The Meeker herald., 1890-08-09
TIL. Execution OF Ksn,n,,.r.

chair opened, and Warden Durs,an \
figure appeared in the door way, be-
hind him walked spruce looking,
broad shouldered little man, full
bearded, with carefully arranged hair
around his forehead. lie was dressed
in suit OF new clothing, sack coat and
vest OF a dark gray material, trousers
OF mixed yellow pattern, and white
shirt, whose front WAS exposed directly
below n little bow OF lawn Of black and
white check pattern. This was VIII
liam kemmler, the man about to under,
30 sentence OF death. Behind him
walked Dr. ". T.. ilousllton and Chap
lain Yates.
K.mmler WAS by far the coolies, man
in the party. lie did not look about
the room with any special degre. of
interest. lie hesitaled ~ the door WAS
closed behind him and carefully locked
by an attendant on the other side, as
to do.
"Give mo chair will you" said the
warden. Someone quickly handed him
II wosien chair which lie placed IN
front and little To the right of the
execution chair, facing the little circle
OF men. k.mnlcr 81, down composed
ly, looking about him, then up and
down without any evidence Of fear of
especial interest In the event. His fac.
was not stoiid. not indifferent. lie
locked, II ANYTHING, as though hc MA,
rather pleased al being the center VI
interest.
Warden Dursinn stood nj the long
chair with hi, hand on I'll. back Of IL.
and almost at tho moment krmnl-r
took his seat, lac began 10 speak IN
short. quick periods. Now gentle
men. inis is William Kcnmicr. have
warned him that lie has got 10 di. and
II lie has any thing 10 say lie will say
IT."
As tho warden finished. krmml-r
looked UP ami said In u hish'krN-d
voice wiihou, hesitation. and as though
hr had prepared himself with a speech
We'll. wish every one good luck In
this world and I think an going 10
the good place. ani tho papcr have
been saying lot Of stun ,ha, isn't true.
That's all I ha,. ,o say"
with tho conclusion of the speech h-
turned his back on the jury. ,oo. on his
Goa, and handed |, 10 the warden.
This disclosed IL. fact tia, hole had
been cut from the band oI the trousers
down 10 N 10 expose the base OF the
spine.
Depn,y Vrtling unfasirncd the
thumb screws which held back tie
chair, and began 10 lower II 50 that the
rnbbrr cup, which hai saturated
sponge. pressed a.ains, the top ot
k-tnniict's head. Tho warden assisted
~ the ptrpar ars,'.,s hv hniain. krmns.
let = head. krmmlrr said: "Oh. you'd
l'vtt.r prrss thn, down further. guess.
l'rcas tia, down" So tho head piece
was unchanged and pfesScd further
down. While II was being done.
k.mni.r said: "wciI. I want 10 do
the b.s; I can. can't ,lo any better
tlan that"
Warden Dufs,an took In his hand
the leather harness. which was Ia br
adjusted la kcmmlcf'n heal. 4, was n
OF broad laaihrT. u strap o; which went
across his forehead and chin. III. top
strap pressed down against the nose Of
kcmmlcr and ila'icnci 1t down slightly
over his face. The harness was put In
place.
Dr. sp!,sa who WAS standing near the
chair said. God blcS, you" kcmmlcTr
answered Thank YOU"
Dr. Fell stepped forward with long
syringe in his hand aud d.iily wet two
srongcs which were at tho electrodes.
one un top Of the head aud the other at
Mt the base Of III. spine. The water
lie put on them was imprcgnaicd with
salt.
DR.. Spitka answered the wardcn's
question with n short "all right" which
Ready ~ said Durstaa again. and
then "gooi bye"
He stepped to the door and through
the opening said to some one In the
next room, but TO whom will probably
never be known with certainty, Every
thing is ready" and a, G:i3i the electric
current was turned on.
There was a sudden convulsion OF
the frame In the chair. a spasm went
oyer kemmlcr from head 10 foot,
confined by straps and springs that held
him firmly, so tha, no limb or other
.