New York's Adirondack Mountains have long been praised for their tranquility and restorative powers on the body and soul. But in 1906, a tragedy shattered this illusion and brought a girl’s heartbreak to the front page of newspapers across the country. 

Sources:

Brandon, Craig. Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited. (Utica: North Country Books, 2003).

Brownell, Joseph W. and Wawrzaszek, Patricia A.,  Adirondack Tragedy: The Gillette Murder Case of 1906. (Heart of the Lake Publishing, 1906).

The Daily Sentinel. “‘Poor Little Girl’ Said the World.” March 26, 1908.

Herman, Susan N., “People v. Gillette and Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy: Law v. Literature.” Judicial Notice. Issue 11. 2016.

The Post Standard. “Made No Effort to Save Drowning Girl, Gillette Confesses.” December 1, 1906.

“Chester E. Gillette Guilty of Murder in First Degree: Verdict Found in Five Hours.” December 5, 1906.

“Chester Gillette Dies To-Day in the Electric Chair.” March 30, 1908.

“First Shock Sends Slayer into Eternity.” March 31, 1908.

Schechter, Harold. Ripped from the Headlines!: The Shocking True Stories Behind the Movies’ Most Memorable Crimes. (New York: Little A, 2020).

The Syracuse Herald.“Girl Drowned; Escort Missing,” July 13, 1906

The Washington Times. “Gillette Pays Death Penalty for his Crime.” March 30, 1908.

The Westbury Evening Democrat. March 30, 1908.

Music: Dellasera by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com