New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-08-13

past the electrical appliances, and the war
den led the way finally into the death
chamber. Close behind him trod the man
he soon would kill. His hands swung at
his side easily save when, as though in
some embarrassment, he stroked his brown
full beard and moustache as he confronted
the white, expectant faces of the twenty
five men who, besides the warden,
WOULD SOON SEE HIM DIE.
Mr.. Durston placed plain wooden-bot-
toned chair directly in front of the other
and different chair and babe Kelnmler sit
upon it. He obeyed readily. There was
no uneasiness about his movements. He
was apparently the most calm person in the
room.
The warden took place beside Kemmler,
and resting his arm over the prisoners
shoulder, on the chair back, the states Off
Ger presented the condemned man to those
present introduced him, indeed, and this
is what he said:
Now, gentlemen, this is William Kemmler.
have Just read the warrant to him, and have
told him he has got to die; and if has anything
to say he will say it.
With his feet wide apart upon the stone
floor, with a hand upon either knee, ell
bows akimbo, the simple fellow spoke:
"Wel, I wish everybody good luck in the
world" he said in easy, steady tones, 8" and I'll
go to good place; and the papers has been
saying lots OF stuff about me that amt So"
The prisoner glanced over his shoulder
as he ceased speaking, and Mr.. Durston
came to his side.
Take off your coat, Bill" said he.
There was no word, but with easy, steady
joints he pulled off one sleeve and then
swung off the garment to the chair from
which he had risen. The warden stood be-
hind him, drew forth the bottom of his
shirt and cut it off behind SO as
TO PERMIT EASY ADJUSTMENT
of one of the electrodes. Meanwhile
Kemmler readjusted his necktie which
was already neatly fixed in a bow-knot.
"Are your suspenders all right?n asked
the warden as he laid down the shears he d
used.
"Yes, all right" was the answer.
'Well, then, Bill. you'd best sit down
here" said the warden.
Take it cool, Bill, I'm going to
stay close beside you all the while till the
end, said the warden. Then he buckled a
strap at one shoulder.
Il will, I'll take it cool, returned Kemm-
Ter. And then with his elbows upon the
great arms of the chair he drew himself
firmly back on the seat SO that the electrode
pressed him hard at the base of the spine
Two Others were working at the straps,
first the arms, then the chest, waist, hips,
legs and lastly the leather mask. There
was some fumbling in nervous haste and
the doomed man observing 1t, spoke:
"Takeiyour time, he said, take your time -
and will he spoke he held high his arms
to make easy the binding of the chest.
Then, as the insulated neck saddle was be-
ing placed he suggested that if pressed for
ward as it was being adjusted it would be
more easy Tor him.
AL right, Bill, all right" returned the
warden and his voice was trif1e unsteady,
st won't hurt you, Bill, it won't hurt you
at all, he added.
Take your time, Mr.. Durston; don't be
in hurry, the prisoner said again in re
Spouse. And then he added, as the dang
ling mask was being shaped for adjustment:
well, I wish every body good luck"
THE MASK COVERED HIS EYES,
grasped his chin and firmly pressed his
said, and spoke to direct its proper adjust
ment.
Do everything right. Mr.. Durston,n said
he, 'and push that down more on top of
my head" He referred to the electrode
which was being fitted to the top of his
head It was done, seeming to push his
head down between the shoulders, while
the mask was buckled back so tightly that
the edge was buried in the skin of the nose
and forehead. Once more he spoke, and
they were his last words: We'll, want to
do the best can; can't do any better than
that, said he.
God bless you, Kemmler, you havedone
well, spoke DIR. Spitzka in his quick, nerv-
Gus way, and there were plying tears in
many eyes, and husky voices muttered.
You have, Kemmler, you have
Every strap had been frightened, each
electrode had been pressed to the seat of
life, the Warden's deputies stepped back,
there was hush. The warden INQUIRED Of
Doctors Macdonald and Spitxka how long
the current should be maintained IN
Kemmlers body, The first response was