The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-04-03
CHESTER GILLETTE DIES
ADMITTING HIS GUILT
COnfessss That He Murdered Grace
Brown.
ISSUES "A WARNING 70 MEN.
EIectrocuted in Auburn Prison in One
Minute and Three Seconds After
One Application of Current Rev.
Henry MacIlravy Overcome and AS
sisted Out of Death Chamber.

Auburn, N. Y. Especially .-U nmov-
ed and without showing the faintest
sign of emotion Of any kind, Chester
Gillette was put to death in Auburn
prison. The electrocution was the
most successful that ever took place
in the local prison. But one contact
was required to carry the mandates of
the law into effect, and when that
was over the murderer of Grace
Brown had paid the penalty of his
crime
The current was of 1900 volts at
seven and half amperes, and 1t was
held on one minute and three seconds.
When this had been done careful ex-
aminations of the mans heart was
made, but there was no sign of life.
The Rev. Henry MacIlravy, of Lit
tie Falls, who,had been with Gillette,
was so overcome at the electrocution
that he was taken from the death
chamber before the contact was turn
ed off.
Fearful that he would collapse, he
started for the door leading to the
prison yard. Keepers walked beside
him.
March To The Death Chamber.
Witnesses assembled at the ward
ems Office at o'clock and at 60 the
march from the office down through
the south wing of the prison to the
death chamber was started and at
Gil, when State Electrician Davis
made his test of the machinery with
the bank of lights, the witnesses had
taken the seats assigned to them.
The test being finished, the word
was given and the door leading from
the death cells was opened. Gillette,
walking firmly and looking neither
to the right nor to the left, came
briskly along the row and into the
chamber. On either side of him was
a minister of the gospel, Chaplain
Herrick on his right and Rev. Nc
Iravy on his left. It was 6.12.35
when the little party entered the
chamber, and the work of strapping
the man in the chair was quickly
over The electric current was turned
ON at 6.14.03 and was switched off
at 6.15.06.
Gillette made a confession to his
spiritual advisers. Regarding this
the Rev Mr.. McIlravy gave out the
following statement:
Because our relationship with
Chester Gillette was privileged, we
do not deem it wise to make a de-
tailed statement, and simply wish to
say that no legal mistake was made
in his electrocution.
(Signed) Henry McIlravy.
Plea For The Better Life.
Besides the confession, Gillette had
a word 10 say to the young men of
the world. This was in commun-
ication that was handed to Warden
Benham:
'In the shadow of the Valley of
Death it is my desire to do every
thing that would remove any doubt
as to my having found Jesus Christ,
the personal Saviour and unfailing
Friend. My one regret at this time
paS that have not given Him the pre-
eminence In my fife while had the
opportunity to work for Him. If l
could only say some one thing that
would draw young men to Him,
would deem it the greatest privilege
ever granted me. But all can say
now is, I know in whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that He
is able to keep that which l have
committed unto Him against that
day
IF the young men of this country
could only know the joy and pleas
ure of Christian life, know they
would do all in their power to be-
come earnest, active Christians, ard
would strive to live as Christ would
have them live.
There is not one thing I have
left undone which will bar me from
facing my God, knowing that my sins
are forgiven, for I have been free
and frank in my talks with my spiri-
tual adviser, and God knows where
/ stand.
my task is done; the victory won.
(Signed) Chester E. Gillette
THREE KILLED FOR MONEY.