TRIAL OF GUITEAU.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2754, 20 January 1882, Page 2

TRIAL OF GUITEAU.

Guiteau’s trial is exciting great astonishment and indignation (says an American correspondent of Deo. 20.1 The lack of dignity by the Court, the liberty of action and' license allowed the prisoner, and the irregular modes 'of taking evidence, have surprised English and American lawyers. Guiteau continually assails witnesses where the evidence does not please him with “Liar,” “Coward,” “ Sneak,” &c. His brother-in-law and counsel is lecturing to raise funds and sympathy, for him. The opinion is growing that he shot Garfield for notoriety. One witness said Guiteau told him he was going to Washington to imitate Booth. The experts summoned on either side held a stormy consultation, and agreed as to his sanity. The judge said he received 600 letters a day, threatening to avenge Garfield if Guiteau was acquitted. The following extracts from a telegraphic account of one day’s business at the trial (Dec. 16) conveys an idea of the extraordinary scones in Court which have caused surprise and indignation in America and England. Guiteau was ahead of Oorkhill this morning, and opened the Court with : “ To put in the time (looking over to the vacant seats with a chuckle), I understand that General Reynolds is ill this morning ; I wonder if Oorkhill is ? I guess they got more than they wanted

yesterday. It is about time for Corkhill to get srck and stay sick.” .General Reynolds was called. Guiteau at.once broke in petulantly, saying : “ I hope you will cut off General Reynolds atid'; not waste any more ®time on him. He has told all he knew about this case and a good deal more.” Scoville cross-examined the witness, Guiteau very frequently interrupted, contradicted, and also insulted the wit ; ness. ,

At one time, he shouted out—“ I would have been hung a hundred times in July last but for the national troops, and all through your lying andCorkhill’s, I’m going to get even with both of you, too.

Witness explained that when he visited Guiteau, the time of his trial had not been arranged. President Garfield was still living. He (witness) had no thought of being subpoened as a wit* ness. •

“You lie !” shouted Guiteau. “You came in my cell as a spy in the employ of the District Attorney.” General Reynolds read from the notes taken on his first interview with Guiteau, quoting the prisoner’s words. , ; He read as follows :—“ If there is a stalwart in this land I am he. Grant, Conkling, Logan, and; Governor Cornell are big guns among the stalwarts, and I rank with them.”

Guiteau —I -never said I. could rank with them, but as a matter of fact I think I can.

A number of-newspaper; slips wrhich the witness had read > to the prisoner at the interview, to show him what were the sentiments of Grant; Conkling, and others, in regard to his (the prisoner’s) crime, were then read by the DistrictAttorney. When the letter of General Grant was read, in which the writer, speaking of Guiteau, said—“ My son tellk me he is a dead beat,” “Guiteau became very angry and shouted—“ That’s what Fred Grant says. He’s a nice pill, isn’t he ? Hang ing around his father ? I should say he is a bigger dead beat than I am.” Another passage was read which spoke of Guiteau’s crime as“, a most,audacious act.”

“ Guiteau interrupted and said—“ And so it was. To enter that depot and shoot down the President of the United States, surrounded as he was by all his friends. ,1 hare wondered a good many times how I ever did it. I thought to myself this morning I would., not undertake it again for a million dollars. But I was in such a . desperate state of mind that I could not resist .it. I was impelled to fire upon the President by a pressure I could not resist. ” *•

Ellen C.: Grant was' called—and Guiteau shouted—“ Mrs Grant is a lady; I boardod with her prior to the Ist of July. She is a very fine lidy and l owe her47dols. I trust I shall ; pay you as soon, Mr Grant, as those fellows holding fat offices shall respond to my call (striking the table excitedly.) I made them ; if they don’t soon contribute I shall call out their names in meeting.”’ .

The witness never suspected that the prisoner was insane while he boarded with her. , - . •

Mrs Anna 'J. Dunmyer, Guif ban’s divorced wife, was then balled. Several ladies arose to leave the Court-room.

Guiteau moved uneasily upon his seat, and looking angrily towards the audience, cried out—“ Ladies heed not go out. They should notput this woman on the stand,unless Corkhill wants to stir up filth. I say it is. an outrage on decency for Corkhill to drag this lady in here, and have her character ripped up as it will be. He is worse 1 than an old hog. I appeal to the Court to intercept this infamous action of Cprkhill’s. Arthur ought to kick him out. J .1 made; Arthur President, and I have a right to demand that he shall put some reputable lawyer in the. place ,of this infamous Corkhill." r ; - .

Very much to, the surprise,of everyone, but two or three questions were asked the witness, and her statement, in reply to the last question, was—“ I never saw any signs; of insanity inthe prisoner while Liived- with him as his 1 wife.” . , ;

This closed the examination, by the prosecution; ' Guiteau, with a sigh of.relief' said to CprkhillT-■“ Thank you, Mr Dorkhill, for the sake of her children. This is. the most decent thing you have done in th|s trial. I expect, however t that: Judges Porter and-Davidge insisted upon it,and they are‘supposed to be both decent ineh.”' ■ n i

Then, turning impatiently to Scovillp, he Said—“ Now ent :and let’s have something e15e.”.,,, . ,r :i The cross-examinatipn olf Mrs Dunmeyer was tedious’and wholly fruitless. As she left the stand Guiteau shouted after her—“ I have: not seen this lady for eight years. So far as I know .she is a hi£h-toned Christian lady, and Lhaye nothing against her. I wish her Well in whatever station she may be.” t