GARFIELD ASSASSINATION.] GUITEAU, Charles J. (1841-1882), Assassin . Autograph letter signed ("Charles Guiteau") to Thomas Connery (1835-1923), managing editor of the N.Y. Herald , U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C., 24 September 1881; with postscript initialed ("C. G."). 2 pages, 8vo, written on recto and verso .
GARFIELD ASSASSINATION.] GUITEAU, Charles J. (1841-1882), Assassin . Autograph letter signed ("Charles Guiteau") to Thomas Connery (1835-1923), managing editor of the N.Y. Herald , U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C., 24 September 1881; with postscript initialed ("C. G."). 2 pages, 8vo, written on recto and verso . "PLEASE SAY FOR ME THAT GEN. GARFIELD WAS A GOOD MAN, BUT A WEAK POLITICIAN" Five days after President Garfield died from the wounds inflicted on him by Guiteau's two gunshots, the assassin asks Connery to send him the manuscript of Guiteau's autobiography, which he had dictated to one of the New York Herald's reporters. "If it is not all written out send what he wrote & also his short hand book. Also my revised edition of The Truth which I shall publish under the title of my Theology. Send the bundle, by Express, direct to Gen. Crocker, Warden U.S. Jail, Washington D.C., without my name on it, & he will hand it to me." He ponders his publishing options some more before adding a thought about the man he murdered: "Please say in the Herald for me, that Gen. Garfield was a good man, but a weak politician, and I wish all honor paid his remains." But he quickly adds, "Please attend to this at once as I wish to get my book out." Vigilantes made two attempts on Guiteau's life before he was tried in Washington in November 1881. Throughout the trial Guiteau played the fool, berating and cursing judge, jury and witnesses, possibly in an attempt to bolster the insanity defense advanced by his attorneys. He made a half-hearted effort to provide a political motive for the shooting, calling himself a GOP "Stalwart" and a disappointed office-seeker. Whatever the state of his mind, or his motives, he clearly relished the attention lavished on him during his trial and even as he walked, smiling and waving, to the gallows on 30 June 1882. The diagnosis of the prosecuting attorney, George Corkhill, may have been nearest the mark: "He was a deadbeat, pure and simple. Finally, he got tired of the monotony of deadbeating. He wanted excitement of some other kind and notoriety, and he got it."
GARFIELD ASSASSINATION.] GUITEAU, Charles J. (1841-1882), Assassin . Autograph letter signed ("Charles Guiteau") to Thomas Connery (1835-1923), managing editor of the N.Y. Herald , U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C., 24 September 1881; with postscript initialed ("C. G."). 2 pages, 8vo, written on recto and verso .
GARFIELD ASSASSINATION.] GUITEAU, Charles J. (1841-1882), Assassin . Autograph letter signed ("Charles Guiteau") to Thomas Connery (1835-1923), managing editor of the N.Y. Herald , U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C., 24 September 1881; with postscript initialed ("C. G."). 2 pages, 8vo, written on recto and verso . "PLEASE SAY FOR ME THAT GEN. GARFIELD WAS A GOOD MAN, BUT A WEAK POLITICIAN" Five days after President Garfield died from the wounds inflicted on him by Guiteau's two gunshots, the assassin asks Connery to send him the manuscript of Guiteau's autobiography, which he had dictated to one of the New York Herald's reporters. "If it is not all written out send what he wrote & also his short hand book. Also my revised edition of The Truth which I shall publish under the title of my Theology. Send the bundle, by Express, direct to Gen. Crocker, Warden U.S. Jail, Washington D.C., without my name on it, & he will hand it to me." He ponders his publishing options some more before adding a thought about the man he murdered: "Please say in the Herald for me, that Gen. Garfield was a good man, but a weak politician, and I wish all honor paid his remains." But he quickly adds, "Please attend to this at once as I wish to get my book out." Vigilantes made two attempts on Guiteau's life before he was tried in Washington in November 1881. Throughout the trial Guiteau played the fool, berating and cursing judge, jury and witnesses, possibly in an attempt to bolster the insanity defense advanced by his attorneys. He made a half-hearted effort to provide a political motive for the shooting, calling himself a GOP "Stalwart" and a disappointed office-seeker. Whatever the state of his mind, or his motives, he clearly relished the attention lavished on him during his trial and even as he walked, smiling and waving, to the gallows on 30 June 1882. The diagnosis of the prosecuting attorney, George Corkhill, may have been nearest the mark: "He was a deadbeat, pure and simple. Finally, he got tired of the monotony of deadbeating. He wanted excitement of some other kind and notoriety, and he got it."
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Create an alert![GARFIELD ASSASSINATION] GUITEAU, Charles J (1841-1882), Ass...](http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/D58088/garfield_assassination_guiteau_charles_j_assassin_autograph_letter_sig_d5808845g.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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