Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-08-15
KEMNLER EXECUTED.

kEMILER EXECUTED.
THE WORK DONE in A MOST
EUNGLlNG MANNER.
Ihe Curent Thrown Off Too Quickly and
Most Sickening Sight Follows-A
Biunde. in Preparing the Death-Deal-
ing Aplaratus-Sccnes and Incidents.
With ashort, sharp shock, painless so
for Us thu world will ever know, the soul
OF William Kemmler was separated from
his bod, at GAO on the morning of
the 9Th. The black cap was adjusted
to the lead Of the man bound cap
tive in strange looking chair, the
lever WIS quickly swung around the
arc of emi-circle, quick CONFUSION, a
sudden r,vival of muscular action, another
turn OF te lever, pause, room filled
with slc;ening fumes of burning flesh, and
twenty even witnesses of the first electri-
eide In history, knew that the death of
lille Zagler had been avenged in law, and
the GRIM of William Kemmler expiated SO
Tar as human hands could force its expia-
ton. While Warden Durston could have
found ,undred willing substitutes for
any one of the twenty-seven witnesses
which tie law had compelled him to call
in, it is afe to say that no one of the
twenty even found any pleasure in the
| spectacle. The effort to surround the af-
A Halo of Mystory,
such asthe law contemplated was not sue
cessful. The outer world did not know
the exat hour which had been fixed for the
event, hut it knew the time Appropriated
and little assemblage of loiterers at the
gate oftte prison before dawn this morn
ing wasgood evidence that the interest in
tbs event was keen and general. Besides
these Curiosity seekers an active corps of
newspaper reporters gathered in the broad
road lntront of the prison grounds and
waitedfor the signal that would tell them
that tb execution was over. At O'Clock
this m'rnlng there was a rapping at the
room doors, and a general awakening
throughout the hotels in Auburn. Warden
Durst'n had left quiet call" for his wit.
nessesand they were ordered to report al
the PRISON at 6 o'clock. By $50 all were
present and seated in little circle AROUND
the execution chamber waiting for the ap
pearalce of the warden and charge. Al
$50 tie door at the right Of the execution
chair eadlng toward the execution room
opened and Warden Durston appeared
Behind him walked spruce looking
broad.shouldered little man, full bearded
and dressed in suit of new clothing an
white shirt, whose polished front was ex
posec directly below little bow of lawn
This Was William Kemmler,
the nan who was about to undergo tn
sentence of death. Behind him wake
DR.. Houghton and Chaplain Yates
Kemnler was by far the coolest man in th
party He did not look about the roo,
with my special degree of interest. H
hesitsted as the door was closed benin
him md locked by the attendant on til
Other side as though he did not know e,
actly what to do. The wooden chair We
placed in front and little to the right {
the execution chair, facing little circle
men. Kemmler sat down composed
looking about him and then up and dow
, without any evidence of fear or of esp
, cial interest in the event. He looked,
, anything, as though he was rather pleas
, at being the center Of interest. After
had Ieep seated the warden said mo
gentlemen, this is William Kemmler.
have%arned him that he has got to di
and be has anything to say he will ST
it," sAs the warden finished, Kemml
loolsd up and said in high KEYED voic
. without any hesitation and as though
had
Prepared Himself With Speech.
"Fell, I wish every one good luck in th
VOID, and I think am going to a GOO
plae. The papers have been saying !
:, of tuf that isn't so. That's all have
say" With the conclusion of the spee'
he:urned his back to the jury, took off b
Q cot and handed it to the warden. I'll
disclosed the fact that a hole had been C
frm the band of his trousers down SO
> to,xpose the base of the spine. Kemml
thin sat down in the electric chair
quietly as though he was sitting down
diner. The warden stood on his rig
All George Vierling, of Albany, on his lei
icy Immediately began to adjust Il
r straps around Reminders body, the Coz
dmned man holding up his arms SO as
: eve them every assistance. When Il
straps were adjusted about the body, b
;, ans were fastened down and then t
q wrden leaned over and parted Kemmlel
tct so as to bring his legs near the legs
: he chair. While the straps were beil
: arranged, Kemmler said to the warden al
: Ms assistant take your time. Don't
\ hurry.
Q 10 Sure That Everything Is All Righ,
y Two or three times he repeated the
y Shrases. Warden Durston treasured hi
!. hat it would not hurt him and that
it Durston) would be with him all the W
n through. But it was not fear tn
q Kemmler felt. 1t was rather certa
9 bride in the exactness of the experime1
r He seemed to have greater interest in
success that those who had made t
J. preparations for it and who were watchi
q Its progress to it's final conclusion. VIII
q the straps had been all adjusted to
o body the warden placed his hand
i {Kemmler's head and adjusted the rubt
Il