The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-19
RITES MURDER A
MOST BRUTAL ONE
One of Most DastardIy and
CowardIy in History Of
PrebIe County.
KILLS WHILE .L0VE-MAO
KILLS WHILE .L0VE-MAD
SLAIN WOMAN REFUSED MURD-
ERER'S ATTENTIONS AFTER
SHE HAD LEARNED HIS CHAR
AcTER WAS NOT GOOD.
palladium Specially

palladium Specially
Eaton, O., Jan. 19-The crime for
which Harry Rife gave his life as toll
last night in the electric chair at Co
lumbus, was one of the most bastard
ly and cowardly that the criminal
records Of the county show. The
woman whom he shot was entirely
defenseless and powerless to escape
the heinous wrath of Rife.
Mrs. Ida Gilmore Griswold, his
victim, was shot July Sth, in the Eat
on public library, where she had
served for several years as librarian.
The killing of the woman followed a
short controversy between Rife and
his sweetheart, and was witnessed
only by the woman's son, Cloyd Girls
void. aged IL years, and Miss Grace
Gilmore, Mrs. Griswold's sister.
Was Killed Instantly.
The awful climax to the contro-
versy came Immediately after Rife
made statement to the effect that
he "would settle the little matter
now, with the two witnesses" The
shot took effect in the woman's right
breast, and death was almost instan-
taneous. Shocked to his normal
senses, and realizing the enormity OF
his crime and the penalty it meant,
Rife turned the smoking weapon upon
himself and fired. The bullet grazed
the flesh in his left side, and he fell
to the floor, where he lay. feigning
death, until persons had responded to
the screams for help within the
building.
For the crime Rife could give no
reason. nor could there be any as
signed. other than that he must have
been momentarily crazed because the
affections he pressed upon the wom-
an had been spurned. So great was
his love for her, that letter found
in his effects stated he could not live
without her: and if he could not live,
neither could she.
She Learned His Record.
Mrs. Griswold had learned after an
extended acquaintance with Rife that
his previous moral record was not the
best, and from that she attempted to
| avoid his love. Beginning at this
point his life began to be mis-spent.
Mrs. Griswold was very prominent
in this city, both financially and So
cially. She was the oldest daughter
of Judge James A. and Mrs. Gilmore.
She had been married once to Don
Griswold, an Englishman, who shame
fully deserted her short time be-
fore the birth of her son. The news
of her death spread like wildfire in
the city and an intense feeling against
her slayer was aroused, but no ef-
forts at violence were made.
He was indicted by the grand jury
on the charge of premeditated and
placede on trial for his life August
30, 1909.
Hard to Secure Jury.
Two days were expended and two
special venires were exhausted before
twelve men could be secured to serve
as jurors in the case. The principal
number of those disqualified we're men
who were opposed to capital punish
ment. Others were turned down be-
cause they had formed an opinion in
the matter which they believed
could not be swayed by any evidence
that might be brought out in the trial.
Judge Elan Fisher, q neighbor Of
Mrs. Griswold. and the Gilmore fam
lily, heard the case. Prosecuting At
torney H. r. Gilmore being q brother
of the murdered woman was unable
to act in the case, and Attorney p. A.
Saylor was appointed special prose
cutor, and was assisted by John Ris-
niger, Of this city. Rife was defend
ed by Wilfred Jessup. Of Richmond,
Ind, and william b. Marsh, Of Eaton.
f. O. Dunlap. Of Dixon township. was
foreman of the jury which was com
posed Of men Of fair and just minds,
and who were willing to be directed
by their convictions in SO serious q
matter, where the life Of fellow man
was at stake.
/ Trial Lasts Two Days.
i After securing the jury, at the end
OF the second days hearing, the case
went to the jury. During the course
of the trial letters passing between
Rife and Mrs. Griswold were brought
forth and read. In all these were evi.
dences Of love, which seemed mutual
between the two; but In no instance
was there uncovered anything but q
moral friendship. Following state
i ment Of the case to the Jury by Attor.
.lContinned On Page Fivsl