New-York tribune., 1908-03-29
HIS FATE WITH HUGHES
NEW GILLETTE EVIDENCE
GOUernor VIII Not Announce His
Decision Before To-dau.

Albany, March ss.-Once more the life of Chester
Gillette lies In the hands of Governor Hughes
What is asserted to be newly discovered evidence
was submitted to the Governor to-day and be-
tween now and tomorrow night he win decide
whether or not he will reprieve the young man.
who without his interference would die
electric chair at Auburn prison probably in the
dawn OF next Monday morning
The gist Of the evidence which the Gillette fam
fy proposes to submit to the court in the
Governor gives them time is that Grace Brown of
South Otselio, for whose alleged murder at Big
Moose Lake in July 1906, Gillette is sentenced to
die. was subject to epileptic seizures OF which,
it is declared, might account for the bodily injuries
disclosed by the autopsy; also that the ribbon in
the top OF Gillette's straw hat, the absence Of
which, when the hat was found beside the boat the
day after the tragedy. appeared to indicate a hur-
ried effort to remove means of identification,
in fact torn from the hat nearly year before
That the Governor considering still further
allegations about which he was very reticent
shown by the fact that a single male witness
whose name was withheld twice before the
Governor in private. What his evidence might be
could only be surmsed, but it believed that IT
was presented In the effort to convince the Gov
ernor that the motive for the murder of the girl
attributed to Gillette by the prosecution
obvious and pressing the jury made to be-
Heve.
Ex-senator Albert NJ Mills Of IEtle Falls who
conducted Gillettes defence before the trial court
and his appeal before the Court OF Appeals. came
here this afternoon in accordance with the desire
| both of Governor Hughes and OF John H. Dugan
the Albany lawyer, who represents the Gillette
family in this proceeding. and closeted for
some time with the Governor. 1t learned that
the evidence which # is hoped get a respite
was new to Mr.. Mills, and he expressed him.
self
The executive chamber was crowded both at 10
a m. when the hearing scheduled begin
and late this afternoon, at a second session. The
only testimony given in public, however, was that
| of Mrs Neva Wilcox. Mrs. Elda NJ. Hoag and Al
bert II. Gross. all three employees in the Gillette
shirt factory. at Cortland. where Gillette and Grace
Brown both worked. They merely verified orally
their affidavits that Grace Brown had 'spasms," :"
which was matter OF common knowledge in the
factory. Miss Etoile NJ. Gillette. third cousin
Of the condemned young man. swore orally. as she
did in her affidavit. that the ribbon was torn from
Gillettes straw hat and given 10 her during out
| ing at McGrawville Cortland. In September.
| 1906 Another affidavit regarding the "spasms' of
| Grace Brown signed by Mrs. Adde Olds, OF
| Cortland. She present, but did not testify.
There also fled with the Governor affi-
| davit by Albert H Hamilton. a chemist of Au-
burn who SAYS ne had had special experience In
| autopses where death due 10 drowning or vio-
| lence. Among other things. he says:
| In my opinion. all these things Creferrng the
assertions that G1aee b Br0wn WAS sIh5sGs TO fP
FIRST. an epileptic attack and a fail followed by
| death from complete and violent drowning. and
owed b. partial droWhins and also ais say that il
Grace Brown tiid have epileptic seizure IN the
| boat Just before she entered the water. she
| would be very likely TO make sharp, shrin cry
| and fall into the water and become at once sub
strike her head against the boat. causing external
| injury TO the side OF the head found on the
| body of Grace Brown. and. If she did meet her
death in this way. the condition of the body would
| be the disclosed by the autopsy
Ny conclusions are. therefore. relying upon the
assumption that Grace Brown subject 10 cpl
leptic seizures that the probable OF her death
is epileptic seizure and fall therefrom and sub
sequeEt death by drowning.
Mr.. Hamilton asserts he has testified eS-
pert witness In twenty-nine murder trials. and
that he has practised chemist and ricroscop-
| list IN Auburn for the last twenty-three years.
MIR. and Mrs. Frank s. Gillette. parents of the
condemned man. and Miss Catherine Gillette. his
| aunt, present at both sessions
At the close of the oral testimony the Gov
| ernor announced that he would not make public
4 his decision before tomorrow Asked whether he
| would give instructions the State Prison De-
| partment TO delay the execution. which without
his interference. would be held early Monday morn
ing. the Governor replied Il have nothing to say
| about that You may draw your own conclusion
| Schenectady y. Y. March 2s-Douw l.. Sanders,
| Of Scotia. is the way to Albany IN answer to a
summons from Governor Hughes, with his diaries,
| account books and letters to show that Grace
4 had cont suicide.