St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-04-13
What Caused the Reprieve.

The Boston Globe says that on Fri
day morning, one NJ. d. Downing, do
ing business at 50 School street, Will,
reading that part of Phair's statement
about going to Providence for work
and returning June 10th, 1874, (anC
which he was not able to prove on trial
for if he had it would have disproved
the evidence that he was at the Adams
House the night before,) suddenly be-
thought him that he had perhaps met
Phair on train from Providence on that
day. His statement is this, according
to the Globe:
Mr.. Downing left Boston by early
train and came back in the forenoon,
as stated, being anxious to keep an APP
pOintment with gentleman in Boston
in the afternoon on an important bust
ness matter. Stepping into the smoking
car at Providence he rode in that until
he had finished cigar, and then passed
into Il passenger car. The man whom
he now supposes to be Phair sat in Il
seat alone. Taking seat by his side,
| Mr.. Downing soon entered into CONVEX
sation with him. The man said he
hailed from Vermont, whereupOn, Mr..
| Downing, who himself was born and
raised in Vermont, inquired what see
ton the man was from. 81 am from
Rurland,n said the man; II came down
yesterday, and tried to get work of the
Screw Company in Providence, but it
is SO dull | could not, and | am going
back to Rutland" This led to further
conversation. Mr.. Downing was in a
line of business in which he employed
il good many agents, and being favOra-
bly, impressed with the mans appear
ance and bis evident inteligence,h he told
him if he did not find any work he had
better take an agency for Rutland and
vicinity for his goods. The idea did
not seem to impress the man favorably,
so the subject was dropped. Neither
knew nor inquired the name of the
other. They talked on general topics
and separated.
Being convinced that Phair about to
be hung, might be the man he talked
with OH the train, Downing sought the
chief of police for advice, and the re-
suit was that the following kilograms
were sent Governor Fairbanks:
Boston, April 6, 1877.
To Coz. Fairbanks, st. JOhnsbmy, Vt :
| think | saw and cOnversed with the
man who is to be executed to-day, on
the train conf ing from Providence to
Boston, June 10, 1874. [ send by add
vice of Chief of Police.
NJ D. DOWNING,
so School street, Boston.
To Coz. Fairbanks, st. Johns6my, IT.: |
Mr.. Downings' story about Phair
seems to be worthy of delay for inves- |
tigatiOn. CHARLES II. TAYLOR,
Manager of THE GLOBE.
These kilograms caused the following
of a postponement of the
execution:
ST. JOHNsBURY, VT, April 6, 1877.
TO S. W. StimsOn, Sheriff of Windsor |
county, Windsor, Vt:
Delay execution of John P Phair
until May fourth next. Written re-
prieve till that day will be sent by
mail.
(Signed HORACE FAIRBANKS.
Sheriff Stimson ascending the steps
leading to the guard room, said: "Gen-
tlemen the execution will not take
place to-day. A reprieve has been
granted by Gov. Fairbanks till May A."
This announcement was received by
nearly all present with pleasant sur
prise.
THE EFFECT UPON PHAIR.
When the glad news was conveyed
to Phair he was completely broken
down. Covering his face with his hand
kerchief he wept bitterly. His spirit
ual advisers and other gentlemen en-
tered his cell and heartily congratu-
lated him on the respite. The object
Of the respite is to give the Governor
an opportunity more fully to consider
the case; but it does not pre-suppose a
new trial. The Legislature alone can
the sentence. This morning
Phair appeared quite cheerful con-
versed freely with members of the press
ind others on the subject of the execu-
ion. He said he hoped the result of
his death would he the abolition of the
leath penalty to persons convicted on
evidence. He said he
vas deceived as to the proper steps to
De taken before the Legislature, and
'eiterated in general terms what has
been already made public.
Protest from the Scene of the Muir
der.
RUTLAND, VT, April 6.-The intelli-
,ence of the respite of John Phair was |