Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-19
The End OF (Irayelin.

Henry Graveln the murderer OF Herbert o.
White, was hanged at Windsor on Friday last at
22i T. NJ. We give brief outline OF the execu-
tion and a sketch OF the man and his crime, as
noted in the Springfield Republican: He was the
first Of five condemned men In the prison to pay
the penalty The others are John p Phair Of
Rutland Asa Magoon Of Barre, Edward Tatro Of
Iighgate and Edwin c. Hayden Of Derby Line.
The first two are to be hanged this year and the
others later. The last execution in the state be-
fore Gravens was that Of Henry Welcome, sew
enteen years old, who was hanged January 20,
1871, for the murder Of Perry Russell at Hines.
burg. Gravelin's execution took place In the
prison corridor, few spectators being present.
At 210 o'clock he left his cell between two dep
uty sheritfs, holding crucfx in his hand and at
tended by Father Classy, of st. Adams. On the
gallows and while the death warrant was being
read, he looked into vacancy and kept up a con-
tinual chewing on something. The priest prayed,
and then Gravelin said: " am going out OF
this world forgiven. and hope the Lord will for
give my trespasses as forgive those who trespass
against me" Those who expected confession
were disappointed The prisoners arms and legs
were pinioned and the drop fell Gravelin died
instantly, his neck being broken, and at the end
OF thirteen minutes his body was taken down and
given to his friends. During the day Gravelin
strongly protested his innocence, saying he could
not acknowledge committing the murder; he did
not know who were the murderers, though he
suspected that two men, Carpenter and Massey,
were concerned in it. Concluding he said: al
feel as though | had been robbed and murdered
and lied into my grave. lay the whole of 1t to
my counsel, Edninster and Batcheder.''
Gravelin was born at Black River village, =. O.,
in 1890, and at the age OF twenty-three emigrated
to Claremont N, H. lie married an American
and accumulated considerable property, some say
by hard labor and saving, and others that his
methods were criminal Later he moved to
Weathersfeld, Vt where his wife died, leaving
him one daughter. He became connected with a
sheep-stealing gang in Windsor county, and among
his companions were White-his victim - Jas
Weston and others. The latter won away Grave
Inns mistress and had his house daubed with
paint and his windows broken at night in retalia-
ton. Graven and White were sued for the out
rage, and White turned states evidence. On the
night Of October 10th Weston's buildings were
burned and Gravelin was arrested for arson. In
the meantime White was missing, and his mangled
body found in well on Gravelin's premises
lie was last seen alive with Gravelin on the night
of October 9Th and the latter was held for murder
the charge OF arson being dropped. The prisoner
was confined in the Woodstock Jail till he at.
tempted to escape, when he was taken to the
Windsor prison. January 18th, 1877, he wa.
found guilty, the strongest circumstantial evidence
having been given during the trial. When he
heard the verdict Gravelin broke down, and q
few days later he attempted suicide by cutting hi,
throat with piece Of lookng-gass. His counse
filed exceptions, but they were not sustained
Then the Supreme Court and the state legislature
were appealed to unsuccessfully for new trial
| As a last resort Governor Proctor was asked tc
grant six months reprieve, on the ground o.
| important new evidence tramp, calling him
self John Jacobs, had turned up at Tiblow, Kansas
| and confessed, while drunk, TO killing man ant
burning buildings in Windsor county, Vt, Grave
Inns friends said They also produced an anony
nous letter, distinguished for Its literacy solely
in which the writer claimed to be Whites muir
derer, and that he wished to save Gravelin; ant
Mrs. Charles l.. Shiette, of Weathersfield, identi
fed the handwriting that of her former hus
band, who had been divorced from her soon ate
Whites murder and then disappeared. This man
she saiu, hau peeh unusually nervous ana timlo
after the crime, refusing to go out doors at night
He had formerly belonged to Gravelin's clique
and the theory was that he and Jacobs were tn,
same person. Jacobs could not be found, how
ever, and as none of the evidence against Grave
lin was disproved the reprieve was denied. Tn
struggle to save Gravelns life was persistent
continuing to the day before his death, and mucl
OF the SO, 900 property which he had when he wa
arrested with money advanced by his brother
Celestien, wealthy Kanakee, Illinois, citizen, i
said to have been wasted in the effort
The execution passed off without any OF thos
sickening scenes which occasionally occur. AM
Sheriff stmson is entitled to much credit for hi
management Of the dreadful necessity.