The New York herald., 1878-11-18
Henry Graveline Cries Out Against
His Conviction of Murder.
A VERMONT FARMERS CAREER.
Accused of Arson and HOmicite-The
CircumStantial Evidence.
AN INSURANCE STORY.

WEATHRRsrIELD VT, Nov. 16, 1873.
About two years ago man named Henry Graveline
was arrested for the murder of q named Herbert
o. White. Graveline became known as the Weathers-
aeld murderer. When arrested he was the possessor
Of considerable property and, generally speaking was
well of.
He born in Canada and was of French descent
and although considered by his neighbors a man OF
rough habits he nevertheless seemed to take great
pride in the cultivation of farm which he owned or
about I've hundred Since his conviction he has
been serving out his twenty-four months OF servl-
tude before execution the gaows TO the State or
Vermont the State Prison at Windsor the last four
months Of which will be in solitary confinement
GRAyELINE's PARENrAGE.
Gravelne was born in April, 1880. six miles from
Black River village and fifteen miles from Moscow,
Canada East. His fathers Ezafne Grave
tine his mothers Lizzie. The family lived on small
farm and his father had blacksmith shop in con-
nection with his house There in all six chill
aren-four boys and two girs-all Of whom are now
living and all getting along in the world prosper
ously Marshall. the oldest brother, is carpenter
and lives at St. Sebasten. Canada East Mary is the
wife of Andrew Houle. farmer living on farm OF
about one hundred and eighty at Roxton Falls,
Canada East Ceestne. brother next youngest to the
prisoner is stock dealer residing at Bourbon Kan
kakee county ILL., Cellnda is the wife of Oliver Cum
mings, farmer owning 160 acres in Cloud county,
Kan.
HARD-EARNED COMPETENCE.
The prisoners father was drowned when he
Henry was nine years old When he ten years OF
age he went to ST. Unlbrages to work farm for
one year for SIS. The next year he had 500 and
the third year s24 and saved from all SIS. From this
time onward Gravene earned and saved by hard labor
considerable money, and eventually became
known as a well-to-do farmer Of weathersfed and
rated as being worth s25000 $4,000.
In fact, the farm and all its appurtcnances and
stock was considered one of the best in Vermont.
When he arrested this property under no en-
cumbrances. To-day it is all gone, and, in his own
language to the HERALD reporter, he says. Il have
not one dollar in the world left me with which TO
help myself provide me with small comforts while
here in this prison confinement. My only child--a
grown up daughter-received almost nothing from
my estate and articles taken and sold that
belonged to her. Valuable cattle were closed right
out at the prices usually had for common stock.
and many things at ruinous prices; among others
fine top buggy, which had been perhaps five
six times. for which had paid $780, and had given to
my daughter, sold for $50 There need of this
sacrifice. but those who had charge of my property
tried to get il into money at any price at once They
have rendered me account since they have made
q final disposition of my estate. In my confinement
they have not visited me- but on the contrary.
have falsihed in regard to my conduct here. and
strven to convey the impression that dangerous
and malicous-a man to be feared. These reports
the Superintendent has branded untrue
REVIEW
At the time Of the trial Of Henry Grayene for the
murder OF Herbert o. White it seemed evident to
every fair and impartial man that. back Of and be-
he desire haf no
interest. and a determined interest that this
particular should be convicted OF the crime
charged against him. and every effort was resorted to
In order To this end. What that interest
did not appear 50 plainly, but that tremendous
effort being made to convict Graveline could
Fail to and know. That all may the force OF
the subjoined affidavit and that the people may be the
better able pass upon this matter brief review
and recapitulation seem necessary.
THE MURDER
In October. 1876 Of low birth and character
by the name Of Herbert o. White disappeared. and
after October nothing more known of him until
the body discovered about the last of the month
In wen in a pasture belonging to Graveline
Various conjectures ahoat regarding White and
after the 10th of October. when the buildings OF
wealthy farmer named Weston were consumed by fire
the prevailing opinion that White had fired the
buildings and made good his escape he had before
Chester, an adjoining town.
SHARP LEGAL LIMBS woR-,-
On the 11th il runored that for this Graveline
was 10 be arrested. and one Batchelder of Windsor
OF the law firm Of Edrninster 4 Batchelder went to
Graveline and urged that all of Gravelines property
be put into the hands OF his partner Edminster and
advised that there be delay, he would certainly
be arrested his property attached and himself be
placed III jail without any hope of bail Other per-
Of his acquaintance suggested by Grave
line. against all of whom objection was raised. and
finally the transfer Of all his real estate and head
~ gust1a al.t I.f.
that he had full proof of his being at home the
night Of the 10th, his counsel would not permit
him at the preliminary examination To employ
his testimony, but advised that it be re-
served untn he got TO the County Court.
they would surely commit him to Jail. The transfer
Of the property made for the sole purpose Of
securing bail III case Of committal, and il TO be
obtained Immediately ss property amounting to fully
three four times the amount of his bail had been
turned over. Examination waived and bail fixed
At $1,000. Graveline, chahng under confinement in
Jail was informed by Batchelder that Edminster
would not be accepted, and they In search Of
another man. whom. IL seems they did not find. Whites
body had in the meantime been found in the well.
and warrant issued and placed in Jailer Hewitts
hands for Gravelincs arrest for murder. Meanwhile
parties wero at work attacking flank and rear.
Ing. threatening, urging pcrsuading, netting and
sextng this nan-all on the alert for sign, word
gesture-one look, anything 20 be construed against
bis interest Among the number Of the besegers
one Tim Hann. who. - alleged, had left prison the
April before, having served term OF years therein.
he was one Of the principal witnesses for the State at
tho murder trial | have Gravcliuc again al the
Jail and obtained from him fuller statement which
IL as follows
GIAyEL1SE's SECOND STATEMENT
IL do not wish 20 trcspasa the time or the atten-
ton OF the public to uncomfortable extent but IL
sentence OF the law ~ carried out this will be almost
my last opportunity to say word i'm my own be-
half, and do not want 70 60 down 70 my grave
branded as l have been with these calumIles now
almost impossible for me b. rcfute 10 the world at
large IL may seem strange that here in my cell
doomed. should care, but they do annoy me even
here. How man, OF such q character, rumor has
given me could have lived ami labored and assoc-
atcd with for forty eight years make friends an
accumulate property, and not come under the ban of
suspicion. open violator Of law and criminal is
almost absurd thing TO think Of. And suppose
by many this Is the natural aud anticipated end Of
such life.
NE APPEALS CAREER.
my neighbors and my friends shall be my judges
upon that score. and upon them viii depend FOR
decision about my character. Ask them whose horse
went oftanest IN all the neigLborhood ~ obtain a
doctor for the sick. Ask them II when needing farm
utensils they did not first 10 for they knew
Of sorts aud kinds had them ali aud would freely
lend. Ask them IL they had property for sale, that
no one Ell wOuld buy III they did not tU