Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1890-08-07
ELECTRICITY KILLED HIM.
DETAILS OF THE FIRST ExECU-
TION By THAT METHOD.
DEATH WAS AP-
PARENTI.Y PAINFUL.
He IL Called Dead In Seventeen
Minutes, hut Respiration Began
Again, and the Flectricity Was
Once More Turned On.

Once More Turned On.
AUBURN, N. Y, August 7.-Between 6
and O'Clock yesterday morning, in the
basement of the State prison, in this city,
Vim. Kemmler was killed under the law
by the use of electricity. On March 20,
1889, he murdered his mistress, "Tillie"
Zeigler, and his death was rcparation for
his crime. He entered the death cham
Der about half past six and was assisted
in preparing himself for death. He was
placed in an ordinary chair by the ",
den, who introduced him to those pl",,-
cnt. He made a few brief farewell re-
marks; there were no prayers in the
death room and the man was evidently
devoid of nervous tension.
The stated hour had expired andit was
fifteen minutes before DIR. Spitzka ar
rived. Other doctors were delayed. The
agent and warden grew momentarily
more impatient. He would have the ex-
ecution all over, if possible, before the
men were astir in the prison shops.
Gentlemen, will not wait any longer
for those who are not here" he exclaimed
at length, after peering last time down
to the iron gate.
Silently those awaiting gathered about
the warden, who led the way to the rear
hall, where guard with great key
stood to open and close the door to the
basement region of the prison.
The huge iron bolted barrier swung
back, the warden led the way and the
silent party descended the iron stairway
to the stone tloored hall, where the fatal
apparatus and its first subject were
waiting.
In the semi-gloom of the basement the
massive chair OF death seemed to loom
out of the shadows little distance from
the entrance. As each guest passed it,
he might have noted that every strop
and every buckle to bind the victim was
carefully placed to avoid all possible dc.
lay. The electrode for the head hung in
its place like sprinkler disc tor shower
bath chairs and benches stood about
the room in n semi-circle In the unccr
tain light of the tateiul room they formed
a horse shoe, in whose opening stood
the heavy chair, with its dangling straps
and buckles.
Suddenly the room was lighted from
within. The warden had turned up the
ut f,tt ha
gas burners OF the ancient chandelier.
In his final arrangements the warden
had placed all electrical apparatus in an
ante-room. hcpurposc of he late change
of the electrical volt meter and switches
to another room became apparent. Those
who should see Kemmler die were never
to know who had pushed the switch to
send the death blow to kcmmlcr's vitals.
When the final moment came, and
kcminler was asked to take his seat III
the fatal chair, he was evidcntally the
coolest man present. He was unruillcd
and obcyed every word OF the warden
with willingness and care. He submitted
to the straps quietly, and directed the
adjustment of the electriode. He made
several suggestions to the warden, and
finally sat in the chair without trcmor
to await the stroke.
A convulsion marked the application
of electricity. He was said to bc dead in
seventeen seconds, and the current was
stopped. Later on respiration was re-
sumed and the current was again ap-
Piled and IN thirteen minutes from tn"
first stroke he was again declared dead.
The flesh of his back was burned, also
snot unon uDOn the ton of his head