Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-21
EXECUTION OF GRAVELlN,
THE MURDERER.
The Parting From His Daughter.
KISSING THE CRUCIF1X,
lie Steps Upon the Drop,
AND DIES WITHOUT A STRUGGLE
The Murderer's Statement.
A SOLEMN AFFIRMATION OF
HIS INNOCENCE.

WISDsoK, VT, March li.-Henry Grave
lin, the murderer of Herbert o. White, was.
according to warrant. hanged here, to-day.
For some time since the unfortunate man
has been kept in solitary confinement, &C.
cording to the sentence aad q constant
watch bas hcon g,a-d III! LII to thwart
any attempt at self-des.ruction should he
attempt it. Up to the night of the
hearing Grsvelin was in cheerful mood,
though. as was to be expected, not partic-
ularly hopeful. ae asserted bis innocence
of the crime for which sentence had been
passed. and that he was to die for another's
guilt; and said that he was guiltless of
any knowledge of or participation in the
crime charged against him. Fathers Druon
and Caissy. of St. Adams, his spiritual ad
viscrs, spent Thursday afternoon with him.
On Thursday night he slept very little and
appeared restless and uneasy. His daughter
has been frequent visitor to her fathers
cell and was wholly overcome at his dreadful
fate. Her final parting with him. Thurs
day, was affecting beyond description. and
sad enough to melt the s.outest heart.
The execution was conducted by 5. W.
Stimson. Sheriff of Windsor county who
was assisted by his deputies. Ii
was as private as possible, and ad-
mission was only BY ticket. The gallows
used was the same By which Ward and
Welcome were executed and which was
raised two years ago for the hanging of
John p. Phair, when that murderer so mar
rowly escaped it.
The Closing Scene.
ON TIE WAY TO THE GALLONS.
Large numbers of people began to gather
outside the prison, along State street and
in front OF the guard house by 1870, and
stood there amid the drizzling rain for two
hours Some fifty or more, including re-
porters and friends. or enemies Of the
culprit, and some who had gained admis-
sion out of curiosity, were waiting in the
guardrolm for an opportunity to enter, as
it was understood the doors would bo
opened at l:30. At two o'clock the great
iron doors swung open and those who had
tickets from Sheriff Stimson were allowed
to enter The gallows were in place at the
east end OF the new prison, whore never
was man hanged before,-beng the same
used for the other Weathcrsfied murderer
Miller. All expected Gravelin would break
down and it would be necessary to carry
him to the platform, but it was not 50.
Bishop De Goesbriand, of the Roman
Catholic diocese of Burlington. because of
illness was prevented attending. to-day, and
the Rev. George N. Classy, pastor of the
Roman Catholic church of the Holy Guar
dian Angels, of ST. Albsns, VT, acted in
his stead, IN connection with the chaplain
of the prison, VIM. Mick. AT 80
Gravelin was called by Sheriff Slim
son to be ready for the ordeal He
took in his right hand crucifx. and,
supported by Deputy Sheriff, Hewett and
Lowell. walked ont to his doom. following
closely after Sheriff Stimson and Chaplain
Mick, Father CAissy and Deputy Wallace.
W Ullc luc Sutllu Wd- tuC
warrant .Grayein looked at nobody and kept
chewing something.
Final Appeals to the Throne of God.
CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT UNITE IN THE
LAST PRAYER TO THE FATHER OF ALL.
Father Cai->y offered an ex tempore
prayer, saying: 80 Father. behold the
sinner vino l. ..cia. to appear before that
tribunal of eternity. We all need more or
less of Thy pardon for Thou vii. punish or
reward u according 10 our deeds. Forgive
him, o, Father, aS he forgiyes all who
trespassed against him through the merits
of Thy blood and Thy passion | ask it.
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen"
Chaplain Mick followed in an earnest petit
ton for pardon.