The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-04-02

Otselic ostensibly for Cortland but
changed oars for Utica at De Ruyter
where she was Joined by Gillette. on
the Journey to Utica Gillette did not
share the seat with Billy" but chat
ted with othey girls on the train from
Cortland and made an appointment
to meet them later in the week at
Eagle Bay. At Utica Gillette regis
tered 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 be-
hind. be sent by express to Eagle
Bay.
Burst Into Tears.
The couple went to Upper Lake
registering at a boarding house there
as Charles George and wife, New
York. While at Topper Lake Gillette
inquired for quiet lake and Grace
Brown threw herself into the arms OF
a maid who had brought her a glass
of water and burst into tears.
On the morning of July II the
cosple retfaced their journey to Big
Moose where Gillette registered at
the Glenmore as Charles Graham,
Albany. and on the next line on the
register wrote the girls correct name
and address. Gillette inquired for
good places to take pictures and se-
curing n boat rowed away over the
blue waters of the lakei Gillette
carried n suit case. camera and ten
mis- racquet. The girls baggage had
been checked to Old Forge and left
some of her wraps and baggage at
the hotel.
Appears Late That Night.
Late that night Gillette appeared
at the Arrow Head on Eagle Bay
twelve miles from Big Moose. He
had walked through the woods. car
rying the suit case and camera but
the tennis racquet was missing. His
clothing 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
shore in secluded part of the lake.
with moman's wrap spread over
the bottom. The lake was dragged
and the body of Grace Brown was
found about 300 feet from the shore.
Gillette subsequently was arrested at
Eagle Bay on July IA.
Guilty of Murder.
The trial began at Herkimer at II
special term of the supreme court on
November 10, 1906, and on December
b Gillette was found guilty of muir
der in the first dagree 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
iiSA puS biiht was Lol III
position to do so at that time as he
had but scant means and his marri-
age 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 leaped overheard. The
boat was overturned, he claimed.
and although he made efforts to save
the girl from drowning he was unable
10 do so. The evidence showed that
the water was but few feet deep.
Upon his failure to rescue the girl he
he said The waded ashore. He ex-
planned the condition of his baggage
by saying that he had left 1t on the
bank where they had partaken OF
some light luncheon.
The tennis racquet with which the
prosecution claimed he dealt the girl
a death blow. was found hidden in
Ele woods after weeks of search.
Execution Stayed.
The execution of the death penalty
was stayed by an appeal to the court
of appeals on January .. 1907. AMI
on January s. last, the case was ar
gued. The court affirmed the judg-
ment of conviction and fixed the
week beginning March 30 for carry
ing out the death sentence.
Gillette's mother visited Albany
and pleaded with Governor Hughes
to commute the death sentence to life
Imprisonment but the governor de-
clined to interfere.