Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-05-26
NUMBER q.

smaller sum than he would have been
likely to possess had he received tho
money for the articles pswned. 1t is not
surprising that he could not produce wit
nesses of his short stay in Providence.
He says "In the first place, | never
saw any but strange faces from the mo-
ment | separated from Mr.. and MIS-.
Stewart at tho Boston and Prov idence
Depot, until my return to Fitchburg on
the following day. Secondly, | did not
take single number OF any house or
place had entered while in Providence.
Third, Providence has a population OF
100, 600 inhabitants, and is u city | had
never been in before"
The publication of his statement in the
Boston Globe Interested Mr.. Iohced OF
that city, and he mentioned the case to
Mr.. Nj. u. Downing, business man,
Mr.. Downing sent for n copy of the pm
per, and on reading the paragraph in
which Phair spoke of his visit to Provi-
dence became convinced that he had met
him. Referring to his noto book, ho
found that on juno 10. 1874, he roda
from Providence to Boston, arriving in
the latter city Mt about noon. In tho
the same seat with him rode u stranger,
with whom he entered into conversation;
tho stranger complained Of the hard
times, and said that he had been TO Prov
ideuco to obtain worh, of the Providence
Screw Company, but without success.
Mr.. Dowing inquired his residence, and
was told that he belonged To- Rutland,
VT. MIR. Downing became interested, a1
his native place is Montpelier, and quito
an interesting discussion of Vermont in
general sprang up. Mr.. Downing was Mt
the time, and IS at present, engaged IN
selling novelty patent rights and small
wares, and thinking that he should de-
sire an agent in Vermont, took especial
notice of the stranger, and made somo
general ovorturos to him TO that elect
! Mr.. Downing's business arrangements
were not at hat time complete, and, be-
yond giving the stranger his card and in
vting him to call at his office, he made
no engagement. As the stranger never
called, the matter passed entirely from
Mr.. Downing's mind, and as he had read
but little concerning the trinl of Phair
tho first intimation he received of tho
real state of the case was Friday week.
Being convinced that Phair was his
fellow traveller, no at once telegraphed
his belicf TO Gov. Fairbanks, his despatch
being ndorsod by one OF the Globe staff.
This was little past noon on Friday,
and Phair was to be hung ut ?. There
was therefore bot little time to lose, and
it was not lost. On the reception OF tho
dispatch from the Governor, respitng
him to the lth Of May, Phair WAS COM
pletelv broken down. lie gasped out
"Send TO mother," and a lilto later re-
marked, "I knew tho Lord would vindi-
cafe mo, for his everlasting arms were
beneath me. | wish to unite with you in
prayer of thanksgiving to God" Pub
lie opinion is now divided ms to his guilt,
aud he will have now trial # identified
by Mr.. Downing when seen face to face.
1t is worth mentioning that Mr.. Down
ing was much prepossessed with the man
whom he thinks to bo PhAir, and II re-
porter of the Boston Jo1unai, who lately
visited the cell, describes him as very
mild, pleasant looking man with violet
| eyes.