Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-12
Muir Hanged in
Canada for Killing
Henri LaviOlette

Montreal, July 11.-Inree COrpeS
lie in the path of Walter Muir's bull
lets-his own, that Of Henri Lavio-
lette, for whose murder the twenty
one year old New York student paid
the supreme penalty of the law at
Valleyfield this morning. and that Of
Bertha Rose Laviolette, the seven
teen year old niece of the victim Of
the murder. The girl was seized
with a paralytic stroke at her home
Yesterday morning and died a few
hours later. Relatives attributed
her death to grief over her uncle.
The efforts of Mrs. Muir, up to
the very last minute of her sons
life, to obtain mercy for the youth
full slayer make up story of des-
pair, She left nothing undone to OBJ
tain stay of execution and not until
the black flag was flying from the
staff at Valleyfield jail did she cease
her efforts.
Several hours before the time fixed
for execution Muir's mother was in
front Of the prison. seated in an
automobile with one of her nieces. 1t
was said that Muir himself, had re-
quested that his mother be not, al
lowed to sNc him again. after she had
said goodbye for the last time at IL
o'clock last night.
Muir's body was removed tonight
to New York and will be taken to
Mrs. Muir's home.
According to Madam Henri
Laviolette, widow of the murdered
man, Mrs. Muir called on her at
Valleyfield to plead for her interven-
ton. Madame Laviolette was away
H. uk thn ftV1rn
Muir, according to Madame Laviol-
cite. then visited the homo of the
latter's relatives and sought their
aid. This they refused.
Montreal. July 11.-Walter Muir,
of New York, was hanged at Valley
field, Quebec, early today for the
murder Of Henri Lavtolette last Sep
TENDER.
Muir shot Laviolette after a quar-
rel in the Valleyfield bar room.
Laviolette. according to court testi-
mony, had struck Muir's crpny, a
crippled man named Joseph Plant.
during an argument over the merits
of a hunting dog.
Not until the moose was slipped
was 1t certain that the sentence
would be placed into effect. so un-
RENTING and widespread had been
the efforts of the Countess of
Richelieu, Mrs. Walter Muir. the
boys mother. and others. to obtain
O new trial.
Muir, who was 81 years old. went
to his death without tears. He bore
himself stiffiy, an odd smile on his
face which twitched about unquiet
lips and eyes Redeemed from lack of
sleep. His head he carried high as
though to compensate for his be-
havior the day before when beholding
the staring crowd on the railway
platform he dropped his head and
hurried to a waiting automobile. The
evening before he had been in the
arms Of his mother. a courageous
fame of a woman who had battled
uncea singly for her son. She had ar
rived in Valleyfield to bid her son the
last adieu. She stayed with him.
went with him, smiled with him. and
cheered him for the last tine. Then
she left for Huntington.
Muir claimed that when he drew
his pistol during the quarrel with
Iayfolette in the bar room he only
meant to- scare the man. He nred
two bullets into the floor. one OF
them glancing and striking Lavioi-
cite in the breast. ,, !,
A Jury fO0nQ Muir Buht3 "Hu
was sentenced to hang last April. A
repriye was granted to permit an
appeal. The appeal was dismissed
IL was then that Countess Richei-
leu. formerly Miss Elinor Douglas
Wise OF Baltimore. opened her long
unavailing struggle to free the
vonth. She cancelled all social en-.
rarements and enlisted In her hgnt
man and women of prominence IN
Canada, In New York a commit
tce under Miss Juliet Thompson mas
worked for Muir. .,
\ These efforts extended to WASH
.,nrton where through Howard c.
Dickinson, nephew of the secretary
~ state. the Department of state.
sent \ plea for executive ciemency
to fhe British embassy. The counsel
A. Ottawa was further requested TO
reinforce this plea by personal rep
reservations. ,. Aas
workers on behalf OF Muir oaseo
their appeal on his youth anu the
lack of criminal intent.
Muir was pronounced dead IA MN
ntes after the springing OF the trap.
After the inquest the body was
cia ined on behalf of relatives In New
York. where burial will take place.