Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-01
DEATH IN ARM CHAIR.
Mr.. Sheridan's Device for tho Exocu.
tlon Of Criminals

Mr.. II. b. Sheridan, tho patcntcc of some
twenty electrical machines, and the electric
ian of the Sheridan Electric company, has
applied for patent for what he terms "an
improved device for executing criminals con-
demned to DEATH lie accompanied his ap-
plication by au assignment transferring to
the Government the right TO use his inven-
ton. lie also intends to give it to all fore.
ign governments that may desire ii. The
patent office returned the assignment to him,
saving it had no power to receive it, and tell
ing him 10 seek out the proper authority.
Mr.. Sheridan's device is method of caus-
| ing instantaneous death without pain to the
criminal and without distiguring his body
1t consists of an ordinary arm chair with
| legs containing some substance which
will insulate tho body of the chair from
the floor, The arms end in two brass knobs
on which the hands of the criminal will
rest The chair has foot rest on
which is fitted brass plate. The back Of
the chair is as high as mans shoulders. At
the TOP is a small knob, with hole for a
peg. The positive wire of dynamo-elccttic
machine runs up the back of the chair, and
ends in the knob. The negative wire runs to
resistance coil under the chair, aud thence
to the brass plate in the foot rest. Another
positive wire ruus to one of the brass knobs
on the arms of the chair, and second mega
tive wire to the other knob. The wires can
be connected with machine miles away by
conducting wires
The chair is in condition to be used in two
ways, as the two sets OF wires are not oper-
ated together. If the foot-rest wire is used,
some preparation is needed. A small siken
collar is fitted tightly on the neck OF the
criminal. 1t has on the inside AT the back a
small brass button, which fits closely against
the spinal process. 1t is connected with a
small silk cable, which hangs loosely and
ends in brass peg. This collar is put on the
criminal in his cell in the same manner as
the moose end used h hanginsa. He is then
brought out, with feet barred, and is seated
in the chair. Straps lasten his arms TO the
chair arms AID his legs 10 the chair legs.
The brass peg of the silk cable is in
serted in the hole in the brass
knob at the back Of the chair and is there
held by a screw. The bare feet of the Grim
inal rest on the brass plate of the foot-res,
The circuit would now be complete were 1t
moi that the positive wire is broken Al u short
distance from the chair Connection can
be established at once hy turning switch,
or by pressing button. The ful, charge of
electricity enters the or iinal's body at the
The r, sislancc coil, which it meets under the
chair aggravacs its force, and prevents ii
from injurin. the dynamo machine on its re-
turn. The criminal is killed instantaneous
ly and without pain, US the electricity acts
much more quickly than the nerves Of sem
sl,ion.
The second method of using the chair is to
discha &C the current into the palms OF the
hands through the large brass knobs. lu this
case no collar is needed, and the subject need
not be barefoot. In either case all the wires
and apparatus, exc pting the small collar,
would he cut of sight, and the criminal
would see nothing but an ordinary chair.
The sheriff could signal the exccutioner
to turn the switch, or he could press but.
ton in the floor, and in second all would be
over.
Mr. Sheridan says that lie invented this
machine in the interest of humanity, and
that he gives the invention 10 the Govern
mcnt, as he does not wish to make any mon
ey out of it, He says that there is no posi-
biity of its failing to do its work quickly
and well. Mr.. Sheridan says that he will
manufacture one of his arm chairs at once
and get it in full working order. lie intendl
10 have a bill introduced in the Legislature
next Fall authorizing its use.