The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-08
NOT AFRAID TO DIE.
Kemmler willing TO Try tho Battery
He Writes n Song.
~ H.. A..

From the Philadelphia Record.
The central figure among condemned
criminals is now William Kommler. the
Philadelphian, whose execution by cleo
tricity in New York State will mark the
beginning OF new era in capital punish
ment Prison authorities expect that this
execution will decide for the present either
the failure or success OF the lightning
stroke as a substitute for the time-honored
institution of hanging. 1t is not unlikely,
however, that the execution will be de-
layed beyond the week beginning June
"A, the time named in the death war
rant, as Reminders counsel is making Wig.
orous efforts to contest the sentence on the
ground that 1t Is cruel and unusual pun
ishment The condemned man himself,
however, does not share this gloomy view
OF the case. So much has been told him
about the novelty OF electric execution
that his curiosity has evidently been
aroused, and his demeanor is not unlike
that of person anxious TO try an expert
ment. When asked recently by an official
Of the Buffalo prison II he had prefer
ence rs 10 the manner OF his death Kemm-
Ter replied: Electricity is not such a
brutal death. ! am willing TO try tho bat
terry, for | am afraid the long drop will
tear my neck"
kemmlcr was an industrious young
man, who, with his brother, conducted a
prosperous huckstering business in this
| city few years ago. The brother mar
ried Miss Froebner and lives on Brown
street, above Eighth. Miss Froebner's
sister was the wife OF a man named Zieg-
Ter, and lived at Forty-iiith and Mount
! Vernon streets with their one child. Mrs.
Iiegler did not live happily with her hus-
| band, aud on a visit 10 her sister met the
latter's brother.in-law. They grew init.
mate, and one day simultaneously disap-
pearcd from this city and went TO Buffalo.
! Kemmler assuming the name Of Mott and
! following the huckstcring business. This
was two years ago. Their life was
stormy one, and one morning in a ft OF
rage he attacked the woman with a
hatchet and butchered her in a horrible
manner Her child, Matilda, carried the
nows 10 a neighbor, crying Papa cut
mamma with Ratchet and she Is dead.
1--WE could not get along together" was
the murderer's reply 20 questions calling
for an explanation, land one OF us had to
die" He spoke OF the woman lovingly.
and did not accuse her OF uniaithlulness,
which was at first accepted rs the motive
for the murder, and at the trial he offered
no excuse and was promptly convicted,
though his counsel made a defense OF alco-
holic insanity.
The prisoner enjoyed life in the Buffalo
jail before he was removed TO the Auburn
State Prison, the place set for the execu.
ton. lie talked and laughed freely,
played cards with his keepers. and spent
all OF one day composing a song, one verse
OF which runs "A follows
fused 10 live In buffalo.
The people knew me we'll,
used 20 10 Hpctldliug
A plenty did ell.
My old clothes wcrc ragged and torn
Ny shoes wouldn't cover my toes.
My old hat vent nippiiy Hap.
Like tchupper ~ my nose.
Ican't sing sing.
won'tsing ang.
III tell you the reason Why
cant sing. ling.
For my whistle u getting dry.
A peculiarly about the new rlethod OF
execution 10 that no definite time i fixed
for Il 10 occur In the case OF kemmer
Il must occur during the week beginning
June -, but upon a day selected by the
prison officials. The condemned man will
be informed Of the time selected ON the
fatal morning, and given ample opporlu.
nifty for religious consolation and farewell
words When all Is ready for the final
preparations tho prisoners shoes will be
removed and a pair resembling regular
army brogans will DO substituted. In the
sole OF these there will have been inserted
a metal plate covering tho whole sole aud
connecting with wires passing out through
the heels. While one officer II making
this change OF shoes another will faslen
the prisoners hands together In front, and
will place around his body, Just beneath
tho armpita, a stout leather strap. Upon
the back Of tho prisoners head there will
be placed peculiar closo-iitting cap, APP
parcntly Of black rubber, made around
small molal piece In the center.
Tho cap will ht over almost the
whole OF the head, from the base Of tho
brain 10 well toward the forehead Inside
OF IL. In the center about the metal piece,
will be n spiral arrangement OF copper
wire about five inches in diameter aud
made 10 III down over the part OF the head
that Il will cover. The wires, Just before
the cap Is placed on the prisoners head,
will be covered with sponge saturated with
salt water Tho prisoner will then be led
to the hall OF execution. and, seated In a
reclining chair, will be strapped In posi-
ton, his head aud feet secured TO metallic
rests. Tho wires will then be attached "a
the head and fcci, n black cap adjusted.
and Mt a given signal the cxeculioncr will
turn button and Instant and painless