The morning call., 1890-08-07
We live in a higher civilization from thi
A STARTLING SIGHT.

But even while he spoke quick, sharp
cry went up from those yet closely watch
ing about the silent figure in the chair.
There had been movement in the breast
of the man whom all believed had died
minute and AZ seconds before. Narrowing
scenes attending the second electrocutlOn
followed. The doctors in general declared
that the man from the very first contact
was beyond consciousness and some thought
that the action which startled ALL and sent
the Warden away with q white face to or
der the current renewed, was only reflex
muscular action.
Not so with one physician, who declared
that he would stake his name that he would
bring Kemmler back TO conscious life with
brandy hyperdermics. Meantime one OF the
witnesses, q. G. Balm Of Washington, had
tainted aud lay upon bench, where he
was being famed.
APPEARANCE OF THE FACE.
When finally the electric mask was re-
moved, Kemmler's eyes were found to be
half-closed and without that CLASSY stare
lifted and tests of the pupils with bright
light were made. There was no con-
traction OF the pupils. Where the mask
had pressed the forehead there was lvid
mark-the mark of the laws righteous des-
ecration.
The nose and the region of its base was
of deeply livid hue. Purple spots soon
began mottling the hands, arms and neck,
and the doctors said he was surely dead.
One of the Buffalo doctors, seven
minutes after the straps were re-
moved. cut the skin at the, temple
mans blood. 1t was Immediately exam
ined, and found to be slightly eoagulated.
On the electrodes being Withdrawn from
contact with the body the hair adhered to
the rim of the upper disc. Doctors Me-
Donald and Shrady examined the head.
They found there was a deep circular i'm
print on the top of the head made by the
sharp pressure of the electrodes rim.
THE SCALP BURNED.
The spot where the tuft of hair had been
cut off just before death was found to con-
stitate not more than one-third of the area
examination disclosed thai the edge of
copper within the electrode had slightly
burned the scalp just where the
head had been cut. Had not Kemm-
ler's desire to avoid Disagreement
by the cutting of his hair prevailed, the
contact would have been more perfect and
the chances of instantaneous death been
greater. and possibly the Disagreement
which he dreaded would have been avoided.
AS TO the causes of the failure to kill
Kemmler instantly there is said by all the
physicians to be no doubt that conscious
ness was stricken instantly from his brain.
The fact that he was not instantly killed is
the result of improper contact or of an in
sufficient voltage or pressure.
IMPERFECT CONTACT.
The contact certainly was not perfect at
the head, for twO-thirds of the contact was
upon the mans thick, smoothly brushed
hair, the clipped spot being one-third the
size of the electrodes diameter
Warden Durston SAYS that 100 volts was
first applied to Kemmler. When Ques-
toned by an Associated Press correspond
ent if the twenty incanGescent lamps on
al -. 4, ,sal,
ence Of the current, were burning when the
bolt was discharged into the murderer
he stated that they were. They should not
have been a moment before switching the
current into Kemmler. The test lamps
should have been cut off. Each lamp con-
sumes 90 volts, hence about 1000 volts were
at once cut out of the current which was
sent to Kemmler. That left 7G0 to cause
death.
EXPERT OPINION.
The best authorities state that 10 per
cent OF current is stopped at points of
pended in the body. Eighty-five per cent
of the 700 volts not consumed to-day by the
test lamps is 595 volts of pressure This is
not enough to surely kill man instantly
with good contact, and that of to-day was
not perfect
ing all right this morning, though last
night at midnight his appliances were in
such order that he was not certain whether
the execution would take place to-day, even
though he had summoned his guests TO the
prison at an early hour this morning.
TERRIBLE ORDEAL.
Warden Durston has been through ter
rife ordeal, and the knavery of men has
been pressed upon him so much where least
expected that. as lie says, he scarcely knows
whether to trust himself. He said: 1--WE
will approach the electricizing of Fish, now
here, with more light"
The concensus of opinion among the wit
nesses here to-day is that not the slightest
doubt exists but that a human being may
be instantaneously killed by 1000 volts ap-
piled through perfect contact and continued
twenty seconds.
The body of Kemmler will be disposed of
tomorrow in the prison burying ground
with quieklime 20 hasten dissolution.