The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-04-02

SdH w 80 mSdH as that, ana besides
you told me you would come and you
have disappointed me when you
said o would not"
Chester, there isn't q girl In the
world as miserable as I am tonight"
h wrote in her next letter, "'and you
have made me feel so. Chester, I don't
mean that dear; you have always been
awfully good to me and I know you
will always be. You just won't be a
coward. ! know, You must write more
often, please, and, dear, when you read
my letters, IL you think I am unreason-
able, please do not mind 1t, but do
think l am about crazy with grief and
that l don't know just what to do
In her next letter she told of receiv-
ing a letter from a girl friend. This
girl wrote me-" she said. that you
seemed to be having an awfully good
time, and h guessed hat my coming
not seemed SO cheerful in weeks. . " .
L should have known, Chester, that
you, did not are for me. But somehow
l have trusted you more than anyone
else. Perhaps you don't think or you
can't help making me grieve. but I
wish things were different. You may
say you do too. but you can't possibly
wish so more than 1. 1 have been
very brave since / came home. but to-
a III NLSSOuIaBCu' NlCClSIs IL 4
could only die. l know how you feel
about this affair and I wish for your
sake you need not be troubled. If I
die l hope you can then be happy"
His Letters Cool.
The GOODNESS of GilIette's replies to
the girls fervent pleadings caused her
to say in her mex letter: l..
Il was glad to hear from you and
surprised as we'll. 1 thought you would
rather have my letters affectionate, but
yours was so business like that I have
come to the conclusion hat you wish
mine to be that way. I may tell you,
though. that I am not a business wom-
an 80 presume that these letters will
not satisfy you any more than the
others did. I think. pardon me, that I
understand my position and that 1t is
rather unnecessary for you to to be Is
frank in making me see it.
l can see my position as keen as any
one, I think. You say you were sur
prised, but you thought I would be dis
couraged. l don't see why I should not
had from you since l am home to n
courage me7"
Then. further along in the same let
ter, the girls spirit Of self-sacrihce
asserted itself and she wrote
Chester, 1 don't suppose you will
ever know how I regret being all this
trouble to you. I know you hate me
and I can't blame you one bit. OF
it's worse for me than for you.
but the world and you, too, may think
I am the n to blame, but somehow
l can't, just simply can't think that I
am, Chester.
My little sister came up just a
minute ago with her hands full Of
daisies and asked me If 1 didn't want
my fortune told. I told her I guessed
1t was pretty well told now."
Meeting Arranged.
Plans were arranged by letter for a
meeting at DeRuyter and Gillette Sc
cured leave of absence from the fac
tory. He arrived at DeRuyter on the
evening of July 8 and registered at a
hotel as Charles George. The next day
Grace Brown left South Otselic osten-
sibly for CTEtland. but changed cars
for Utica at DeRuyter, where h was
Joined by Gillette. On the journey to
Utica Gillette did not share the seat
with Billy but chatted with other
girls IN the train from Cortland and
made an appointment to meet them
later in the week at Eagle Bay. At
Utica Gillette registered Grace Brown
and himself as Charles Gordon and
wife, New York. They left the next
morning. Gillette did not pay his bill.
but directed that some laundry which
he had left behind be sent by express
to Eagle Bay.
The couple went to Upper Lake reg
istering at a boarding house there as
Charles George and wife, New York.
While at Upper Lake Gillette inquired
for n quiet lake and Grace Brown threw
herself into the arms Of a maid who
had brought her q glass Of water, and
burst into tears.
On the morning of July IL the couple
retraced their journey to Big Moose,
where Gillette registered at the Glen
more as Charles Graham, Albany, and
on the next line OIL the register wrote
the girls correct name and address.
Gillette inquired for a good place to
take pictures and securing a BOAT rowed
AVA over the blue waters Of the lake.
Gillette carried a suit case. camera and
tennis racquet. The girls baggage had
checked to Old Forge and she left
some Of her wraps n hat at the hotel.
Late that night Gillette appeared at
the Arrowhead on Eagle Bay, II miles
from Big Nose. He had walked through
the woods, carrying the suit case and
camera but the tennis racquet was mis-
sing. His clothing and baggage were
dry. The next day he went on an ex-
cursion 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 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 800 feet
from the shore. Gillette subsequently
was arrested at Eagle Bay on July II.
GilIette's Story.
The trial began at Herkimer at a.
special term of the supreme court on
November II. 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 evidence
except the actual killing of the girl.
He said she had urged him to marry
her but that he vas not in a position
to do so at that time as he had but
scant means and his marriage would
the loss Of his position in the
factory. He said the girl arose In the
boat, declaring that she would end the
matter then and there, and leaped over
board. The boat was overturned, he
claimed. and although he made efforts,
go ELA. II Il