The New York herald., 1869-06-26
Execution of Hiram Miller, in
Vermont.
Particulars of the Crime, Trial
and Conviction.
Condition and Appearance of the
Condemned.
he DIES PROTESTING HIS INNOCENCE.

murder in Ascutneyvie, in this Cwindsorl county,
on the 23d OF july 1867. was executed to-day the
state Prison at this place In accordance with the
sentence of the court before which he was tried
The particulars OF the bloody and revolving deeds
for which this man has been launched from the gal
lows into another world, dark and eternal, are
appalling IN their character exceeding, as they
DO, any in the annals of crime In Vermont since
the days when the whoops of the maddened savage
mingled with the shrieks and cries OF their scalped
and butchered victims and reverberated among Its
green hills, that they, though repeated. will be OF
special interest on this occasion in connection with
an account OF the awful but deserved doom of their
author.
THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY AND Tue VICTIMS.
The scene Of this startling tragedy was neat and
substantial farm house, standing one OF the tier
OF magnificent farms which border the Connecticut
river The farm lies nearly one mile south OF Ascut.
neyvlne small village in the town OF Weathers-
field which Is IN the southeastern portion of Wind
sor county. Ascutneyvle lies nearly opposite
Caremont N H., and about one mile distant from
the Vermont Central Railroad which at that point
follows down on the New Hampshire side. This
pleasant and comfortable home was owned by an In
telligent, Industrious and respected farmer. named
Joshua G. Gowlng, who occupied II WITH his family,
consisting of his wife, Mrs. Abigail Gowing, and
two children and daugh Just entering their
teens. Mr. Gowing a native OF an adjoining
town, where he lived till about ten years previous
to his untimely death, when he purchased
the farm described ana moved TO the same with his
family. Mr. Gowing ana his vile were nearly equal
III their respective ages both being ABOUT hfty-dve.
They were both plain people, Mrs. Gowing being the
better looking Of the TWO. They had both been hard
workers Saves 10 toll all their days. Their hands
were caloused by manual labor and their faces bore
the marks of care and increasing age. Though by
their economy and industry they had accumulated
quite large estate, they still loved to toll. Among
their relatives and friends they were loved and es-
teemed for their kindly, sympathetic hospitabe and
peaceful natures Being home people, their circle OF
acquaintance was not wide, but there was not one
among the number who ever had just cause to
breathe against them unneighbory complaint.
BY the marvellous disDensation OF a mysterious
Providence these two good people were doomed
one quiet summers npht, when wrapped in refresh.
ing sleep, to fan the victims OF swift AMI fearful
death, under the powerful blows or sharp. heavy
axe, in the hands OF an assassin, and thus leave
their two children to the cold neglect OF orphanage.
MILLERs FIRST APPEARANCE AND HIS SECOND EN-
GAGEMENT To MR.. GowiSG.
Under the name OF Henry " ilson. Miller first came
to Mr.. Gowings during the summer OF 1885, a
stranger in pursuit Of employment. Being In need
of help on his farm Mr.. Gowing employed Miller for
and at the expiration OF the time agreed upon
was duly paid for his services and he
took his departure. This was the last
Mr., Gowing OF Miller till April OF
the year following, when, unexpectedly
he returned with his vase OF clothes and asked for
employment again. Remembering Miller's good SER
vice the year previous Mr.. Gowing readily engaged
him work for him seven months for sum per month
mutually agreeable to employer and empoye. Accord
mgly Miller commenced work, still under the name
of Henry Wilson, before. He displayed his former
fatf;alness and being robust strong man he per-
formed the burden OF the farm work. BY his CON-
mendable demeaRor and apparent concern for the
prosperity Of Mr.. Gowing's affairs he seems TO have
won the latter's confidence, so that he was the
trusted receiver OF money OF his private business
matters. Among these Mr. Gowing revea ed TO him
his good fortune IN possessing about $500
In United States bonds, and also told
him where he kept them in his house.
the place beng drawer OF bureau in the parlor
THIS revelation made in all the innocent pride OF the
honest farmer, who. conscious of having no enemies
feared no harm, stirred Miller's cupdty and aroused
the slumberlng demon in MS heart winch caused all
the blood, horror and unspeaSable misery which
e. lowed.
MILLERs sUppEN DEPARTURE-HE CONCENTRATES
g'S~ MS PURPOsE-His MOVEMENTS.
At about the close of the second month Miller
fegned TO be effected with breach OF the abdomen
which untitled him FOR further work, and requested
Mr. Gowing To release him from his contract and pay
him for the time that he had worked. tnat ne might
return to his home which he said was In the nortn-
ern part Of Vermont. Though 1t some.
thing OF loss 10 Mr. Gowng to release Miller
he nevertheless dId So and the latter on re.
ceiying his wages went on his way. But
Mer's pretended inability TO work and his
expressed desire to return home were mere pre-
texts by which he could go 70 some other place TO
study upon the helnous purpose which 1t Is pre-
sumed he had then almost resolved upon. rhe con-
restless and absorbing subject OF his mind Though
be actually had vile and child In Richford, Yer.
mont town on the Canada line, and though he
had slight rupture, for which he wore a truss he
took the cars for Barton Vermont a town one hun
dred miles north OF Ascutneyvllle on the Passump-
his wife resided Arriving at Barton ne Immediately
let himself to work for several months for farmer
In that place named Jennis and on the
following day commenced his duties. At
tins place he dropped the name OF wa.
tanned his assumed Christian name, Henry. and
thus known Henry Miller. What object he
had IN wearing false name either at this place or
tion even now. II Is, however presumed that he
might nave been intending to abandon his wife and
thus assumed an alias to cover his movements.
On Saturday the 10th Of July, having evidently
secure the prize for which ne longed and being uy
resolved to attempt the undertaking, whatever the
VISIT with hls wife and kindred in Richford. pro. |
curing a horse and buggy at q livery stable In Bar !
ton village he proceeded on hIs way and arrived |
day. Besides visiting his wife he called on |
on several Of his relatives and among them his
wifes father, Mir. shepard Randall. While chatting
with him he spoke OF buying small piece or grouDa
near by aud building house upon II. At the sub
Jcct OF paving for the land being suggested he re-
marked. 81 have $500 that can lay my hands at
any time.n Mr. Shepard, who knew Mler's want |
OF capacity IN obtaining money replied IN doubt |
ing manner "fram, when you get $500 let me count
It," "When come next time will have It, as sure |
as G0d,n responded Miller withan air OF confidence.
AT an extremely late hour on the same sunday night
he took leave OF his wife and child aud left |
Richiord for Barton. Arriving at the latter |
pace early on Monday morning he went TO his em- |
Ioyer Mr.. Jennls, aud told him that he had been 10
see hIs WIFE, with whom he found letter for him
sell from his lawyer In Weatnefshed. stating that |
he the LAWYER had collected an amount OF money
due him tMllerl In that place, when he would for |
ward to his address II he tMillcrD would send him
eight dollars, the amount OF his fees. Though Mr..
Jennis thought It strange that the lawyer did not
deduct MS commission from the collected vet
a the amount which Miller desired was due him for
uia Mr. lam a4d nt Mu