Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-11-24
Today's Telegraphie News
The Gillette Case.


Herkimer, n. 4. NOV. o. Chester
F. Gillette has undergone secret in
quiry into his sanity by three alienists.
He has been pronounced perfectly sane
The fact thst an investigation had been
conducted did not become known until
today. With the purpose Of forestslling
an insanity plea. as defense to the
charge of numbering his sweetheart,
Grace Brown, for which Gillette is on
trial, the prosecution decided to have
the prisoners mental faculties inquired
into.
Gilletle's father is Dowieite, and il
said to be religious fanatic. He sacri'
6ced all his furniture to the Zion City
prophet. The prisoners grandfather.
Albertus Gillette, is said to have been
mentally weak. Three alienists were
brought quietly to Herkiuer and taken
to the Jail. Gillette was told that he
would have to undergo an examination
and he readily consented.
Gillette was piled with questions con
corning his past life to test his power oil
memory and observation, after which
the alieniests applied the "peedle' test.
1t was found the Gillette was equally
sensitive on both sides of his body.
He was blindfolded and hatiron dropped
on his foot. Gillette was given other
tests and after long and severe exami
nation the three alienists agreed that
Gillette was mentally normal at the time
the girl was drowned, as we'll as at the
present time.
District Attorney Ward has kept the
strictest silence regarding the inVestiga-
ton designed to combat every point that
the State has made against him. Ches-
ter Gillette believes the story he will tell
the jury will save him from tho electric
chair. He rehearses his story daily 10
his cell. The prisoner each evening
goes carefully over the evidence given
during the days proceedings and con
structs his story 80 as to overthrow the
points the State had scored in its case.
Gillette has prepared maps of the Adj
rondack region, where the tragedy took
place. The movements and positions
testified to by witnesses are carefully
traced out on The maps by the prisoner,
who has constructed small plwns OF
crushed paper to represent persona
These pawns he moves about on The
map. Every morning before the depu'
~ comes to take him TO court Gillette
rehearses certain parts OF the story which
he will tell the jury, 80 that he has be
come letter perfect
Chester L. Gillette has an unknown
female admirer, Each day the prisoner
receives sweetly scented notes signed
"sIareuerite. No one knows who lht
mysterious woman is. Often she sends
mag azinss and books to Gillette, and in
one of her letters she hinted that power
fol influence would be exerled to obtain
his freedom Sheriff Richards reads al
of the missiyes before they are given t
Gillette.
Witnesses we're called when conr
opened today to testify as 10 The manne
of the carrying of The body from th'
GIenmore Hotel to The Big Moose station
The defense hoped TO show that thu
abrasions on the girls head we're cause
by being bounced over the heavy roads
in wagon without springs.
John DENT, the driver Of the wagon
testified that the wagon had six springs
and the road was in good condition.
Sheriff Richards testified today tina
he found GilIette's tennis racket in Ih'
woods near the road which Gillette
travelled to Eagle Bay Richards foant
the racket bali covered with dirt ant
NOSE. The web net OF the racket wal
sprung and the sides OF the bow split
Court adjourned with the conclusion
Of Sheriff Richards at noon, until Mon
day morning.