The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-30
PAYS WITH LIFE.
Continued from Page One.)

couple retraced their journey to Big
Moose where Gillette registered at
the Glenmore as Charles Graham,
Albany, and on the next line on the
register wrote he girls correct name
and address. Gillette inquired for
good places to take pfcureS and Sc
curing a boat rowed away over the
blue waters of the lake. Gillette car
racquet. The girls baggage had been
checked to Old Forge and she left
some of her wraps and hat at the
hotel.
Late that night Gillette appeared at
the Arrowhead on Eagle bay, twelve
miles from Big Moose. He had
walked through the woods carrying
the suit case and camera but the ten
mis- racquet was missing. His cloth
ing and baggage were dry. The next
day he went on an excursion with the
young women from Cortland whom
he had promised to meet.
Alarm was felt in Big Moose over
the failure of Gillette to return with
| the boat he had rented and search was
| made the next day. The boat was
found floating bottom up near the
shore in a secluded part of the lake,
with a woman's wrap. spread over the
bottom. The lake was dragged and
| the body of Grace Brown was found
about 500 feet from the shore. Gill
| lette subsequently was arrested at
Eagle bay on july 1 4.
The trial began at Herkimer at a
special term of the supreme court on
November ~, 1906 and on December
| 5 Gillette was found guilty of murder
| in the first degree and sentenced to
| death. The prosecution presented a
| chain of evidence which the defense
was unable to break down. Gillette,
| who testified, denied none of the evil
| dence except the actual killing of the
girl. He said she had urged him to
marry her but that he was not in a
| position to do so at that time as he
| riage would mean the loss of his posi-
| ton in the factory. He said the girl
arose in the boat, declaring that she
| would end the matter then and there,
| and 1eaped overheard. The boat was
| overturned, he claimed, and although
| he made efforts to save the girl from
| drowning he was unable to do so. The
| evidence showed that the water was
| but few feet deep. Upon his fail
| ure to rescue the girl he said he had
waded ashore. He explained the
| condition of his baggage by saying
| that he had left it on the bank where
| they had partaken of some light
luncheon. The tennis racquet, with
| which the prosecution claimed he
/ dealt the girls death blow, was found
| hidden in the woods after weeks Cd
| search.
|
| was stayed by an appeal to the court
| of appeals on January 10. 1907, and
| on January s last the case was argued
The court affirmed the judgment OF
conviction and fixed the week Begin
| ming March 80 for carrying out the
| death sentence.
Gillette's mother visited Albany and
| pleaded with Governor Hughes tc
| commute the death sentence to life
| imprisonment but the governor de.
clined to interfere.
His Mothers Statement.
Mrs. Gillette, mother of Chester
| made a statement today in part as fol.
lows:
Though it is a very hard thing fol
me to feel Chester was responsible fol
Grace Browns death, yet it was thi
wish expressed to him continually by
me that if he was guilty he should say
so before the world and in his tri
umphant death I feel that God has an
swered my dearest wish and prayer
And I am also so thankful to know
that he did not strike Grace Brown
as described by the prosecution. A fut
account will never be given out, for h
did not strike Grace Brown.
II feel that he should have had an
other trial where he could have hat
an opportunity before an unprejudicet
court and jury, and where fair state
ments could have been made and con
| sidered, but my boy was ready to g
and I have nothing to say agains
Governor Hughes decision. think h
|. decided what he thinks just, but h
l has shown no mercy.
/ God has not failed us and He neve
i | will those who trust Him. 1 trust tina
there will be a strong protest agains
Il | capital punishment, in this that
i young life recently given to God ha
been cut off by the law, when it nigh
have been spared to be useful to tn
world in one of the darkest places 0
III that world-a penitentiary.
i strangers all through the Unite'
! States have become friends in thi
hour of trouble and to them through
the press we as parents and brother
ii and sisters, wish to express our ap
1 probation and thanks. They hav
helped US to bear the heavy burde
i 1 w, io1 nac 70