davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-05-17

will pay highest cash price for old
rags, wrought & cast iron. brass, lead,
copper and metals Of all kinds.
l also solicit shipments of the articles
above mentioned from my many coun
try friends. Special attention paid to
green and dry COW hides and sumac-
romo t returns will be made of all
Shipments cons igned to me.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1890-05-17

Success Ia business. Its conditions choice occupation
successfully mems minds and actions.
Qualifications for money making
SIGNS Of honesty and dishonesty In the human cou
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

Warden Durston will swing around the
fatal lever.
And then, what?
The answer to that question is something
the scientific world is just now awaiting
with lively interest On it hangs, in all
probability, the issue of legal execution by
electricity. Notwithstanding all the fatal
accidents, notwithstanding the successful
experiments on horses, cattle and dogs, the
fact remains that the execution of Kemmler
is to material extent an experiment. 1t is
not beyond the possibilities that when War
den Durston lets loose his lightning on that
condemned wretch there may be a scene of
horror down there in the gloomy basement
room such as will rival or transcend the
most CHASTITY deeds ever done in the name Of
the law upon the scaffold. What absolutely
positive assurance is there that the chair
and sponge continuance will kill instantly?
1t has never been tried. How is it certain
that the current applied may not merely
cause Kemmler to writhe and shrek in Just
such agony as numbers of men and beasts
have undergone when accidentally bit by
powerful electric current? If the expert
ments said to have been made are to be re-
lied upon, the difference in the amount OF
electric resistance differs in different people,
and contrivances for measuring that resist
ance are far from faultlessly accurate.
ALI this injects an element of uncertainty
into the tragedy to be enacted next week
which gives it supreme interest. The
strong probability is that none of the mis-
haps indicated will occur, and that the ex-
ecution will be all that the trainers of the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
OUT In WILLIAMSBURG.

Preparations for Notable Evenf-Father
Landings Efforts 10 Secure Good Music.
Meeting of Councils Last Evening Other
News from the Borough.
Preparations are already being made for
the entertainment of the Williamsburg Mas
ter Masons' Association, Friday, May 2.
The members of the society and their lady
friends are determined to make 1t notable
event, and the arrangements are on liberal
scale. There will be a good musical pro-
gramme, many of the prominent singers of
Pittsburg having agreed to take part.
Erasmus Wilson is to deliver an address,
The Master Masons' annual entertainment
is always looked forward to with strong in
terest in Williamsburg.
Father A. A. Lambing. pastor of st.
James r. G. Church, believes that good
music is an essential part Of religion. He
has therefore paid particular attention to
his choir. He has plenty of sopranos and
altos, and now is trying to induce the young
men of his congregation to come forward and
supply him with bassos and tenors.
South street is not thoroughly graded
vet, but the tremendous hollow over the
run is partly filled in, and wagons can
traverse the whole length of the thorough
fare, for the first time in its history. II
Franklin street were made passable, resi-
dents Of Eastern Williamsburg would beable
to get to and from the railroad station easier
than at present
Borough Councils held special meeting
last night. Borough affairs were discussed
at length, but nothing definite was done.
The principal matter talked about was the
Penn avenue paving ordinance.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

is something Of ascoffer in religious matters.
In fact at one time poor Kemmler was tossed
about by sad doubts. The good seed which
the good Daniel sowed in his watch, the bad
Bill uprooted when it came his turn, and
Kemmler (this was some months ago) flue-
tuated alternately between rank skepticism,
as represented by Bill, and the rigid Scotch
Presbyterianism inculcated by Daniel. 1t
was Mrs. Durston's influence that Gained
his mind and changed his doubts into a
strong faith.
The task which the poor woman had at
the outset was an arduous one, indeed. The
had never even heard of the story of the
Savior, and when Mrs. Durston read it to
him for the first time 1t reached him as a
fresh and interesting piece of news.
''If had known about that Savior story, ="
he said, 81 never would have killed her. I
would have gone away from her"
This was the first time he ever expressed
regret for his crime or admitted that he
would do otherwise under the same circum-
stances.
81 should have killed her anyway" he
had always said. "It had to come some
time, and it might as we'll have come then
as later"
A noteworthy streak in a man of such q
nature as his is a fondness for flowers.
Mrs. Durston gave him some pansies one
day this week, and he was greatly de-
lighted.
T'They are just like little faces looking at
you," he said.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

ordinary handle is not wholly free from dan
ger, and Mr.. Durston has had one construct
ed especially for the purpose. 1t is of rub.
Der, and he may possibly take the additional
precaution of wearing rubber glove.
Another nice thing to determine will be
the length of time the current should re-
main on. 1t will hardly be possible for doc
tors to feel for a mans pulse or heart beat
while he is part of chain of lightning, and
it will be necessary to know that death has
actually occurred before the current is shut
off Yet, if the current remains on, there
may be the horrible features Of roasting and
burning which have been incidental to so
many of the deaths by electricity. This
will be question for the experts to deter
mine. Warden Durston, however, does not
look for any difficulty on that point. Ever
since he saw the horses and other animals
killed in the prison by the same dynamo he
has had unbounded confidence in its death
dealing powers. 1t is his opinion that death
will occur with the quickness of flash OF
light. The whole transaction, according to
his calculations, will be done and over in
less time than it takes to tell it. 1t is, on
the whole, we'll for the success Of the event
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

made. The chair itself has not been placed
in position, and will not be uutil a very
short time before it will be needed. All the
wires are up, however, and the connections
made. The dynamo is in the hollow ware
room in the west extension of the prison
shops. 1t is Westinghouse dynamo, and
can be run up to 1000 and more volts of an
alternating current. 1t differs in no respect
from any other dynamo of the Westing-
house pattern. 1t will be set in motion bv
belt from a shaft which propels machinery
in the shops OF the same building. The
wires pass from the dynamo room to the
roof, and so over to the front of the prison.
There they pass down the outside Of the
prison walls and enter the window of the
room next to the execution room. They pass
down the walls of the execution room a
sufficient distance to be easily connected
with the chair.
The execution room is about 1Sx25 feet in
size. 1t was formerly used as the reception
room for prisoners-that is to say, the room
where they were shaved, bathed and clad in
the prison garb. There is stationary bath
tub to the right of the door as you enter, and
the barber chair formerly stood next to it.
The shaving, bathing and hair cutting
ceremonies are now performed in another
part OF the prison.
The electric chair will stand near the
outer or front wall of the room, and will be
less than 100 feet from the passers-by in the
street. Even should the victim utter
shrek after shrek the thick, stone walls
would stihe them SO they would not be
heard outside. OF this, however, no fear is
felt. Warden Durston is confident from his
observation on the experiments made on
horses and cattle that death will be as from
thunderbolt, and that scarce muscle will
twitch.
The question of the switch lever by which
the current is to be turned on to the wires
connected with the chair is something which
has greatly interested the Warden. and not
unnaturally. When one is toying with an
alternating current of electricity something
like 1000 volts strong, he is very close to a
streak OF lightning. 1t is only reasonable
that he should want to make sure that the
machinery by which be is to guide this sure
death from one small wire to another is of
such nature that the operator himself is
secure from danger. In other words. the
handle must be perfectly insulated. The
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

execution room opens into the close quarters
set apart for men condemned to die.
They are very simple, these apartments.
The door from the execution room opens into
narrow little hall or passage. This hall is
lighted by heavily barred window high up
in the wall. On the outside this window is
on level with the beautiful green lawn of
the front prison yard with its gay flower
beds and shrubberv. Creeping vines cluster
about the window on the gray prison walls,
and the constant twitter of birds can be
heard even within the condemned man S
cell.
The two keepers, William Wemple and
Daniel MacNaughton, who act as Kemmler's
death watch, sit in the narrow passage to
which this window gives light. As you
enter it from the execution room there Is a
door of massive iron grating on your right.
This door opens into still narrower pas
sage. 1t is not over IL feet long, and Just
wide enough for a man to turn in. This is
the little lobby of the two cells which have
been specially built Tor condemned murder
ers. They are side by side, these two cells,
and their walls are of solid steel. The
doors are of heavy steel latticed bars. Ali
the daylight which gets into them is re-
hected from the opposite dead wall, and
even when the door into the keepers room
is flung wide open and the day without is
of the brightest, this light is dim and slckly.
There are gas burners IN the lobby in front
OF the cells, however, and these can be
lighted when needed.
Kemmler occupies the cell nearest the
door into the keepers loom. There is an
iron bed III it, fastened firmly to the iron
floor. There is a chair also and a little
stand. Upon the wall in a corner is box
wherein Kemmler keeps his Bible, the let
ters that are sent by pious people to Mrs.
Durston to be read to him, and few little
trinkets. Next to this box. with pencil
attached to it, hangs slate. On this slate
which Mrs. Durston gave to him, and Of
which he is very proud, he learned to write.
Last New Years day Mrs. Durston gave
him a calendar, and this hangs on the wall
next to his slate. A big theatrical poster
adorns the wall next to the calendar. The
picture that is given with this letter was
taken by Mrs. Durston herself. OF course
no photographer could be admitted.
The last week of Kemmler's life has been
passed very much as the last month has
been. He has at no time shown much nery-
business, and never less than now. He has
no horror of the electric method of execu-
tion. He has repeatedly said he preferred
it to hanging. He is too ignorant to know
anything about its nature. He has been
told that he will be placed in a chair. and
that something will instantly and without
pain Kill him. This he implicitly believes.
All the discussions and theories as to ter
rible torture, the accounts of the fearful
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
LACK OF HARMONY
Very Evident Among the eTheosophists-The
Convention Decides to Retain Its
Grips and Passwords-Nexr

Convention Decides to Retain Its
Grips and sswords-Next
Meeting ut Chicago.
the American Theosophists was held this
morning. The only paper presented was
upon ''The Desire for Pleasure, the Pursuit
of Happiness, and the Love of Truth" read
by the Chairman, DR.. Buck, of Cincinnati.
The numerous resolutions reported on
Sunday by the General Secretary. William
@. Judge, of New York, were adopted, with
tion grips and passwords, which was laid on
the table.
The lack of constitutional organization in
the Governing Council and convention was
discussed at length, Arthur B. Griggs, of
Boston, precipitating little bitter contro-
versy by opposing the vote now allowed
delegates at large not representing any Or
ganized branch.
The matter was finally referred to a COM
mittee, which will report at the next con-
vention. 1t was decided that no one but
the Presidents of the branches and duly
admit members at large. and the latter only
when the former was inconvenient.
Chicago was chosen as the place for hold
ing the next convention, to meet on the
fourth Sunday in April, 1891. VIM. @.
Judge, of New York, was chosen as Secre-
tary and Treasurer. The following were
chosen as members of the council for the
ensuing year: Abner Doubleday, Elliot B.
Page, Allan Grifiths. R. A. Parker, Mrs.
N. NJ. Phelan, Mrs. S. A. Harris, W. S.
Wing, Donald Nicholson, Lille A. Long,
Alex. Fullerton, John M. Wheeler, R. J.
Mum, Geo. D. Buck, John H. Scotford,
DR.. Ammi Brown, VIM. Throckmerston,
DR.. L. j. Winsor, Louise A. Of, Mrs.
Brainard, Miss A. NJ. Wymap and Mrs.
Gertsfeldt.
Messrs. Doubleday, Neresheimer, Buck,
Griggs, Lapierre, and Merum will act as
the Executive Committee. Mr. Thomas, of
San Diego, CAL, was chosen as the delegate
to the December convention at Adyar,
India.
Secretary Judge gave notice that at the
next convention he would offer an amend
ment to the constitution by which only
presidents and delegates from branches to-
gether with a fixed number of delegates at
large chosen from those present should be
allowed to vote.
Adjourned sine die
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
THE ELECTROCUT|ON
Everything Ready for the Judi
ciaI ThunderboIt at
Auburn.
KEMMLER WAITS A SPARK
That Will Mark a New Era in Legal
Punishment.
THENEw DEATH-DEALING DYNAMO
And the Awful Chair That Play a Part in
the Tragedy.
SOME NICE POINTS TO BE DECIDED
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH. !

AUBURN, n. Y, April 27.-Kemmler,
who will have the distinction OF being
the first man killed by a judicial thunder
bolt, has now closed the last week of his
life. Within "a hours in all probability
his body, after being struck by lightning
and carved by doctors knives, will be
moldering under a mass of quick lime
somewhere within the prison yard.
The day and the hour of the execution
are kept profound secret. Warden Ours
toms pride is involved. Hesaid again and
again that when Kemmler Gies no one ex-
cept those authorized shall know it. He
may do the deed if he likes in the dead of
night, by electric light or under iarlng
gas burners. TWenty-seven men in all must
be witnesses. These men the Warden pro-
poses to have on hand in ample time before
the fatal hour. They will be cautiously
gathered within the prison walls.
When the moment arrives they will be
marched down into the gloomy corridor in
the basement of the prison. From there
they pass through an ante-room into the
execution room itself. A door from the
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

arms and two burners. The two iron barred
windows are high up in the front prison
wall above tine head of a man Of ordinary
size. Between is built a board framework
about six feet wide and five feet high. The
boards are Joined together like the boards Of
an ordinary floor. On them is fastened the
electrical apparatus. There is the common
electrical bell button. This signals to the
dynamo room to stop or 60 ahead. Next to
it is the voltage meter, a tube of brass about
two feet long, surmounted with glass COW
cred dial face, with delicate steel pointer
travelling around its face like the single
hand of steam gauge. Wires connect
this with a box about three feet
high, six inches wide and as
many deep, which is fastened to
the wall next the voltage meter,
and is in fact a part OF its mechanism.
Next to this is nailed board bearing
double row of ordinary electric light burn
ers There are IL lights to each row
"a in aIl-and they are as close to-
gether as they can conveniently be put.
They. too, are to indicate the intensity of
lhe electric current. When turned on they
fill the room with a binding blaze of light.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

to each arm of the chair. to the two uprights
at the back, and to the back itself, are stout
leather straps with large buckles. The one
at the back of the chair passes around the
chest and holds him firmly in an upright
position; those on the two uprights pass
around his arms above The elbow, and hold
them fast to the back those on
the chair arms hold his wrists
strapped down. Still another set of
straps pass over his legs above the
knees and hold them down to the chair seat.
The feet, the fingers, and the legs below the
knees will be free. The feet rest upon a
short support. which extends from the front
rung of the chair. The face will be uncov-
cred. Adjusting the straps will probably be
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
THEY CANNOT SELL.
Judge Acheson Ends the Agony In the VAL
ley Railroad Cnse.

Judge Acheson Ends the Agony In the VAL
ley Railroad Cnse.
The case OF the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company against the Allegheny Valley
Railroad was concluded in the United States
Circuit Court yesterday. Judge Acheson
handed down an opinion in the case deny
ing the motion for an order of an inter-
Iocutory sale and dismissing the petition.
In his opinion, Judge Acheson said:
"Taking into consideration the nature Of
the controversy and the uncertainty as to
the final issue of the litigation, it seems to
me very clear that the court would not be
justified at this stage of the case by an
interlocutory order to impose upon the hold
ers of the bonds OF 1869 the proposed terms
of sale. And this view being decisive it is
not necessary to discuss or pass upon the
other objections urged by the trustee of the
bondholders against the allowance of the
notion"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
ELEGANT SPRING GOODS.
True Economy Dictates That Buyers Go 90
Lynch's, 43S and 44O Market Street.

True Economy Dictates That Buyers Go %
Lynch's, 43S and 44O Market Street,
Spring has come and with it merchants
are getting in their spring and summer
lines Of goods, but it is safe to say that a
better assortment than that of h. j.
Lynch's, 438 and 440 Market street, cannot
be found. That this is recognized by buyers
is attested by the rapidly increasing patron
age of the establishment. The stock COM
prises all the fashionable and leading novel.
ties in French and American dress goods.
plaids, combination suiting, serges, cash.
meres and henriettas in all the newest
shades, such as prune, dahlia, heliotrope.
grey, old rose, etc. The underwear depart
ment is full and complete, comprising bal
briggan, merino, gauze and Swiss ribbed for
ladies, gents and children. Great bargains
can be had in embroideries, handkerchiefs.
collars, gloves. corsets, laces, braIds, but
tons and infants white dresses. Black.
all-wool cashmeres OF extra quality. range
from 45c, 50c, 60c, 75c to 81 per yard; sheet
ing, towels, napkins, damasks, spreads, lace
curtains and housefurnishing goods At bot
tom prices. In fact, all the lines of goods
at Lynch's store are of the best quality and
at the lowest prices. ruF
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

to the Committee on Corporations. Mr..
Ferguson objected. The resolution had
been before one committee and it only called
for the enforcement OF a city law. There
was no necessity to send it to another COM
mittee.
Council thought different and sent the
resolution to the Committee on Corpora
tons.
The Chair read the Select Council resolu-
ton to cover the increase in the price Of the
Webb property as fixed by court; passed.
The lease OF the Booth & Finn property in
the Thirteenth ward for the Department Of
Public Safety was read. Mr.. Wright moved
to refer to the Committee on Public Works;
he thought the lease too loose. The motion
prevailed.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

the dumb animals which have been expert
mented on in the cause OF science.
Mrs. Durston has repeatedly impressed
upon his mind that he is not to suffer pain.
THE worst for you, William" she said to
HIM, will be when they come to put you in
the chair. 1t I were strong enough, and
were to tell you that was going to throw
you into that chair and instantly kill you,
it would not be in the killing that you would
suffer, but in the struggle to put you in the
chair. You must nerve yourself for that,
and then the rest will be nothing. You will
know nothing OF it."
eyes. ma'am," he replied in the simple
docile way he always speaks to Mrs. Durs-
ton. 81 know that shall not be afraid to
go into the chair. will do all can to help
you all in it and make it as little trouble to
you as possible. You have all been very
kind to me-you and DR.. Durston and
Daniel, and L will do just the way you
want me to-"
Daniel is Mr.. McNaughton, one of his
death watch. He has always liked Daniel,
because he has told him that the stories in
the Bible were true, whereas Wemple. the
other watchman, whom he always calls Bill,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29

that the Warden has this full confidence.
He is placed in position that needs and
VIII test frm hand and steady nerve.
a long time ago it was decided not to use
the reclining chair which Brown devised
| ana mad paraded in pictures about the conn
try. 1t was found to be cumbersome, and
defective In many particulars. Further
| more, 1t was regarded as calculated to bring
out whatever there might be of torture in
| electrical executions.
ihe chair which has been adopted is
chle1y Warden Durston's own device. 1t
Is plain, upright arm chair, with a high
pack ana WIDE seat. 1t Is made of heavy
WOOD, and the back is SO contrived that the
occupant viii SIT In an easy, natural posi-
ton. Fastened to the back and so adjusted
that 1t can be raised or lowered to anv re-
CURED height in a triangular or figure q
SNAPPED contrlvance which extends over the
neao OF the occupant of the chair. Through
mole In this the vital wire descends to a
cup which hts upon the victims head, This
cup contains wet sponge, and the electric
wire passes through the cup and into the
sponge. Connected with the back of the
chair, and at point opposite the base of the
victlm's spine, is another cup and sponge
contrlyance similar to the one connected
with the head. The electric wire is also
connected with this, thus making the mans
spinal column link in the circuit through
which the terrific electric bolt is to fly.
Surely, If ever electricity killed. and
killed instantly, it ought to kill man
seated in that chair and with those an
pliances upon him. Warden Durston has
made three of these chairs, one Tor each of
the prisons, Auburn, Sing Sing and Dame
mora. All three are now in the prison here
The next one to be used will be the one
made for Sing Sing.
When the chair has been put in place
and the wires connected, and the q com,
mitteemen, doctors and assistants are assem-
bied In the room, all that will remain to he
done will be to brin.; Kemmler in from the
adjoining room and strap him into the seat
This last is very simple process. Attached