ADS, one page, lightly-lined, 7.5 x 12.25, November 26, 1881. Letter addressed “To the Public” in which Guiteau seeks to raise the necessary money to fund his defense. In full: “On November 14—I sent an appeal requesting money for my defence. Mr. Scoville the next day stated the appeal was made without his knowledge. I hereby make this appeal with his hearty sympathy, and confidently expect that all right-minded persons who desire justice in this case will liberally respond. Send the money, withholding the name, if you wish to, by express to George Scoville, Washington D.C.” Partial separations to expected mailing folds, slight creasing and soiling, and a blot of ink near the bottom edge, otherwise fine condition.
Eager to acquire an elite team to defend him against the charge of murder for his public assassination of President Garfield, an insolvent Guiteau turned to the public for financial support. Ultimately, he begrudgingly accepted Scoville, his own brother-in-law, as his lead attorney. With Guiteau’s guilt never in question, the defense turned to an insanity plea, arguing that his mental condition had been a long-standing hereditary condition passed down by his father. The maneuver failed and Guiteau was hanged on June 30, 1882. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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