09/03/2026
If you haven’t heard about the famous murder trial of Chester Gillette, accused of killing Grace Brown on Big Moose Lake in 1906, then you must come to hear Dennis McDermott’s talk.
Dennis McDermott grew up in Oneida and started coming to Inlet in 1951, when his parents rented one of the cottages at Arrowhead Park. It was at the Arrowhead Hotel that Chester Gillette was arrested for killing his fiancée. Certainly, Dennis heard about this when he stayed in the area. Dennis graduated with a degree in history from St. Bonaventure and received his law degree from Albany Law School. He retired after a long career, first in private practice and then with 18 years on the bench as a county court judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice.
He and his wife, Barbara, have owned a seasonal residence in Inlet since 2005, which they enjoy with their two children and four grandchildren.
Dennis’ talk will focus primarily on Chester Gillette’s three-week trial. Without any eyewitness or a confession, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to secure a conviction. Dennis will also explore the interesting aspects of the appeal that was heard in early 1908, which involved a rivalry between two clergymen. The real question: Did Chester ever actually confess to murdering Grace Brown?
Come enjoy the drama on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:30 to 7:30. The talk is free and open to the public. It will be at the Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services, 1 Limekiln Road, Inlet. This is the final program of IHS. This will also be available on FB Live (https://www.facebook.com/InletHistorical/live_videos) and a few days later on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/)
Stop in to the Inlet Historical Society’s museum at 149 Route 28 in Inlet, open on weekends from 11–3 after Labor Day. Buy raffle tickets for our two $250 prizes in honor of our country’s birthday, to be drawn October 10, and join or renew your membership.
