The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-07
ALMOST A HANGING.
A RepricVe Arrives Fifteen Min
Wtes Before the Hour for Busi-

A RepricVe Arrives Fifteen Min
Wtcs Before the Hour for BuSi-
ness,
National Associated Press to the Star.
WINDSOR, VI, April ID. z. Phair,
who was to have been hanged yesterday
for the murder OF Mrs. Anna Freize at
Rutland, VT, in June, 1874, and who
sGoutly maintained mis- innocence, has
prepared an elaborate and remarkable
statement of his case, which 1T was his
intention to have published after his
execution. He has, however, been re-
prieved by GOV. Fairbanks, and will
have another trial. He is confident that
he can establish an alibi.
Pnair came near being hanged, not
withs anding the Governors reprieve,
which had been telegraphed from Mont
pelier. 1t appears that the dispatch was
delayed in transit Two hours, owing to
trouble in getting it through repeating
office which could not communicate, and
arrived at it's destination only about
fifteen minutes before the time appoint
ed for execution.
Boston, MASS, April THE con-
demned man, j. z. Phair, who was
to have been executed at Windsor,
Vermont, has been reprieved until May
4, owing to the publication of his last
statement in the Globe, which attracted
the attention of NJ. D. Downing, Of the
American Novelty Company, who, upon
reading the narrative of Phair's trip to
Providence, jumped out Of his chair and
exclaimed, "My Godl they have got the
wrong mani this man is innocentP' His
W. nrha
his associates, and as soon as he became
still he stated that he went to ProVi-
dence on June 10, 1874, and returned on
the train which left Providence in the
forenoon and reached Boston at noon
that day.
This memorandum was referred to at
once, and the time found to be correct.
On that train, coming to Boston, be met
and talked with man whom he hrmly
believed to be Phair. He saw how I'M
portant link he might possibly supply.
MIR. Downing left Boston by the early
train and came back in the forenoon, as
stated, being anxious to keep an ap-
pointment. Stepping into passenger
car, he saw man whom he now sup
poses to have been Phalr, sitting in a
seat alone. Taking a seat by his side,
MI. Downing soon entered into CONVEX
Sa ION WIN nlm. ne man SdAu ne
hailed from Vermont, whereupon Mr..
Downing, who is himse If from Vermont,
and raised there, inquired what station
the man was from. Il am from Rut-
land" said the man; Il came down yes
lerday and tried to get work OF the
Screw Company, in Providence, but 1t
Is SO dull that cou.dn'C, and Pm going
back to Rutland"
This led 10 further conversation. MI.
Downing was in u line of business in
which he emp Dyed good many agents,
and being taVorably impressed with the
the mans appearance and his evident
intelligence he told him il he did mol
find any work he had better take an
agency for Rutland tor his goods. The
idea dldn't seem to impress the man ia
v0rably, so the subject was dropped.
Neither knew or inquired the name OF
tue other. They talked on general
topics and separated.
Mr.. Downing paid no particular atten-
tion 10 the report Of the murder or the
trial, and read neither, thinking it very
improbable that the Governor could be
found in time. Two men were sent
northward at once, and one of them for
tunately reached Gov. Fairbanks at St.
Johns bury, W., in season to prevent the
execution OF Pnair. He has respite
until May 4.