Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

1882. Assassin sings from the gallows

Charles J. Guiteau, the killer of President Garfield, faced the hangman on June 30, 1882. The Journal correspondent covering the execution started the story this way:

"The drop fell at 12:37 and the assassin died without a struggle. There was scarcely a quiver of the limbs perceptible."

Guiteau had shot Garfield in a Washington train depot in July 1881. The president lingered through an agonizing summer. Doctors sent out frequent updates on the president's health; each slight improvement or worsening of his condition was reported in The Journal.

The paper also dug up a Rhode Island connection to Guiteau, who had traveled New England about three years before the shooting on a lecture tour. He had visited Providence for a talk in Barney's Hall on "The Second Coming of Christ."

"The lecture failed for want of an audience," the paper reported, "and Guiteau left without paying his hotel bill."

President Garfield died in September 1881.

"We have no words," The Journal said in an editorial, "in which to voice the general affliction."

The paper's story of Guiteau's execution described the brief proceedings in precise detail, using spacing and heavy typeface for emphasis:

"At 12:15 o'clock the company in the rotunda, about 250 in all, was formed in line, and the

Silence of death

fell on those present. Ten minutes later, Guiteau came out with two deputies. He was pale, but his look was not insane. His mouth was firm. He passed his brother with only a glance."

The story described the procession to the scaffolding, where the rope awaited.

"Guiteau stood back of the rope. He was dressed in dark blue pants and shirt and had a loose, white scarf around his neck. The audience stood below in the corridor, only a little more than half filling it. Guiteau's head was bare and his hair short.

"He read a part of the 10th chapter of Matthew, from the 18th to 48th verse. His voice was clear and firm, and he read with emphasis and deep effect. Next he read what he called his prayer from the scaffold, in which he

Illustration by W.A. Rogers

Illustration shows Charles J. Guiteau firing into the back of President James A. Garfield in a Washington train station on July 2, 1881.

Denounced President Arthur

as a coward and an ingrate. He gave great emphasis to this fact. The whole manner of his reading was such as to cause deep sensation. In trying to sing some verses of his own, ending with 'Glory hallelujah,' after one verse he broke down, but with a determined effort he rallied and finished, though with a tremulous voice. He was then advanced to the trap, where he stood alone, to have his feet tied. The rope was adjusted at 12:35. This with the good-byes and arranging of the black cap took two minutes. The signal was given with a white handkerchief."

It seemed that the fall had broken Guiteau's neck. He hanged for five minutes before being lowered for the doctor to examine.

"There was a hush as of death as he hung. After falling, and in this silence, a prisoner in an adjacent corridor, set up a cheer which grated harsh and with terrible effect on all."