The sun., 1879-03-15
HENRY GRAVELTN HANGED.


HENRY GR1VELTN HANGED.
Convicted OF Arson aud Murder. hut Protest
Ing hts Innocence to the Last.
WINDSOR, Vt, March 14.-Henry Grave
lin. tho wealthy French Canadian farmer. who
murdered Herbert o. White OF wethersneld.
Vt. in October. 1875. wis hanged here to-day
On Oct. 10. 1876. n valuable set OF frame build
ings owned by Horace Weston OF wethersnold
were burned. The origin OF the fire was owl
IDENTITY incendiary and suspicion pointed to
Henry Gravelin. who had been heard to utter
threats against Weston. and between whom and
Weston bitter feud had long existed. Grave
lin was accordingly arrested. tried and con-
vcted OF incendarism. Previous to this
Gravolin had boon mulcted in considerable
sum in a civil suit brought by Weston. Her
bert o. White was the principal witness for
Weston. and II was upon his testimony. mainly.
that Gravelin was defeated. When Gravelin
was arrested upon the charge OF incendiarlsm.
White had been mysteriousy missing for four
or fve days. The citizens OF Wothersneld then
first began to suspect foul play and express
their belief that Henry Gravelin had also had
something to do with the absence OF White.
0mcers searched for tho missing man, and
discovered his mangled remains In a deep
well about $50 rods from Gravclin's house,
the strength OF this discovery Gravelin was ar
rested on tho charge OF murder, was tried, con-
victed and sentenced to depth in December
1876 The evidence upon which Grayelin was
convicted was mainly circumstantial. but tho
chain was 80 complete ns 10 scatter AL doubts in
the minds OF the jury rs 10 his guilt II was
proven co6ciusiy6iy ;hat Gravelin was tho only
man who could have had any motive for com
mitting the deed. II was well known also that
Gravelin entertained hard feelings toward
White on account OF his testimony in the law
suit previously mentioned. II was also In evil
dence from trustworthy persons that Gravelin
had admitted his guilt TO them.
shortly after Gravelin was sentenced. he np-
pointed Mr.. Albert Preston. HE agent and attor-
ney, 10 look after his property valued at fully
$4,000. Just prior to the last session OF the
Vermont Legislature. efforts we're made to Sc
cure commutation OF Gravein's sentence. or
the granting Of new trial. Gravelin's counsel,
the Hon, j. W. Dean Of Claremont. " H.. based
his application upon asomewhat remarkable
affidavit of Preston. Gravein's agent aud attor-
ney. to tho effect that Tim Hanlin, who testified
at the murder trial that Grnvcin had confessed
the murder 10 him lHanlin). was In tho employ
OF an insurance company interested in the
property Of Weston. which Gruveln was con-
vlcted OF burning that the testimony was bogus.
came before The judiciary Committee Of
the Legislature. representatives OF tho in
Kmsden. aud States Attorney Norman
Paul appeared and testified that the conspiracy
affirmed by Preston was utterly false. Accord
lngly the Committee reported adversely upon
Graveln's petition. week ago to-day. Gov.
Proctor Was asked to grant Gravelin a reprieyo
dence bad been obtained in Grayeiin's favor.
This claim was based upon nthdaviis OF per-
sSns ohs IN weS rbo mat
from Vermont 10 Kansas in the spring of 1878.
had been heard to say that he could clear
reviewing theicase at length, said: - | am will
ing TO give the petitioner the benefit ot every
| reasonable doubt: but. after hearing both sides
/ must with proper respect for law and JUS
tice deny tho prayer of the petition"
large number OF persons surrounded the
NtNrr Vsafi in n IFN inn
| rain in the hope OF admittnnce. but only linz
! tied few were allowed to enter. The gallows is
| the same as that on which the murderer MelleT
was hanged. Grayelin was attended 10y the Rev.
Father Classy Of St Adams. He did not. as was
| expected. confess. lie asserted that he could
| not acknowledge committing the murder aud
! tell the truth. nor could he saw who committed
the crime He had his suspicious as to who
! committed the murder and thought a mar
| named Massey and another named Carpenter
| may have been concerned in IT,, He asserted his
| innocence in strong terms, and said feel as
though had been robbed and murdered an,
counsel. Edmlnster Bat,heder."
At 10 o'clock he walked to the gallows witt
n cruclflX in his hand between two deputy sher
IFS. and while the denth warrant was beinl
| read looked at no one. hut seemed 20 be- chew
ing something. Father Caissy offered an ex
| tempore prayer. after which Gravelln was ask
ed u he had anything 70 say. He repled;, Al
world forgiven. and | nope the Lord will for
give my trespasscs, rs forgive those who tres
his arms and legs were pinioned. and the drol
fell His neck was instantly broken. and at In
end Of thirteen minutes his body was delivere
to his friends.
Yesterday Gravelin made 10 Superintendent
Price a detailed statement OF his early history
his earnings and savings up TO tho time OF hi
arrest, concluding as tollows:
| I was said 10 be worth bv most people soon wa
not but worth from $4,000 10 5000 thad besidc
my Arms stock. farming tools produce &c. hank note
and money due n the amount II a. 30 NV pronort
has been quandered In the following manner by the a'
nrtn Edtnuser Batchclder; Weston recovered ~ 81
In and the home iArin and the remainder Of NJ
property was used ~ By my lawyers Ihaye not had
dollar comfort while have been subject 10 u
carceration. The cause Of my prosperity financially
simply this: married an American girl vii
made me a Kind and good wife. She the mother
child whose name - Jennie. Ny VIE was eci
nomic al industrious aAd ne at housekeepsr Her aim
life the promotion ot INV happiness AMI the accum
lauon OF wealth. shall die happy with the hone
meeting my dear wife in the next World She died at III
Of 81 % typhoid pneumonia. leave my only ch
1csiitute O any property. l have worked hard all %
latter DAYS that might leave my child IN eonoftab
| circumstances
Jennie his only daughter. took leave Of hiI
! yesterday; the scene WAS very affecting.
| Grnveln is the fourth man whom Il has bee
| the unpleasant duty Of sheriff StimpsOn
hang during his term Of office Following clos
after Gravelin's will be the hanging OF PhAir, fc
the murder OF Mrs. Freese Of Rutland, W.
the same prison with Gravelin and Phnir al
! three o.hcr murderers awaiting tho eXecutlo
OF the death sentence,