Unique archive from the papers of Dr. Alexander MacDonald, an expert witness in the trial of Charles Guiteau for the murder of President James A. Garfield. A prominent psychiatrist, he served as general superintendent of the New York City Asylum and examined Charles Guiteau as part of the trial process.
Highlights include: an ink signature, "Charles Guiteau, U.S. Jail, Washington, D.C., Nov. 13-1881," on an off-white 3.75 x 2.25 card; and an invitation issued to Dr. A. E. MacDonald to "witness the execution of Charles J. Guiteau, at this jail Friday, June 30th, 1882," signed in ink by Warden John S. Crocker; and a carte-de-visite photo of "Charles J. Guiteau (The Assassin)."
Other items include: a handwritten note to MacDonald by prosecutor John Kilham Porter, signed "J. K. P.," penned amidst the trial, in part: "I am very grateful to the counsel of Guiteau for continuing the cross examination this morning. It has given you the opportunity to do, what I had thought scarcely possible, to render even more impressive, the lucid and conclusive testimony you gave yesterday"; a telegram inviting Dr. MacDonald to the autopsy of Guiteau's body on June 30, 1882; booklet entitled "Guiteau Trial: Closing Speech to the Jury of John K. Porter," published by John Polhemus in 1882 (wrappers damaged and front wrap partially separated); a booklet entitled "Guiteau-A Case of Alleged Moral Insanity" by J. J. Elwell, inscribed on the front wrapper in ink by the author; a booklet entitled "The United States vs. Charles J. Guiteau, No. 14,056, Bill of Exceptions"; a printed form letter by Attorney George B. Corkhill disputing the authority over the disposition of Guiteau's brain; and a TLS by Attorney General Benjamin H. Brewster, requesting notice of any further compensation requested for MacDonald's services as an expert witness in the trial. In overall very good to fine condition, with light soiling to the Guiteau signature. A rare array of items related to the trial of a presidential assassin.
