The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-08-07
With . Sharp, Short Shock,
His SOULS Separated from
His Body.
The Current Thrown or Too. Quickly
and . Most Sickening Sight
Follows.
The Eletroeution Takes Place at an
Early Hour this Morning--Scenes
and Incidents.
Aunpns. n. Y. Aus. ..

With short. sharp shock, painless so
far as the world will ever know, the soul
of William Kemmlsr was separated from
his body al Gao this morning. The black
cap was adjusted to the bead Of the man
bound capsive In q strange looking chair,
the lever was quickly swung around tue
arc Of semi-cirols. quick conyulsion,
sudden revival of muscular action. another
turn of the lever. pause. room filed
with siokening fumes of burning fissh, and
twenty seven witnesses OF the first electro
eide in history, knew that the death Of
Tillie Zeigler had been avenged In Law, and
the crime OF William Kemmler expiated so
far az human hands could force iss expia-
tion. While Warden Durston could have
found hundred willing substitutes for
any one Of the twenty y-sevsn witnesses
which the Law had compelled him to call
in, it IL safe to say that no one OF the
twenty. seven found any pleasure In the
spectacle. The effort to surround the af-
fair with
A Halo Of Mystery.
such as the Law contemplated was mot suc-
eessful. The outer world did not know
the exact hour which had been fxed for the
event, bat il knew tbs time approximated
and little assemblage OF ioiterers at the
gate of the prison before dawn this morn
ing was good evidence that the interest In
the event was keen and general. Besides
these curiosity seekers an active corps OF
newspaper reporters gathered In the broad
road in front OF tho prison grounds and
: waited for the signal that would cell them
49, a n1n
this morning there was . rapping as the
room doors, aud . general awakening
throughout the hotels In Auburn. Warden
Dnrston had left quiet cali" for his wis-
nssses aud they we're ordered TO report at
the prison as 9 o'clock. By $40 all Sere
present and seated In little circle around
the execution chamber waiting Tor the ap-
pearanos OF the warden aud charge. Al
ESQ the door at the right of the execution
chair leading toward the execution room
opened aud Warden Dnrston appeared.
Behind him walked . spruce looking.
broad shouldessd little man, full bearded
aud dressed In suit of new clothing and
white shirt, whose polished front was ex.
posed directly below little bow of laun
This was william Kemmisr.
the man who was about 10 undergo the
sentence OF death. Behind him walked
DIR. Houghton and Chaplain Yates.
Kemmler vas by Far the coolest man In the
party. He did not look about the room
with any special degree OF interest. He
hesilated as the door was closed behind
him aud locked by the attendant on the
other side as though he did not know ex-
actly what TO do. The wooden chair was
placed In front and q little to the right Of
the execution chair, facing q little circle Of
men. Kemmler sat down composedly,
looking about him and then up and down
without any evidence Of fear or Of espe-
cial interest in the event. He looked, il
anything, rs though he was rather pleased
at being the center Of interest. After he
had beer seated the warden said: Now,
gentlemen, this IL William Kemmler.
have warned him that he has got 10 die,
and II he has anything To saE he wili say
IT," As tho warden finished, Kemmiel
locked up and said In q high keyed voice
without any hesitation and ss though hs
prepared Himself with . speech.
-well, wish every one good luck in thii
world, and think am going 10 q good
place. The papers have been saying lol
og stuff that isn't so. That's all have Il
say" With the conclusion OF the speech
he turned bis back TO the jury, took OF hi
coat and handed II 10 the warden. Thi
disclosed the fact that hole had been Gu
from the band Of his trousers down so a
TO expose the base Of the spine. kemmle
then sat down In the electric chair q
quietsy az though he was sitting down Il
dinner. The warden stood on his righ
and George yisrling. OF Albany, on his left
Tbev Immediately began TO adjust th
straps around Kemmler's body, tho con
dsmned man holding up his arms so as h
give them every assistance. When th
straps were adjusted about the body, hi
arma were fastened down and then Tia
warden leaned over and parted Ksmmler'
feet so AZ to bring his legs near the legs o
the chair. While the straps were bein
arranged, Kemmlcr said 90 the warden an
his assistant Take your time. Don't b
in a hurry.
Sc sars THAT Everything II an Right.
Two or three times he repeated thes
nhrases. Warden Durston reessured hin
that il would not hurt him and that
(Durs.on) would be with him all tho We
through. Bot IL Was not fear thl
Kammler felt. Il was rather cortai
urlde In the exactnsss Of the expsrimsn
He seemed 10 have a greater interest In I
success that those who bad made a
preparations for IL and who were wetchir
its progress TO It's FINAL conclusion. Wh'
the straps Ind been all adjusted 10 y
body the warden placed hia hand
Kemmlsr's head and adjusted the rubb
can wsth saturated sponge. The ward
then took In his hand the leather harne
TO adjust 30 the head OF the condsmns
ii was muxzle Of broad leather stra
which went across the forehead and ch
OF ths man in the chair. The :
4 strap pressed down against ths nose
Ksmm.lsr until IL was Hattensd DO
aliQhsly over hts face. Warden Dursf
turned 20 the assembled doctors VIXEN