The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-14
KILLED BY ELECTRICITY.
The Murderer Kemmler Expiated His Crime Last

| The Murderer Kemmler Expiated His Crime Last
Week.
William Kemmler, the murderer of his mis-
| tress, Tillie Xiegler, was tortured to death by
electricity at the penitentiary at Auburn, N.
Y, on Wednesday, Aug q. kemmler committed
an atrocious murder March 90, 1885, at Buffalo,
N. Y, and his was tho first case to come up
under the new law of New York State, by
which the electric fluid was used for condemned
men.
The law has nterposed several times in
Reminders behalf and the case was finally sent
to the United States Supreme Court; but the
sentence was confirmed by that august body,
and ordered duly executed.
There were u persons in the cell where the
execution took place, including the prisoner,
the Warden of the prison, spiritual advisers
aud witnesses, which the law provides for.
Most of these witnesses were members of the
medical profession.
The electrocution took place at GAO a. m,
and was according to the best testimony OBJ
tainabie, failure, although some Of the wit
nesses say that it was success in all partcu-
| lars.
The condemned was the coolest man in
| tho entire party, and very materially aided the
| agents of the law in adjusting the apparatus.
lie made few remarks to the crowd, saying:
We'll, gentlemen, | wish everyone good luck
| in this world, and think am going to q good
| ing n lot of stuff is that isn't SO. That's all
| have to say"
kemmler was strapped to a chair made for
| the purpose, and in tho adjustment of the
straps, he gave directions as to how they should
be fixed. He said to the Warden and his assist
ant, in calm voice, Don't hurry about this
| matter; be perfectly COOL" And he was the
coolest man in the room.
| When the cap which fits upon the head was
adjusted he remarked that it did not come
down far enough or fit tightly upon his head,
and asked that it DO read justed, "a he wanted
| the affair to be a success.
| When all was ready, one of the doctors said,
God bless you, Kemmlcrl" to which he said,
| "Thank you"
The Warden then bid him good by and gave
the order to turn on the current. This was
| done III an adjoining room, and the person who
| did 1T Is known only to the prison officials.
| At the word, Reminders body twitcbed con-
vulsively, aud became rigid. The seconds
licked oil, and one of the physicians, who was
holding stop watch. finally cried out, "Stopp'
| The electricity was Immediately turned off,
and the physicians began viewing the body,
| all saying he was dead
In short while it was found that the man
| was not dead, and signs of life appeared every
| where. His chest heaved saliva ran from his
| mouth, and every moment he looked as though
| he was returning to life. The Warden imme-
"'h'oiy o'ueiou tuc eieCtIIClty tuIheu on again,
| but there WAS little of the fluid left, as the
| engine which generated it had stopped. But
! this was soon romedied, and the second shock
| was administered, which lasted for consider
able time. The smell of burning flesh made
| some Of the witnesses sick.
At last the horrible operation was over, and
| kemmler was actually dead. His hair aud
skull were scorched. while his back was burnt
| like piece OF beef where the electrode touched
| 1t. 1t was truly a terrible sight
A good many of the physicians and the
| experts who were present say that Kemmler
was dead after the first shock but others
think differently. At any rate, il is possible
that the first elcctrocution will be the last one,
as most of those present think that the old
rope method is better than the new appliance
for killing people under tho law