Some First Thoughts on the Gillette Diary
By Craig Brandon
March 6, 2007
The re-emergence of Chester Gillette’s prison diary after 100 years in private hands is the most significant development in the history of the case in 20 years, but it doesn’t answer any of the enduring questions about what happened on Big Moose Lake in 1906. In the 60-some pages Chester never mentions the events of July 11 and only refers to Grace Brown once in passing. As before, he shows absolutely no remorse about her death and continues to maintain his innocence.
Perhaps the most startling thing about the diary is how mature Chester seems compared to the well-publicized tough-guy image he displayed in Herkimer. The diary, which begins nearly a year after the conclusion of the trial, shows an introspective young man who reads several books a week, is deeply connected and worried about his family and spends several hours a day with Henry MacIlravy, his spiritual advisor.
Along the way we learn how close his relationship was with the mysterious Bernice Ferrin, a woman he met in Zion City, Illinois who is allowed to visit him in his cell. The newspaper reporters gathered outside the prison every Wednesday, which was visiting day, harassed her mercilessly every week until her visiting permit was revoked by the prison. She told the reporters she was a “friend of the family” and that was all we knew about her until recently. In the diary they refer to each other as “brother” and “sister,” yet Chester tells her how beautiful she is and flirts with her endlessly. Yet he also knows she is in a relationship with someone names “Joe.”
Chester also writes that one of his great regrets was that he never fell in love with anyone, a direct contradiction to his testimony at the trial that he was in love with Grace Brown. One of his faults, he said, was confusing love with passion and he is concerned that his brother Paul will make the same mistake. He is deeply concerned about the fate of his brother, who will take over the role as the elder son of the family after Chester dies. He sets out a plan to keep Paul from falling victim to women or his own conceit. This plan evidently worked because Marlynn Murray, Chester’s grand niece, also produced documents showing that Paul graduated from Texas A&M to become a civil engineer, worked on the Panama Canal and served as a naval commander in World War II.
Besides his daily thoughts about his family and the state of his appeal, Chester also recorded quotes from his reading in the last pages of the journal. There are quotes from Aristotle, Plato, Victor Hugo and Robert Browning, among others. There are also two pages written into the diary after his death by someone else about John Alexander Dowie, the spiritual leader of the Zion City cult.
At the beginning of the journal he is so confident that he will be released that he plans a trip to Colorado to stay on a ranch with his father and brother. He also plans to visit Egypt and take a ride in a hot air balloon. Even in early 1908 when the court of appeals refused to overturn his conviction he remains optimistic as his family travels to Albany to meet with the governor to seek a new trial or a pardon. At one point Chester muses on how he would rather have a pardon than a new trail because it would mean he would get out of prison earlier. It’s only in the last week of his life that Chester begins to realize that his end is near. At that point his diary is full of resolve to die courageously and not break down in the final moments. He also mentions that he will soon be meeting “Lloyd,” which may have been another brother who died as an infant.
The last entry was written at 4 a.m. on March 30, 1908, the day he died in the electric chair. It is short, but moving: :
Monday Morning
Went to bed at 12:30 and was asleep in a few minutes. I slept soundly until called at 3:45. Feel refreshed and calm. I am surprised that I can look at this matter so calmly. Had communion for the first time. I feel that I am fully prepared to go and meet Jesus. I shall watch for the others. Was so glad when Mac told me that Paul had taken a stand for Christ. This makes me happier than anything else could have done. May the rest be comforted as I have been in these last moments. Had a very nice little breakfast and appreciate everyone’s kindness. They have all been so kind and courteous. I am very grateful to each one. Good morning All.
P.S. If it isn’t any extra expense and too much trouble please have “Taps” played at the last.
Gone to be with Jesus
Chester