The Crime of Myron H.C. Grant (1879)

 The Work of Myron H.C. Grant

Oneonta Herald & Democrat, Oneonta, NY, January 3, 1879

The man whose remarkable name appears at the head of this article was named for ex-Governor Myron H. Clark.  The name itself never made him very great, but recent actions have given a public character to the man, quite as disgraceful as extended.  During the summer and winter of 1877, Myron H.C. Grant worked in this office, and again in the spring of 1878.  He came here a forlorn tramp.  Appearing to be a likely young fellow and knowing that he had previously occupied a very good situation, we gave him work.  He at once manifested much Christian fervor and commended himself to the public in more ways than one.   He went in society to some extent and was quite a favorite among a certain lot of young people.

But a change came.  Recently a young lady died in this village [Oneonta, Otsego Co. NY], a bright, active, intelligent girl, against whose purity of character not a thought had been entertained until within the past few months.  For twenty-four hours, from the first moment of her illness, she lay unconscious, with occasional convulsions, and then died.  Not a word was she able to utter.  Not a friend did she recognize.  Parents were unknown to her.  After death, a diary, letter and medicines indicated that the girl had, under advice furnished by Myron H.C. Grant, attempted to produce an abortion.  Two lives were hurled into eternity through the devilish work of this man.  Two murders he committed.  On the evening of the 21st of last month, he confessed to the family of the dead girl that he "committed a terrible sin and then asked God to pardon them."  Soon after, he commenced the treatment for abortion. This young girl, pledging Grant that the matter should remain a secret between them kept all from her mother (even to the moment when deception could be carried no further), remained loyal to her seducer and he, like the worst of villains, entirely abandoned her.  He supplied medicines and all that, for he could not do less and retain the girl's confidence.

M.H.C. Grant said on the 21st that he loved the girl, and intended to marry her after a time.  He talked of his love, hoped God would sustain him and the parents in their great grief, etc. etc.  That he lied is proven by the fact that he told responsible parties even while the young lady was pregnant, that he cared nothing for her, that they were not engaged and that he did not intend to marry her.  If the girl could have lived, successfully fighting poisons and witnessed the disregard of Grant, it probably would have been established that an awful pressure was brought to bear upon her, and that the solicitations of this villain were not acquiesced in willingly.  But to the gratification of Myron H.C. Grant, the girl is dead, her child is dead, and he, unfortunately for a decent community, is alive.  Twice he has been arrested and as many times, owing to defective warrants, has been discharged.  Justice Nelson, who is usually a very careful, safe and discreet officer, made out the third warrant, which would undoubtedly have held, and Sheriff Emmons telegraphed to Binghamton for Grant's arrest, but he had flown and, as we are assured, upon advice of his counsel.

Not in years has this community been so stirred up on account of social scandal and the murderer of two persons, though technical phraseology has been allowed to save his own life.  While there is no legal punishment adequate to the enormity of the crime, Myron H.C. Grant will suffer the remainder of his days in a degree that hanging or imprisonment could furnish no comparison.