Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-30
Gillette's Record in Prison.

Auburn, N. Y., March 30.-FrOm the time he entered Auburn prison under death sentence until he walked into the electrocution chamber, this morning, Chester Gillette behaved in way that is equalled by the records of few men who have been inmates of murderers' row, and the men whose duty brought them in immedi- ate contact with him spoke in the highest terms of the life of the con- demned during the time that he oc- cupied a place in the corridor. Gil- lette's life in the prison from the very beginning was characterized by the most obedient and tractable spirit. He was unlike most of the other men who have oeen in the condemned row in that he showed lot of diffidence in talking about his case. Gillette from the begin ming manifested cheery disposition and seemed confident that there would be some way by which he would not be obliged to pay the death penalty.
 Gillette was a great reader in prison. He first was much taken up with fiction and the best that the prison library afforded was provided for him. After a time his mind turned to other subjects. After the fiction he took up travel, science, philosophy, religion and history. He also seemed to be particularly inter- ested in logic and psychology.
 His cheery disposition and genial ways made him favorite with the other inmates of murderers' TOW and he endeavored, as far as he was able. to be helpful to several of those who were not favored with as good an education as he possessed and oftimes read aloud to the others from books and magazines. Gil- lettte's last night was a quiet one. He slept little. his spiritual ad- wiser, Rev Henry McIlrayy, being close at hand.
 At 5 a. m., an hour before the time set for the electrocutinn, Crow ly asked Gillette if he did not want breakfast.
 No, I don't care for any," he said.
 You better take something" said Chaplain Herrick. Take some cof- fee and little something 70 eat"
 "All right" replied Gillette.
 Cereal, coffee, eggs and toast were then taken to him and he ate of it. The autopsy that was performed im- mediately after the electroeution showed that Gillette was a normal man. The brain weighed 57Iz ounces: there was a slight adhesion in the right lung. The heart was smaller than the normal mans, weighing a scant twelve ounces. Gil- lette's weight was given as 146 pounds and his height , feet Sh inches.
 Governor Refuses to Interfere.
 The last memorandum of Governor Hughes in the case says in part:
 -on Dec. 1. 1906. Chester Gillette was convicted of the murder of Grace Brown on July Ii of that year. On Feb. IS. 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 30. Upon application for executive eIenency and after a careful examination of the evidence reached the conclusion that there was no ground upen which should be jus tified in interfering with the execution of the judgment of the court
 Ns~ Evidence ef 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. 1e6. and hsd given 1t 10 his companion The object Is to rebut any inference from the shssnce of the interior lining of the prisoners hst when the latter was found fosting on Big Moose lake that if hsd ben taken out to avoid i1entii- cstie1- This. however. is of no impor- tsnce. By hIs conduct both before and aftsr fhe fatal sTsnt 1t is conciasfvely s<tzsllskkt t>sk hz d sssk to aF1id