Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1881 — THE GUITEAU TRIAL. [ARTICLE]

THE GUITEAU TRIAL.

Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin of Rreaidenj Garfield, was arraigned for trial qn the charge H of murder ih the Supfeme Court ibf the Dhtrict of Columbia; at Washington, bn Monday, Nov. 14. Every - Seat in the court-room wwF filled. The assassin, dressed in a shiny suit of black broadcloth, was escorted into court by two officers. He took a seat beside his sister, Mr. Robinson being on the other side..'. The officers sat immediately be-' bind him, .and one .of them, over, unfastened the handcuffs from Guiteau’s wrists. Tne prisoner then shook hands with his brother and sister, handed the latter a small pamphlet Mid package of paper, and - then arranged the articles on the table before him, rather as if he had been the counsel than the accused. He appeared much more collected than at Lis arraignment, and had nothing of the frightened look that marked him at that time. When all was quiet Mr. Robinson addressed the court, asking for more time before trial. He said he had reason to know that ho could get needed assistance as counsel before long, and that he had some witnesses who could not get there before Dec. 1. He was willing to give the court the names of said witnesses. As Mr. Robinson sat down Guiteau arose and said : “If your Honor please, I desire to address tho court. I did hbt know that my counsel was ready to make his speech this morning. I desire to speak for myself. lam here on a murderous charge, and I desire to be heard in my own defense.” “ This is not the time to enter upon the defense,” said Judge Cox, quietly. “It is only a question whether more time is necessary for preparing the defense.” “It is not needed,” said Guiteau. “We are ready to go on with the case now.” Mr. Robinson smiled at this and asked Guireau to sit down. The prisoner said: “You keep stilL” But he did sit down, muttering, as he did so : “ We are ready to go ahead now. ’ CoL Coikhill said he saw no reason why the time should be extended. Mr. Robinson made an affidavit that the soles ground on which he asked delay was in order to get the necessary witnesses and counsel. He said he was practically alone in the case and needed some one. There was developed an evident split between Messrs. Scoville and Robinson, * Mr. Scoville, addressing the court, said that Mr. Robinson’s application was made without his knowledge, which was certainly a strange proceeding, i inoe he had not even seen the affidavit nor heard what counsel hoped to get. For his part he was ready to go on with the trial. He knew he was incompetent to go ahead without assistance, but he had hoped without Mr. Robinson’s assistance to be able to proceed. Even now be hoped to be of some assistance to Mr. Robinson, but if he was to go on m this way, he (Scoville) should withdraw. Here Guiteau jumped to his feet' and eaid, in an excited manner’: “I indorse every word he says. Robinson came into this case without consulting me, and I don’t like tne way he talks. I order him peremptorily to withdraw from the case.” Mr. Robinson renewed his application. Mr. Scovil'e claimed tho near relatives of the prisoner should al least know who was expected to come for the defense. Guiteau again interposed : “We don’t want Robinson, anyway. This is peremptory am| he must go.” | Mr. Scoville went on: “If we have time enough we could get counsel good enough and plenty without money, but if the court is going to give us time and at the same time assign counsel I don’t agree with it” With this Guiteau jumped up again. Rapping the table with his knuckles, he said : “Mr. Scoville is next io me in this case. I intend to do this business myself. Robinson •is not ■ wanted.” ‘ The officers tried to keep him quiet, but he told them to mind their own business. He was in the presence of the court, and would talkwhen he felt like it. Col. Corkhill asked the court to try to keep the prisoner quiet, whereupon Guiteau sat down, saying be would do whatever the court wished him to. After that ho was comparatively quiet. Judge Cox then said he was inclined to give l the defense a little more time. He intends that the prisoner shall have at les st a fair trial, but he thought it would perhaps bo better to allow the case to proceed so far as the of a jury, leaving it for counsel to arrange for time and a future continuance, and for additional counsel. Mr. Scoville said it should be understood that he should not even question a juror until he knew exactly who was to be associated -with him and Mr. Robinson in the defense. The court said no one could be assigned without Mr. Scoville’s consent. Mr. Scovillo and Mr. Robinson both expressed themselves satisfied with this arrangement, and the j nry panel was then taken up; The court explained that it was a wrong interpretation of law to demand on such a jury only those persons who had formed no opinion. The only absolutely disqualified persons were those who had formed an opinion that ‘could not be changed by any evidence whatsoever. * The first four of the jury panel stated distinctly and finally that they had opinions which no evidence could change,’and they were speedily excused. The fifth seemed all right until asked if he had any scruples as to capital punishment. He smiled as he answered in the affirmative, and seemed glad to get out of it. The sixth thought he could giro a verdict in aoeordan with the evidence, though he had repeatedly said he should hang tho prisoner. This man was in the hardware business. Mr. Scoville said the juror was'.not wautetx The next man was a mechanic. Hfii had an opinion, though not very decided', 5 thought he could give a fair verdict. Mr. Scoville asked as to his politics and religion. Judge Parker, of the prosecution, objected. Mr. Scoville said he desired to know something of the juror’s conscience before knowing whether he might exercise the right to a peremptory challenge. That was all he was driving at. He was willing to let that question rest unt Ihe could present authorities. This man was Wil'iam P. O’Donnel, aud in his case the defense made their first jieremptory challenge. The eighth was excused because ho held firmly to the opinion formed iiiimei’iiti iy after the shooting. The ninth man was John Hamlin, a well-known restauranter of Washington. He answered all questions satisfactorily, some as to whether he held to any infidel belief. He was accepted by the defense, and was duly sworn as the first juroß, Five jurors have been obtained and sworn in. Their names and occupations are as fol- x lov. s: John P, Karlin, restaurant-reaper ;' Fred Vv. Brandenber, cigar-maker ; Charles G. 3 ml, flour and feed dealer; Henry J. K-i-ht, retired from business; Thomas H. 1 .aug ey, grocer. Tho panel was exhausted after five juror's had been obtained, and at the suggestion of the District Attorney an order was issued for drawing seventy-five additional nanteS ffbm the box. The pr.soner at this point ’slowly rose and informed the court he would dike to make a speech to-morrow morning, but he was ordered by the court to take his seat. He then passed the manuscript of his speech to ft newspaper reporter, but before the latter couliT leave the court-room Scoville called him back and compelled him to return it. This raised the anger of the prisoner, who excitedly decia.red ho was not under control of his counsel; that he was a lawyer and knew law himself ; that when he wanted help he would ask for it: and that he desired his speech to be published fbr the purpose of influencing public opinion. He < was again silenced by the court, and it having been agreed that the sitting of the court should bo from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. daily, allowing half an hour for recess, the court adjourned, In the speech which Guiteau had prepared . for delivery in the court he says he is charged" with murdering one James A. Garfield. Nothing can be more absurd, because Gen. Garfield died of malpract ce. Gen. Garfield Was a good mau, but a weak politician. Being President he was in a position to do vast harm to tho republic, and he was doing it by the unwise use of patronage, aud the Lord and himself took the responsibility of removing hinj. That his duty to tile Lord and to the' American people overcame his personal, feelings toward Gen. Garfield, and he sought to remove him. Not being a marksman, Gen. Garfield was not fatally shot, but incompetent physicians finished the Work, and they, and not him, are responsible for his death. He then speaks of the breach in the Republican party, and his resolve to remove the President, and claims that the Deity ordered him to fire the shot. He refers to hia» work on theology, insanity in his family, his married life, and his hie in prison, and appeals to those whom he says he has put in 'position and to the general public to sfend hiin money for his defense. . : ; ■ . .. # • SECOND DAY. * ’■' "I ; There were few incidents of importance in

with the trial on the* 15th. Court Was formally opftned a few minutes after 10 o’clock, and immediate!/ cohnrel in utes Guiteau wfts httrried into the oorirt-room rtpicturtodyof balfry dozen policemed i&d (ifcpulv ’marshals TheffiaHleuffs were removed,'Mud he shook hands with his sister and brother, and took the seat reserved for him between them and liis jMginseL Scoville then submifted an affidavit and made an application for ah order “tot ’CTi'Admtionsr'number of witnesses, which order was made by the court. Then tho additional panel of. seventy-five summoned the preuwul us Kiß 'yetuetis responding when called. Guiteau, manifested less nervftuS eicitAi fifty than the day before, although in his whispered conversations with his brother he was- quite damorfatrative and earnest in his manner. A colored barber named Howard was the first juror to be called and examined as to his fitness to serve. His answers showed him to be nbt disqualified Iron* service, but the defonte chafkmged him pejAmptorily, behig the fourth peremptory challenge. Next .a man named Lynch, who had the decided opinion (hat Guiteau. ojjght to be hanged or burned. He was, of course, excused, as was also the next (named Bailey) who declared.- hjs ■. belief that Guiteau was crazy. The neit Was a colored magi, remarkabje for a frilled shirt front and draniftic posture and manner, who related the history of his past life and then was peremptorily challenged by the defense. In fact, it is understood Guiteau is resolved not to have a colored man on the jury.; The next was an Irishman named Michael Sheehan, with a very pronounced bregUe, Who had no opinion on the subject of Guiteau’s crime, except that “ the man was out of his head.” He was sworn as the sixth .juror. -■ >l* " William Talbott, an iron worker, having answered all questions’to the satisfaction of the defense, saying that he had “ never bothered his heaa” on the question of Guiteau’s guilt, was challenged peremptorily by the prosecution. Settral.others in succession were excused on the statement that they had firm and decided opinions. One of them believed GuiteAu ought to be hanged, and another would require convincing medical testimony to change his opinion. A long-faced young colored man named Foster, declared he was perfectly free from any prejudices in the matter, but be had mentioned-it‘(the murder of Garfield) to several parties as quite a serious accident. He was challenged peremptorily by the defense. Samuel T. Hobbs, a native of Maryland, a plasterer by occupation, answered all questions iatisfactorily, and was sworn in as the seventh uror. G. W. Gates, a young man, native of Washington, a machinist, was sworn as the eighth juror. After that, for about an hour, even man celled confessed he had formed “firm” or “decided” or “unaltered” opinions on the question of the prisoner’s guilt, and wan excused. There was one exception in the person of a colored man named Ralph Wnrmley (a plasterer by occupation) who thought he could render a fair verdict, and said he Dad not read more about the case than he did “in ordinary cases of that kind.” He did not believe everything he read in the newspa- - pere, because they had published things aboiit himself that were’ not true. He could not say whether the President was shot by the prisoner until he would hear the testimony. Of course, if an insane man did the shooting he would be as much guilty as Anybody eMe. The “crazy part of the business was something else.” No sensible man could have done such > a thing. After , consultation . • between counsel and prisoner and his brother Scoville saitfthe defense wouM-accept the’juror, and so Wormley was sworn in as the ninth juror. The list of seventy-five talesmen having been exhausted, the Marshal was ordered to summon another list of seventy-five, and the court adjourned. GuSean waa jeered And hissed as he left the court, and the cowardly wretch sought shelter behind a big policeman. THIBD DAI. At the opening of the third day of the Guiteau trial the court-room was filled to overflowing, the audience being a very respectable one. Court wag called to order, and during the calling names of jurors t.he prisoner was brought in. His appearance wias wild and excited. He tossed his hat upon the desk before and’, taming toward his brother-in-law,* Seville, hittiiedly wlfispbrad something to him iff majinor. The two entered into cbflYersatioft,’ aftd 'Gufteati, while speaking, used fist vigorously, as if insiot'inglifhn < matter WhiolFßcoville seemed to disapprove. The talesmen being called, Judge Cox questioned the first, E. I. Kengla, upon his feelings regwetng the prisoner. Kengli responded that he di?l not think thd'e’ 1 could pqssibly be sufficient evidence the. opiqiQn he had formed; The next talesman called was excused almost at once, having formed a decided opinion. «A laborer, named Thomas, declared ha had neither expressed nor forifled anopinion, cannot read, ana had never held any conversation whatever on tne subject. Scoville remarked that this man was about the kind of a juror thp l law contemplated, but the defense did not want him. Ho therefore challenged him peremptorily. 'A colored barber named Williams was called, and, having formed no opinion., was examined, read '‘deal onlhe subject. In response to an inquiry whether he had ever been a juror in a murder case, he said he had, but the jury disagreed. Thia remark caused considerable amusement’ throughout the room. After further questioning Mr. Williams was cxeußpd. Wilfiftm H. .cpmuijsifion 'ifi'etchant, being closely questioned by Scoville, **tand no objection being- advanecd 5, Wthfe Gfovernment, was accepted and duly sworn, making the tenth juror. George T. Keene, in. response to mter i-bgatorles, said there was nothing; under the’ sun which copld change the opinion he had formed, and several pthex gentlemen were as decided in their answer as tvas Keene. T. Heinlein, an iron worker, was sworn as the eleventh juror. Thomas H. Barron, carpenter and builder,- was accepted by tb6 ' defense, but the District Attorney preferred to excuse him, and interposed a peremptory Challenge. The next tafesman examined was"C, A-J? a y * -bdot and shDe manufacturer, who’ proved acceptable to the defense, but was peremptorily challenged by the Government. Joseph Prather, commission merchant, was accepted and sworn as th* twelfth juror. The oourfethen adjourned; Du4qg the examination of the talesmen, tht following stateffient was prepared ,by Guiteau, copied by Iris brother, And given to the press To the Legal Profession of America} I am on tri a for my life. I formerly practiced law in New Yorl and Chicago, and I wopose to take an active part in my defense, us T knbw taore about my inspiration and views in the casothjin any onp. Ut-other-in-iaw, George Scoville, Esq., is my only counselVand I hereto the legal profession of America for aid. I expeMto have money shortly so I otfn pay them. I . sha 1 get it partly from the settlement of an old mate ter in New York, and, partly from the sale of my books,'and par tfrSfoWßUblie contributions to mj defense.* My defense w#s published in the New York /Ji-.- iUfcil (Ms 8 afcff m my speech' published Nov. Js.(yesterday). , Any wejl,known lawyer of criminal 'capacity desiring tri participate in the defense wl" please telegraph without delay to George Scoviljef Washington, D. C. If, for any reason, an application beaef used-, the Maine will be withheld from ths phblic. . , •><Signes)u; » ill »' Chabxms Guiteau. In Court, Washington, D. C„ Nov. 16, 1881. FOUBTH DAY. i ■ Immediately after the opening of court < AkWltasel Kceville Okose to make a personal ex. in whicli he AaidVhere had been no .disagreemept between Jfimsolf and Robin son/* "as would appear from certain publications. At. this point Guiteau rose and objected to lw>bin» spn’i taUihg pai'C in Ms defense. He said he would manage his own case, and. wpuldn’lf truSt?' ) ’'Ro'biHß6n-‘ with anything, rs htf had no Re tbw court to understand him on this point and if t fc nowe*a%mit-rt fb the •eottnfir. *Tic represented the. DoUy. i»this arid' wished, tho court to uiraerstshd ft.' Continuing, he ‘said two or .tlxree blundwliuse l»iryer«‘<wonl<s*loife the case for him, and he.did not Propose to jqbmit to ’Unjthing of the kind. Th§ court informed tlfe' ’prisonerif be did pqt remain quiet; he would be removed from the room. The prisoner com versea in a very excited manner with his counbrother, nt intervals uidpg has clenched rfsru|tqii tne desk before hjmiiGan ex<isd|ngiy' . demon strati vunnanner. >. fj M . ®srtwcfeAta>rney Cbrthal bcApidUfatata ten minutes in delivering, his opening speech outlining the, pros.ecutipn. He indicated that if vas the purixMbof the proseAUbn te show that I Guiteau slew bis to gratify a spirit of revenge. During its delivery the prisoner as-. sOrtiflTan £ir of apjjarept iaffifferenoe, and dovot<JT himself tp,£he morning papers, scanning them hurriedly. TTho argunjent wm delivered by poL Corklull a, very effeative manner, t tears filling the eyes of many mtho audience, but tho countenaneo of the prisoner remained

unchanged. Toward the close of the argument he laid his newspaper aside and leaned back in his chair, covering his eyes with his hand, evidently endeavoring td conceal the emotion Which he undoubtedly felt He then drew ft package of manuscript from his pocket ana commenced writing in a hurried and nervous manner, The prisoner constantly shook his head in approval or disapproval of the statements made in argument by CoL Corkhill. At one time he interrupted the District Attorney, which action was called to the attention of the court by Judge Porter, of counsel for the prosecution. Judge Cox announced that it was within the power of the court to try the case in the absence of the prisoner, and if he persisted in his turbulent remarks he would cause him to be removed. Guiteau, in response, said: “ I will not do it again, your Honor, but I have very deep feelings in this case.” Mrs. Scoville, sister of the prisoner, cried bitterly during the delivery of the argument, and her little child could be seen appealing in an affectionate manner with : “Mamma, mamma, what is the matter ?’’ At the conclusion of CoL Corkhill’s argument there was long and continued applause. Secretary Blaine was then called to the stand by counsel for the Government, and testified that he knew James A. Garfield from 1863 to the time of his death. He said, on reaching the depot the morning of the assassination, the President turned to say good-by, but he insisted upon accompanying him to the car. He heard a pistol shot, followed almost immediately by another, and, thinking there was some trouble, touched the President for the purpose, of hurrying him onward. At this moment the President threw up his arms, exclaiming : “My God ! what is this ?” The Secretary, continuing, detailed the circumstances of the removal of the President to the White House and other matters pertaining to the shooting all of which have been published heretofore. In response to Col. Coikhill, the Secretary testiflea that Guiteau visited the department many times, seeking appointment to the Consul Generalship at Paris. He informed Guiteau there were no prospects of his receiving the appointment, and requested him to discontinue his visits. A number of letters from the files of the Siatc Department were identified by Secretary Blaine as having been received from the prisoner, after which they were road by the District Attorney. Secretary Blaine was cross-examined, and testified as to the locality of the shooting. He said he had received numerous letters from the prisoner, persistently urging to be assigned to speak in the Maine campaign. He at no time noticed anything which would indicate any derangement of Guiteau’s mind. Scoville, in questioning Blaine, referred to the difficulty which arose in the Republican party in New York after the appointment of Collector Robertson, and requested that the Secretary explain the situation as it existed. Secretary Blame answered a number of questions on the subject of the resignations of Senators Conkling and Platt and the controversy in the New York Legislature, and, upon being further questioned, suggested that he would make a political speech for the defence if it was desired. Scoville explained his reason for putting the questions, saying he desired to show the feeling of bitterness in political circles, with a view to proving the bearing it had upon the prisoner’s mind.

In reply to further questions, the Secretary stated that after the assassination of tbe President he paid little or no attention to the conflict in the New York Legislature, and in fact thought nothing of politics. He said he invented the term “stalwart” himself in 1875. The prisoner at once began to expostulate with Scoville, stating that he desired him to comply tvith his (Guiteau’s) wishes in the case, and if he did not do so there would be a big row. He v/as removed by bailiffs with difficulty. He desired to continue the conversation. Scoville paid no attention to his client. The Venezuelan Minister, Mrs. Sarah B. White, the janitress of the railroad depot, and R. A. Parke, the ticket agent, were called as witnesses in the order named, and gave the facts of tho assassination, already so well known, after which tbe court adjourned.

FIFTH DAY. Upon the opening of the court Scoville requested the court to take some measures to prevent the prisoner from giving to the public his unauthorized communications, and also to prevent the annoying interruptions of the prisoner in the court room. Tnis brought on a scene, during which Guiteau demanded that Scoville should go out of the case, insisting that he was no criminal lawyer an j had no sense; that he talked one thing to him in private and another in public. Scoville endeavored to explain to the court, but Guiteau became more and more excited, and addre sed himself alternately to the court, to Scoville and the bailiffs, who were endeavoring to keep him quiet. To the court—“l represent myself, your Honor, and I shall do as I please about counsel.” Then, turning to Scoville : “ You have no capacity, and I won’t have you manage my case.” Then, turning to the bailiffs, he shouted: “You mind your business, yoivaonfounded fools. You ain’t got no sense.” The court again stated to tho prisoner, in decided tones, that he would order his removal said proceed in his absence. To this Guiteau shouted, excitedly: “I don’t care if you do. The court in banc will reverse you. and I will get a trial. You have no right to remove me.” The court replied, in terms which seemed to convinceGuiteauof their sincerity: “Very well, I shall do so if you persist in any more disturbance; and there are precedents in this court for such rulings.” A whispered consultation between Guiteau and -Scoville followed, and the former, apparently convinced, subsided into absolute quiet and devoted himself to his papers. Ed A. Wagner was then called as a witness, but failed to respond. Joseph K. Sharpe was then sworn. He did not see the shooting, but, saw the prisoner attempting to escape and witnessed the arrest. , Ella M. Ridgeiy testified to hearing a conversation between Guiteau and a hackman, while the former was arranging to be driven to the 'cfemetery. She also witnessed the shooting and gave her evidence in a ejear and straight-for- , ward maimer. William F. Barker was called, but failed to appear. William S. Crawford, wagon-driver, saw the firing. Could not seethe President, but distinctly saw Guiteau aim and fire, and saw his arrest. He wag questioned by Scoville at some length, particularly as to how Guiteau wore his hat on that occasion, Guiteau put his hat on, remarking : “ They’re all mistaken on that hat business', this is the way I wear my hat.” The witness —“ Well, perhaps that is the way fie had it, only not quite so far back.”

Joseph R. Scott, Edmund L. Dubarry, Patrick R. Kearney, the policeman who arrested Guiteau, Byron R. Andrews, a newspaper correspondent, and J. Stanley Brown, private secretary to Gen. Garfield, were called as witnesses, and detailed various circumstances connected with the case of the prosecution. Guiteau, shortly before the adjournment for the day, jumped up in his seat, and, addressing the court, said : “ Your Honor, Judge Magru- ‘ der, of Maryland, has offered to assist me in this trial, and I want to invite him to meet me here Monday morning. I don’t know if Scof vllle knows about it, but I want him in the case. Scoville is doing splendidly, but I want him to have assistance. The only way I can get any- . thing before the public is to announce it in cbUrt.” *No objection was offered, and Guitean, apparently satisfied, busied himself with writing, occasionally turning to Scoville to assure him that Judge Magruder was a splendid man and ’ lie wanted him in the case. I Aquilla Barto, a colored hack-driver, testified relating .to Guiteau’s wish to hire a hack to take him to the cemetery. Barton said the prisoner did not look at all excited or peculiar. <" He was perfectly cool; told me to keep cool and not get excited. He knew what he was looking for.” Witness was asked if the prisoner appeared to have lost any flesh since that time, and replied, “ I think he looM a little thinner than he did.” . At this point Guiteau, who appeared both interested and amused at the witness’ replies, said: “ Just here it might be well to say that I have had to-day the first square meal since the 2d of July.” This sally raised a laugh, in which Pjfite&u joined heartily. Counsel Scoville notified the court and the prosecution that the defense in the case would betasanity. “' An lowa dog has cost its owner $950 in damages for bites, and the man declares that impecunious neighbors hang around on purpose to be bitten, knowing thdt he settled the claims promptly. It is hard to decide whether to class this H fact or a biting sarcasm. . If God is on your side, you Wied not fdar ftjl the com bined powers ojj earth.