The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-08
ELECTRICAL EXECUTIONS
THE FATHER OF THE SCHEME Is
SATISFIED.

Entirely Satisfactory if the Current
Had Not Been Turned Off Too Soon
The Corpse Still in the Prison-A
Coroner's Opinion.
AUBURN, n. Y, Aug. Warden
Durston stated this afternoon that the
remains of Kemmler still lie in the room in
the prison where the autopsy was held
yesterday. He has not decided where the
remains will be finally buried.
The subject which continues to excite
the greatest interest in connection with the
execution is the record of the voltage of
the shock which killed him. 1t has been
generally supposed that the first shock was
| 1900, and the second between l 500 and
| 1000 volts. Electrician Barnes, who was
in the dynamo room, said to one of the
physicians in attendance that at no time
was the voltage moro than 1,100, and that
it frequently fell to 800
THE SPINAL CORD REMOVED.
DIR. Daniels of Buffalo, who performed
| the delicate work of removing the brain
and spinal cord of Kemmler at the autopsy
has gone home. taking parts of the spinal
cord aud others for experiment.
1t Is learned to-day, for the first time,
that in the consultation Of the doctors Tues
day night Warden Durston made a propo-
| sition to hold the execution at . o'clock that
night, but it was determined by vote of
those present that it would be better to hold
it in the day time.
A CORONER PBEFERS 1T TO HANGING.
NEW oRK, Aug. deputy Coroner
W. L. jenkins returned to the city to-day
after having witnessed the Kemmler execu-
| ton. He said he believed that if the cur
| ah EaD n n r1fnnnglV X n
Ter would have died easily. He did Eot
know who it was that ordered the current
shut off after the first shock. when it was
thought that life was extinct. He thinks
killing is preferable by electricity than by
hanging, providing the current is continu-
GUS until life is extinct.
TURNING OFF THE CURRENT.
DR.. Spitzka, who was present at the exc
cution, makes the following statement:
1.-The assertion attributed to a physician
from Buffalo that I ordered the cur
rents stopped or in any way directed
the steps rendered necessary at the Kemm-
Ter execution is utterly unfounded. No one
in the execution chamber knew or could
know anything about the voltage, nor did
any one order the current turned off.
1t was turned off in accordance with a
previous understanding. DR.. Carlos Nc
Donold and myself, between whom and my
self complete harmony existed, on being
asked by the warden what time should be
be taken, agreed to fifteen seconds, and &C
tually seventeen were allowed to elapse.
When Kemmler's death appeared doubtful
! suggested in hurried way to the warden
to have it instantly turned on again, and il
was the warden who gave the order then
and there.
OBJECT OF THE DOCTORS TRIP.
81 went to Auburn solely to make ar
examination of the brain, and not as al
assistant executioner. The dynamo, as
Judged by the action of Kemmler's body
acted very irregularly. The source of this
it will be interesting to ascertain, as well as
the animus which prompted the gratuitous
and untrue statements of the person alluded
to if really made by him. AS an avowed
opponent, and as one known to be
such, of electrical methods | went tx
} Auburn. Under these circumstances it were
scarcely consistent for me to volunteer as 6
) performer of that method. Had either my
! associate, DIR. Carlos Mcdonald, or myself
been able to anticipate such a misstatement
being made we certainly should have de
| clined to act in the medical capacity which
we alone held. My sole suggestion concern
ing the turning on of the second current was
dictated by humanity, in view of doubts o.
the complete destruction of life."
DIR. soUTHwICK's STAND.
BUFFALO, Aug. 7.-Dr A. P. South
wick, father of the electrical execution law
said to-day in an interview: 81 feel just as
have always felt on the matter. There ii
nothing against the system, and the fact is
there has been great deal of senseless sen
. sational talk about the execution
! For instance, the big story il
T regard to the spectacle o
froth saliva coming from Kemmler's mouth
was ridiculous. 1t was perfectly natura
thing, and was caused by the muscular con
q 49, -No ,NNNh ~.
unusual at all. In fact, a party of ladies
could sit in room where an execution o.
this kind was going on and not see anything
repulsive whatever. If the mistake of
l ordering off the current SO quickly had no
4 | been made there would have been none o
= this talk.
: BURNING OF THE FLESH.
? 1.-THE burning of the flesh was also ex
| aggerated. That was caused simply by tn
- fact that the sponge under the electrodes
+ | was too small. A light current was passing
a through then, and the sponge having dried
out the electrodes just touched the skin
| think Kemmler's nerve affected thos
there about as much as anything. 1t lookei
to me, though, as an evidence of menta
# incapacity. He seemed to be without fea
and helped to adjust the straps. No, sir
. do not consider that this will be the las
execution by electricity. There will be lot
L of them. 1t has been proved that the ide
o is correct, and think the law is the bes
a one. The execution was a success. Kemm
!. Ter never knew what happened him, AM
= died absolutely without pain"
= DIR. DANIELS BELIvEs IN 1T.
a DR.. Daniels was seen by a reporter tc
day. He reiterated his statement that cleo
triclty, if properly conducted, is the quick
est and an absolutely painless death. q
don't wish to criticise," said he, "bu
8 believe that at the Kemm
Ter electric execution the wardel
O had very poor advices, both as to the con
struction and placing of the machinery an
y the time during which the current was ap
}, piled. 1t should have been kept on at leas
It ten seconds more, and, moreover, Oh
Is voltage was insufficient. 1t shouI
: have been greater. A $500 voltage ap
). piled one second would have been sufficient
Death would have been Instantaneous, an
there would have been no burning, whic
necessarily resulted from continued appli
Z cation of the current"