The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-08-15
KEMMLER'S DEATH.
HORRIBLE SCENE IN THE
PRISON AT AUBURN.
THREE SHOCKS NEEDED.

Within 4 few minutes of Z O'Clock
last "Wednesday morning, in the base
meut of the State Prison at Auburn,
William K1nm'er was put to death
under the law by the use of electricity.
| HIS death was the repsralion for the
murder on March 20, 1889, of his mis-.
tress, Tillie Ziegler. The execution
was witnessed by some of the most
| prominent medical men in the United
States, together with a few laymen
who hal ,.b,en selected byl".Warden
Durston in compliance with the law OF
the State of New York.
THE CHAIR OF DEATH.
In the semi-gloom the massive chair
of death SCENE I'D TO loom out of shad-
ows little distance from the entrance.
As each guest passed it he might have
noted that every strap aud every
buckle to bind the victim was careful
ly placed to avoid all possible delay.
The electrode for the head hung in its
place like the sprinkler disc in show
or bath. And such shower as this
mode of appliance should soon pour on
the vitals Of human being was sug.
gested msyhap to some as they enter
ed and sc AIMED the cumberous sham
bic of human death Chairs and
benches stood about the room In a
semi-circle. In the uncertain light OF
the room they formed horseshoe, in
whose opening stood the heavy chair
with its dangling straps and buckles
PREPARING FOR HIS EXECUTION.
Meantime KEN nler in his cell WAS
being prepared for the ending of his
life He had gone peacefully to sleep
early in the night, and had slep
souudly aud was snoring, until
o'clock, when he was awakened by ont
of his guards, Daniel McNaughton
Pastor Houghton, who has attended
Ksmmler, as also Prison Chaplain
Yates, was with him. They read tC
him from the Bible and he praye(
with them. He dressed himself with
out aid in suit of gcay-mixed goods
About his neck he buttoned turn
down collar, with checked Tie o
lawn stuff. His hair he combed an,
brushed with great care. His shoe
were we'll polished.
i The prisoner objected to having hi
head shaved. Hs said he did no
want to be disfgured, and in oompl
ance with his wishes the hair was onl
I, clipped short on top, while long Gu
y was allowed to remain ON his forehead
!, | Then the death warrant was read b
the warden. None Of the State wi
!. nesses were present-only the prlsont
the preachers and the warden. III
man was cool, unruhed, almost ap
e thetic. The last named condition, ho,
> ever, was discredited by the blanche
hue of his face.
KEMMLERs GREAT GOODNESS.
y Come, Bill commanded the war
y en-, when all had been done in the ce
and the little party of four-warde
y prisoner and clergymen pass
t. :, through the ante-room, passed t
- electrical appliances, and the ward
~ - led the way finally into the dea
- chamber. Close behind him trod t
Is !, man he soon would kill. His har
" swung at his side easily, save VIII,
as though in some embarrassment,
stroked his brown full beard and m
tache as he confronted the white,
pectant faces of the twenty-five II
ol who, besides the warden, would sc
,r- see hun die.
es Mr.. Durston placed plain wood
OF bottomed chair directly in trout of
ss other and different chair and b'
RI, Kemmler sit upon it. He obey
full readily. There was no uneasin
in- about his movements. He seated h
'as self leisurely. There was no nerv
ct. tension apparent; indeed, not nearly
IN much as the men about him. He
a apparently the most calm person
the room.
for The condemned man was introd
,er ed to the witnesses and given peri
zen sion to make a statement. With
feet composure and without ris
Ter from the chair Kemmler said: "W
TO | wish everybody good luck in
do world he said, in easy, steady to-
, | "and Pm going to good place,
ear the papers has been sayin' lots of {
about me that amt true
,cv PREPARING FOR THE SHOCK.
her Slowly the man was prepared
re. death, assisting in the details him
,ci- AT thirty, eight past 6 he seated
tier self calmly in the massive chair
ood with his elbows on the great a
she drew himself firmly back IN the
iqh SO that the electrode pressed him
at the base of the spine. He
,ate told to keep cool and a. the att
ters ants were fastening the straps
nervous haste he said: "Take
time" and held up his arms to n
the easy the binding of his chest. TIL
to sulated neck saddle was placed
Mr.. position, and as the dangling I