The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-07
PRICE TWO CENTS.
JOHN p. PHAlR UNlIANGED.
TIMELY REPRTEvE or MAN WHO
rs POSSIBLY INNOCENT.
The story Of the Murder OF Mrs. A nna Fresss
-Evidence that Flames did not Destroy
The Telegram that Led to the Reprieve.

The story OF the Murder OF Mrs. Anna Freiss
-Evidence that Flames did not Destroy
The Telegram that Led to the Reprieve. O.
WINDSOR, Vt, April 6-The preparations
for the hanging OF John p. Phair to-day had all
been completed when telegram was handed TO
the Sheriff from Gov. Fairbanks directing that
the hanging be deferred until Maya. Phair
was convicted OF having murdered Mrs. Anna
Freze. on June 0. 1874. On tho early morn
ing OF that day. the residence OF Mrs.
Frcize. In Rutland, was found to be on fire.
The flames seemed to be confined to an upper
front chamber from which dense smoke was
issuing In such volume as to make II itlmpossiblo
to gain an entrance. A man mounted quickly
to the window Of the fated room. Through tho
smoke bed was barely dscernbe. and upon
IL lay a human body.
The examination revealed tho fact that tho
woman had been murdered Tho body was
much burned. the lower limbs having been en-
tirely destroyed. but In the charred and black
ened neck were found five gashes. ono n long
one. apparently made with "a knifo or hatchet
and four stabs made by some sharp instrument
The woman had well-furnished apartments.
valuable jowelry. and. 1t ,was supposed. quito
murder was evidently for plunder The ex-
element in the community ran high. and the
town authorities promptly offered n reward Of
$500 for the arrest and conviction Of tho
John r. Phair. n workman in the railway
shops was soon brought under suspicion as he
the circus on tho Saturday evening previous.
andhc had not 9ecupicdhis room at the flcrwck
on Tucsiay on tho Boston train. and onicer
George ". Crawford was on the alert TO
intercept him, and on the evening OF the next
train from Boston at Cuttingsville. Mcssrs. N.
$. Stearns and ]. G, Thornton immediately went
Identified as belonging TO Mrs. Frciz"; also. q
watch which was found in the possession q
| the watch had been left by n man giving tho
name OF +. +. Smith Of st. Adams. Vt, and said
he was Stopping at the, Adams House with his
| sister The name was found upon the register.
and in the room which he occupied was found Q
half shawl. which was readily recognized as be-
fhair was convicted. He has always stouty
protested his lnn9cence, Coy; rairnanks banks had
| twas expected that Phair would certainly DO
| hanged to-day.
was born in 'yergcnncs, Vt, July /. 1917 AT
| the age of eighteen he was convicted Of larceny.
| and sentenced to six years in State prison.
Nth Mh@o"t Mr.. Frtse. bt'DE but Says % tot ' otRSrs
| were equally So Just before tho death
h. loaned money 10 her. ms she was in
7traiiened circumstances. on Monday MORN
| ing the day before tho murder. hc Woutto liran-
don, WIS there el day went buck TO Rut.
4:3o A. NJ. train on Tuc-day morning for
| Providence. II. l.. wher. h" expected t. find
| work. Not ilndinl; employment he started for
| Rutlond, and was arrested on the way. He
| claims that the pawntrokcrs who id"n,lii' I'll
| very cloth s which he WHre when id, ntf,d.
II" ndded: " II, when upon trc gallows. pardon
should be offered ne oucondtion that would
conf ss thc crime. would not perufe my soul
Boston. April G.-This morning NJ. d. Down
| ing. of 80 School street. on reading Ihair's
| statement In the morning papers, became con-
| companiei from Providence To- Boston on Juns
10. and visiting the Office of the Chl"t u
| Police Identified his Photograph among 300 II
| his conviction il correct. II VIII establish an