Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-04-11

with whom he entered into CONVERSE.
ton, as is his usual habit when tray
cling. In the course Of the ride the
stranger complained of the hard times,
and said that he had been to Provi-
dence to obtain work of the Provi-
dencc Screw Company, but without
success. Mr.. Downing inquired his
residence, and was It'd that he be-
longed in Rutland, Vt. Mr.. Down
ing became interested, as his native
place is Montpelier, and quite an in.
teresting discussion of Vermont in
general sprang up. Mr.. Downing
was at that time, and is at present,
engaged in selling novelty patent
rights and small wares, and, thinking
that he should desire an agent in Yer
mont, took especial notice of the
stranger, and made some general over
lures TO him to that effect. Mr..
Downing's business fragments
were not at that time comp. etc, and,
beyond giving the stranger his card
and inviting him to call at his office,
he made no engagement. AS the
stranger never called, the matter en-
tirely passed from Mr.. Downings
mind, and as he had read but little
concerning the trial Of Phair the first
intimation he received OF the real
state of the case was yesterday morn.
ing.
Upon consideration he became con
WINGED that Phair and the stranger
whom he had met on the train were
one. He stated that he was very
much impressed in favor Of the man,
much more SO than with strangers
usually. lie was, he thought at the
time, a man Of more than ordinary in
telligeuce, and very easy talker,
speaking plainly and distinctly and
using good Language. He was a
large man, weighing perhaps one
hundred and eight or two hundred
pounds, of a dark complexion, with
large, black eyes, which were frank
and innocent in expression. Mr..
Downing lis positive that he could
identify the man among hundled.-
Strongly impressed that he could as
sist Phair in proving his innocence,
Mr.. Downing at once hurried to the
office OF the Chief of Police, and re.
lated his story, and on being
shown photograph Of Phalr, taken
at the time of his arrest, he promptly
recognized it as OF the stranger on the
train from Providence. In u high
state of excitement he now rushed to
the office of the Globe, in which paper
he had read Phair's statement, and
thence to the telegraph office, and
sent the following despatch to Gov
Fairbanks, at Montpelier:
Boston, April G, 1877.
TO Gov. FIRBANKs, Montpelier, VT
| think saw and convcrSed with the man
that is to be hanged to-day, on June 10, 1874
coming from Providence to Boston.
NJ. ID. DOWNING.
To this Col. Taylor OF the Globe
added the following -
We think that this despatch comes
from reliable source.
SAVED!
This was alter II o'clock, yester
day. AS Phair was to be hanged al
2, the utmost haste WAS necessary
Gov. Fairbanks was at his residence
at st. Johnsbury, where the telegram
was sent in hot haste from Montpelier
and, fortunately, it found the Govern
or at the telegraph office. He i'm
mediately wrote the following tele
gram to Sheriff Stimson, at Windsor
by whom it was received at 1,36 p. NJ
St. Johnsbury, VT, April 6, 1877.
To S. W. STIMsoN, Sheriff of Windsor Coun'
ty, Windsor, VT.
Delay execution of ohm z. Phar until Ma.
4th next. Written reprieve till that day vii
be sent by mail.
(Signed) HORACE FAIRBANKS.
Preparation for the execution hat
been completed, the same gallow
being erected that was used for Mil
Ter, Ward and Welcome. About I;
persons were in attendance to witnes
the final act in the tragedy, whel
Sheriff Stimson assembled the step
leading to the guard room and an
nounced the reprieye. When thu
glad news was conveyed to Phair 1t
was completely broken down. Cover
ing his face with his handkerchief h
wept bitterly. His spiritual adviser
and other gentlemen entered his Gel
and heartily congratulated him on tn
respite. The object of the respite i
to give the Governor an opportunit
more fully to consider the case bu
it does not presuppose a new trial.
The Legislature alone can commut