Box 1

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Contains ALS from Guiteau to Judge Merrick, on 1 sheet/1 page, from the family scrapbook of Mary Merrick. Addressed from the "U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C." Written to the Honorable Richard Merrick, requesting that he represent Guiteau in his case: "... I will give you a reasonable retainer and an ample fee if you get me off ..."

Scope and Contents Contains ALS from Guiteau to General Sherman, folio, 1 page w/ envelope: "To General Sherman: I have just shot the President. I shot him several times as I wished him to go as easily as possible. His death was a political necessity. I am a lawyer, theologian, and politician. I am a stalwart of the Stalwarts. I was with Gen. Grant, and the rest of our men in New York during the canvass. I am going to the Jail. Please order out your troops and take possession of the Jail at once....

Scope and Contents Contains two autograph note fragments as follows:"Private - Able lawyers say your complaint is very weak and it can be dismissed on technical grounds, then, English will blame you. If you are satisfied from all my papers filed, English has no case, you can save your professional reputation by advising him to settle on that ground."ANS by Guiteau written on the reverse of his own printed business card, demanding the transfer of all papers pertinent to the case of...

Scope and Contents Contains 3 sheets/3 page manuscript signed by Guiteau, used as a courtroom exhibit by Edmond Bailey:"Washington June 16, 1881. To the American People: I conceived the idea of removing the President four weeks ago. Not a soul knew of my purpose. I conceived the idea myself and kept it to myself. I read the newspapers carefully for and against the Administration, and gradually the conviction settled on me that the President's removal was a political necessity, because he proved a...

Scope and Contents Contains 10 sheets of 10 pages written and signed by Edmond Bailey, a legal colleague of George Corkhill, district attorney for the Guiteau assassination case. Corkhill introduced Guiteau to Bailey, who then proceeded to hold lengthy conversations with Guiteau and supposedly made copious notes on his life, ideas, and motivations. Bailey claimed later to have destroyed the notes. The affidavit concludes: "In my conversations with him [Guiteau] I did not understand that he claimed to have...

Scope and Contents Contains ALS, 1 sheet, 1 page, w/ cancelled envelope, on stationery letterhead for Charles J. Guiteau, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Chicago, to Thomas Darlington:"Dear Sir: It is uncertain when I shall be in New York. If you have any suggestions touching a settlement of that English case please notify me by return mail. It was a most unjustifiable arrest, and Mr. English ought to be severely punished for making that fake affidavit. My circumstances are rapidly improving here...

Scope and Contents

Contains 3 sheets/3 pages of notes written by Guiteau about himself, used as a courtroom exhibit by Edmond Bailey.

Scope and Contents Contains ALS, folio w/ cancelled envelope from H. B. Amerling, attorney and counselor at law, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, to colleague George W. Ogler:"Friend Ogler: I have been subpoenaed in the Guiteau case on the part of the defense. I remember of hearing you tell of the funny and strange actions of the Guiteaus. I shall leave for Washington next week. i think you would be a good witness. I believe that both Charles Guiteau and his father were crasey on religion. I wished...

Scope and Contents Contains ALS written by Nicholas Jackson giving an eyewitness account of the shooting of President Garfield by Guiteau, submitted to the editor of the "Evening Star" and addressed from Annapolis, Md. (2 sheets + folio/7 autograph pages):"Sir: As I was an eye witness of the shooting of President Garfield and being able to explain which shot entered the chief magistrate's body first and the course and present whereabouts of the ball that missed him I deemed it proper to impart to...

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Contains newspaper clipping entitled "Guiteau Hated Catholics."

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Contains printed poem on the death of James A. Garfield by James Slattery.

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Contains AMsS by Frederick H. Snyder addressed to the editor of the "Post" with regards to Norman Wiard, who attempted to discredit Snyder's credibility as a witness to possible jury misconduct in the Guiteau case. Guiteau's lawyer Scoville had used Snyder's account--that jurors had access to newspapers and were not properly sequestered--in a failed motion for a new trial after Guiteau's conviction. 5 sheets/5 pages w/ envelope.

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Contains printed speech by Guiteau delivered August 6, 1880, on the subject of the electoral race between James Abram Garfield and General Winfield Scott Hancock in 1880. Entitled "Garfield Against Hancock: The Past Reviewed."