was out west somewhere
making speeches ON his own hook, and
working for the ticket. | never knew
where he got the money with which to
defray his expenses.
Early in March, 1881, saw the
same fellow at the white house. /
smiled to myself, thinking how easily
l had gotten rid of him, and wondering
how the white house people would dis
pose of him. l saw him frequently
about the public parks, and finally
heard that he had shot the president. l
was surprised, because, although l
| knew him for a crank, never for a mo-
ment believed that he was of the dam
gerous variety.
81 originally made the suggestion
that promise be made to him to get
rid of him. That is an old trick with
politicians, but have never since made
a promise that / didn't intend to carry
out. There was no sincerity whatever
in the promise that was made TO Gui-
teau. The poor crank believed that he
was bound to get some good office.
President Garfield saw him twice and
listened to his story. Guiteau wanted to
be sent as consul to Lyons, France.
President Garfield told him that, if
Hooker made that promise, it should
be kept. This also elated Guiteau.
Hooker afterwards saw Garfield, and
thereafter Garfield refused to see Gui-
teau.
He went to the white house every
day until the middle of June. Then,
When ne was reIuSeu PERMISSION 10 see
the president, he stated to several of the
white house employees that he had called
for the last time. He never called
again. He was never seen about the
white house. His disappointment had
worn upon his nerves for many weeks.
Finally. when the president refused to
see him, he became violently insane.
From that day his one aim was to find
an opportunity to commit murder.