The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-07

was carefully placed to avoid all possible
delay.
DEATHS SPRINKLER.
The electrode for the head hung in its
place like sprinkler disc for shower bath.
Chairs and benches stood about the room in
a Semicircle. In TIE uncertain light Of the
fateful room they formed horseshoe in
whose opening stood the heavy chair, with
its dangling straps aud buckles. Down over
one window toward the cast heavy shade
was drawn, while through tue bars IN the
other window the morning air came cool
and fresh through a Virginia creeper that
swept the iron with a soft, rustling sound.
RAY OF LIGHT.
Suddenly the room was lighted from
within. The warden hsd turned up the
low-burning flame at one of the blackened
gas burners on an ancient chandelier. In
his final arrangements the warden had
placed all the electrical apparatus in the
ante-room, the wires being run over the
easement to the death chamber. This ante
room the warden kept carefully shut, save
when he or some keeper passed hastily in
or out.
THE LIEUTENANTS OF DEATH.
In charge there were three men, whom
the warden refused TO name. The purpose
of the late change of the electrical volts,
meter and switches to another room be-
came apparent. Those who should see
Kemmler die were never to know who had
pushed the switch to send the death bolt to
Kemmieris vitals While the adjustments
were being made Drs. Shrady and Jenkens
entered, and the witnesses were all within
the room.
KEMMLER's FINAL PREPARATIONS.
Meantime kemmler in his cell, was being
prepared for ending his life. he had gone
peacefully to sleep early in the night, and
had slept soundly, and was snoring until D
O'Clock. when ne was awakened by one OF
the guards, Daniel McNaughtOn. Pastor
Houghton. who has attended Kemmler. and
Prison Chaplain Yates were with him.
They read to him from the Bible and
prayed with him.
FIXED HIMSELF UP VERY NEAT.
He dressed himself without aid in a suit
of gray mixed goods. About his neck he
buttoned rundown collar with a checked
tie of lawn stuff His hair he combed and
brushed with great care. His shoes were
well polished, and while he made himself
finally tidy the warden and a tall stranger
who is deputy sheriff in Buffalo entered.
The stranger held by his side par OF
clippers.
AN ANTE-MORTEM HAIR CUT.
The warden explained to Kemmler that
he must have the top of his head shaved.
The prisoner demurred. He had taken
as he explained to the warden, he didn't
want to be disfgured. He wanted people
to see and know that he was not man of
repulslve appearance, as has been stated.
Reminders hair was a dark brown and
wavy, with hyperion curl which fell on
his forehead. OF this he was proud
''vANITY, VANITY, ALL is VANITY"
In the shadow of death vanity asserted
itself His hair, however, was cut but the
curl was saved, and as the sequel proved
with no good result. The shaven spot was
2h by IA inches in size and was not
shaven, but cropped fairly close.
DEATHS CURRENT TURNED ON.
While this was proceeding the witnesses
examined the chair of death. The belt was
run upon a dynamo away in the south
wing of the prison and the incandescent
test lamps in the ante chamber glowed
family. The current was on. The strange
power was coursing the circuit. The
evidence was there; ''but how feeby
they burned" was the exclamation
of DR.. Macdonald, who was the only one
who got into the ante-room, and that while
ignorant of the warden's desire to keep its
secrets inviolate, and in response TO DIR.
MacDonald's comment, Electrician Davis
remarked that there was something wrong
about the machinery down there, referring
to the dynamo end of the circuit. This
well to remember, and was undoubtedly as
true few minutes later when the balt was
applied TO KemmIer.
READING OF THE DEATH WARRANT
The condemned man, after having his hair
cut on top of his head, liste ned to th Q read
ing of the death warrant by the warden.
None of the state witnesses were present,
but only the prisoner, preachers, and
warden, Kemmler was cool, unruffisd.
almost apathetic. The last named condition,
however, was discredited by the blanched
hue of his face
WALKING TO HIS DEATH.
Come Bill" commanded the warden
when all had been done in the cell, and
while the party of four-the warden, pris-
oner, and Clergymen-passed through the
ante-room past the electrical appliances
and the warden led the way finally into the
death chamber close behind him trod the
man he soon would kill. Kemmler's hands
swung at his side easily, save
when, as though in some embarrassment,
he sUroked his brown beard ana moustacne
of the twenty-five men, who. besides the
warden, should soon see him die.
NEARER AND NEARER.
Warden Durston placed a plain wooden
bottomed chair directly in front of the
other and different char and babe Kemm-
Ter sit upon it He obeyed readily. There
was no uueasiness about his movements,
and he seated himself leisurely. There was
no nervous tension apparent; indeed, not
nearly SO much as among the men about
him He was apparently the most calu
person In Tire room.
EEXlELER INTRODUCED.
The warden took his place besid,
KsoM.lsT after the latter had becom'
sea5s1 II TIE kitchen chair placed for him
ReS@lnz lis arm over the prisoners heaC
AID lis shoulder on the back Of the chat
and holding his hat IL his hand the wardel
presented the condemned man TO thos'
present The warden said Now, gentle
men, this is William Kemmler. | hav
Just read the death warrant to him anC
have told him be has got to die, and if b
has anything TO say he will say it"
FAREWELL SPEECH
There was surprise among those present
Kemmler, however, seemed gratified be
cause he had an opportunity to speak
With his feet wide apart upon the ston
floor, with hand on either knee, and hi
elbows akimbo. Kemmler said: well,
wish everybody good luck in the world ant
Pm going to "a good place, and the paper
has been saying lots of stuff about me tina
amt So"
FIXING hin IN THE CHAIR.
That was all. The prisoner glanced owe
Il -. Ir.a |. H.