Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-03-30
GILLETTE. PAYS
The PENALTY
Put 10 Death for the KiIIine Of
Grace Brown.,GOvernOr Rsfus-
ed TO Intervene.
SAYS CONVICTION WAS JUST

Executive Says He Found No Ground
for Interference in the Alleged
Discoveries About Young Mans
Victim-Last Visit by His Parents
to Auburn Cell-Request That
Aunt Witness Execution Denied.
Special By United Press Wire:
AUBURN, N. Y, Mar. 30:-Ches-
ter E. Gillette was electrocuted in
Auburn prison at 6:20 o'clock this
morning for numbering Grace Brown,
his sweetheart, after confessing the
crime in almost his last breath to
Herrick. The ministers refused to
give the details of his confession, but
Gillette's last message was: Tell
and nothing stands between me and
Him. Tell her l have no hard feel
|ings against any one. I'm sorry for
all the anguish I've caused"
Gillette entered the death house
pale and calm, attended by Rev. Nc
Ilravy and Chaplain Herrick. At
|6:12 O'Clock he stepped into the cleo
trio chair firmly, without speaking,
and, after 1900 volts have been ap-
piled, in thirty seconds he was pro-
nounced dead. Rev. Mr.. McIlravy
tainted.
On his last night on earth, Gillette
prepared statement which was given
out by Warden Benham today. 1t
says: "In the shadow of the valley
of death it's my desire to do every
thing to remove doubt that I found
Jesus Christ, my personal Saviour,
an unfailing Friend. My one regret
at this time Is that I did not give
him prominence in my life when /
had chance to work for him." Con-
tinuing he urges all young men to be
righteous and ends as follows:. my
task is done, victory is won."
During the execution Gillette's
father, mother, two sisters and his
brother, his aunt, Miss Catherine Gil
lette, and Miss Bernice Ferrin,
family friend who knew Gillette In
Oberlin College, stayed at the Sal
vation Army headquarters. They
waited all night and when the news
that It was all over was brought, Mrs.
Gillette tainted.
Gillette bid his relatives goodbye
yesterday afternoon and, according
to Chaplain Herriek, one of his last
acts was to defend Grace Brown, say
ing the low, slanderous statements
before Governor Hughes, Saturday,
defaming her, were lies.
The last memorandum of Governor
Hughes in the case says in part:
"On Dec. A, 1906, Chester Gillette
was convicted Of the murder Of Grace
Brown on July II Of that year. On
Feb. 10, 1908, the court Of appeals
unanimously affirmed the judgment,
and he was then sentenced to suffer
the death penalty during the week be-
ginning March 80. Upon application
careful examination of the evidence
reached the conclusion that there was
no ground upon which l should be JUS
titled in interfering with the execution
Of the judgment Of the court.
New Evidence Of No Value.
"A portion Of the alleged newly dis
covered evidence is to the effect that
Gillette had torn the ribbon band from
his straw hat in September, 1905, and
had given 1t to his companion. The
object II to rebut any inference from
the absence Of the interior lining of
the prisoners hat when the latter was
found floating on Big Moose lake that
It had been taken out to avoid identifi-
cation. This, however. is Of no impor-
tance. By his conduct both before and
after the fatal event it is conclusively
established that he did seek to avoid
Identification, and the question wheth-
0r or not he removed the lining of his
hat for that purpose Is not of much mo-
ment.
''The other evidence before me so far
as 1t is at all credible is to the effect
that Grace Brown during the year pre-
ceding her death had spasms' or
spells from time to time in which she
became unconscious. 1t is evident that
the facts as to the physical condition
of Grace Brown and as to these al
legged manifestations, assuming the
truth Of the present statements, were
easily procurabls and that any infer
ences to be drawn therefrom have at
all times been available
"The theory of the defense at the
trial was that Grace Brown commit
ted suicide
"The theory now advanced is that
Grace Brown was an epileptic subject
and that IL she had an epileptic seizure
in the boat on the fatal day and If |
during the attack she sustained the va
rious injuries found and fell into the
water, the condition of her body as
disclosed by the autopsy might be ac-
counted for.
Contradioted by Gillette Himself.
"But this theory is wholly untenable.
1t is conclusively disposed of by the
statements, conduct and testimony of |
Chester Gillette himself. If 1t be as
sumed that there was such seizure |
and fall as might be deemed to account |
for the condition Of the body, it is in
conceivable that they should have es-
(COufinuad On paoo z