The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-20
PHAIR's PROVIDENCE TRIP.
Alleged New Testimony.

| mony is presented with reference to Phair's
trip to Providence. 1t is strange story,
and has a somewhat peculiar and doubtful
phase at this late date, and under the cir
cumstances IN which he finds himself.
Now and important testimony has come
to light here which corrobora,es the
story of Mr.. Downing, and goes
far towards establishing the fact that
John p. Phair was in Providence
on the night of June 8, 1874, and also on
the morning of the 10th. Soon after Phair's
sudden reprieve he was closely Intercepted
as to his every movement from the time he
left Rutland until he returned. He was
warned not to put his friends on any false
scent, as the time left for investigation
was indeed short, and he made careful
statement in the presence of witnesses, de-
failing infinitely everything that he could
remember of his visit. In regard to his
course in Providence, he said that on en-
tering the city from Boston the depot was
| to the left; that he passed into the street
and continued in the same general direc-
| ton as his train was going, and that after
proceeding some distance he turned to the
| left and soon met some mechanics com-
| ing from their work. He addressed
| them and said he had come from Rutland
| to get work from the American Screw
company or Coriss Engine company, and
| they replied that those companies had all
the help they needed, and were even dis
charging some of the old workmen. After
| further conversation with these men, which
| he details to the best of his recollection, he
| turned and retraced his steps as he came,
| he found, not far from the depot, lodging
house. This he entered. In the office
were some men drinking beer or ale, which
| was sold there. He was not asked to regis
ter his name, but on payment of seventy
| five cents he was assigned a room on the
| floor above, and, as he remembered, i'm
mediately over the Office. The landlord
was apparently forty-fve years of age,
short, fat and jolly, and in the Office he
distinctly remembered playing with large
black dog with leather collar about the
neck. He took his supper and breakfast
in restaurant situated in basement and
| only " couple ee dnnrs FROM, tho entrance
to the lodging house. When he paid for
his breakfast he offered to the clerk torn
fifty-cent scrip. The clerk inquired,
"Haven't you a good one ?" and he replied
that he had, but that they would take this
one up his way. The clerk concluded to
accept it and returned him ten cents, the
price of the breakfast being forty cents,
After some further conversation he depart
ed. He remembered the sign, which, he
| thought, belonged TO the lodging house,
and it was a blue one with white letters and
about five feet long. After considerable
/ search hQapmpnt nOnld ha
found in the part of the city described by
Phair. 1t then seemed probable that there
might at that time have been such restau-
rant but that it had subsequently been re-
moved, and inquiry was made of some old
| wholesale oyster dealers who would prob
ably know the location of the restaurants
| of three years ago. 1t was soon discovered
that there was at that time q basement
| restaurant on
THE SITE OF THE NEW CITY HALL BUILDING,
the direction indicated by Phair and the
address of the proprietor was furnished.
He was visited and upon inquiry stated
that at that time he kept a restaurant in q
basement that the sign was blue one
with white letters and between four and
five feet long that from his proximity tc
the depot he secured considerable transfer,
custom, and that only couple of door,
from his saloon there was lodging house
which did not give meals, and whose pat
ronage he was accustomed to receive. The
man who was at that time his clerk was
after some difficulty found. There wers
present when the conversation with the
clerk took place, several respectable wit.
nesses, who would testify that the means
taken to refresh his memory were perfectly
fair. The circumstances of the case were
rehearsed to him, and when tho converse
ton in regard to the fifty cent scrip wal
reached, he sprang to his feet and said ex
citedly, "By =, remember that Cir
cumstance distinctly. he was smiling
looking man and held in his hand u small
vallse. l refused TO take the tcrlp, and hi
said pleasantly, they take them up oul
way. then took it and handed him bach
ten cents. He was dressed ia light clothe.
and was quite fieshy and good nalured look
ing. He said good morning. and started
for the depot. He looked like a mechanic
and thought he might be from Boston.
showed the scrip to my employer and HI
said 1t was all right. | remember the tint
because 1t was not long before we moved
which was in August, 1874" The manner
of the witness in narrating this was such al
to impress those present that he was no
merely imagining, but that his recollection
was genuine and honest. The proprieto
of the lodging house was then looked VI
and his account Of the location of the res
taurant with reference TO his house &C
: corded precisely with previous account. Ii
personal appearance he very correctly an
swered the description given by Phair. Ill
said that ale was sold IN his Office tina
frequently guests were not called upon t
register their names; that the price of room
was from fifty cents to one dollar and tha
the room over the office was seventy
FIVE cents; that he used to sen,
his guests to the basement restau
rant for their meals, and that he hat
in the office at that time large blacl
dog with leather collar. The names O
the parties who will testify to the state
ments are in my possession. They, are II
appearance and In truth, eminently respect
able and honest people, upon whom Ieli
ance can be placed. If these facts can b,
discovered now, much more easily coult
they have been discovered three years ago
and the question may well be asked, VIII,
was not this matter thoroughly investl
gated then2 1t can quickly be answered
30 far as the defence is concerned. Tn
counsel for Phair were accorded neithe
, the time nor the means for an investiga
ton. The trisl of Phair began within on
short week after his arraignment, and hi
counsel were granted by the state the mu
, nihcent sum of $50 for conducting his dc
, fence The defence too was one which, Il
: be properly conducted, would require In
services OF experts and detectives, ant
these, as every one knows, could only b.