Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-07
FAsTENEp IN NE cHAIR

When his tic wss arranged he sat down in
the electric chair as quietly as though he was
on his right aud George Nieling, of Albany,
on his left. They began Immediately to adjust
the straps. the condemned man holding up
his arms SOFAS to give them every assistance
When the straps had been adjusted about the
body the arms were fastened down, and then
the Warden leaned over aud parted kemmler's S
feet so Us to bring the legs near the legs of the
Chair.
While the strapswere being arranged, Kemm-
ler said, Take your time; don't be IL a hurry;
be sure everything is all right" Two or three
ston reassured him with the remark that it
would not hurt him and that he (Durston)
would be with him all through
When the strap had been adjusted the War
den placed his hand on Kemmlers head and
held it against the rubber cushion which ran
down the back of the chair. Kemmler's eyes
were turned toward the opposite side OF toe
room. Before. they had followed the Warden
in his movements Then the doomed man
made few remarks in perfectly clear, CON-
posed tone of voice. We'll wi h everybody
good luck" was one ef them, and "Durston, see
that things are all right" was another. Deputy
Vieling unfastened the thumb screws which
held the back of the chair in place and began
TO lower it, so that the rubber cap, which had
saturated sponge, pressed against the top OF
Kemmlers head. The Warden assisted in hold
ing Kemmlers head. Kemmler said: '.Oh,
you'd better press that down farther, l guess;
press that down." SO the hesd-piece was un-
clamped and pressed farther down. While it
was being done. Kemmler said: We'll, | want
TO do the pest can. i cant do any better than
that"
Warden Durston took in his hand the leather
harness which was 10 be adjusted to Kemmers S
head. IL was the muZzle of a broad leather
strap which went scross the forehead and chin
The top of the strap was pressed down against
the nose of Kemmier until 1t tiattened il down
over his face. The harness was tut ii place
and DR.. Spitzka. who was standing near the
ch sir. saiu. God bless you, kemmler, and the
condemned man answered, Thank you,
softly.
THE FIRST SHOCK.
The dynamo in the machine shop was run
ming at good speed and the volt-meter on the
wall showed little more than 600 volts The
Warden turned to the assembled doctors and
those Immediately around the execution chair
and said: "Do the doctors say it is all night"
Hardly minute had elapsed since the adjust
ment OF the strap.
At the warden's question DR.. Fall stepp'd d
forward with long syringe in his hand and
deity wetted the Two sponges which were at
the electrodes one on the top of the head and
the other at the base of the spine. The water
which he put on them was impregnated with
salt
Dr. spitzka answered the Warden's question
with the shout "sll rightr' which was echoed
by the others about him. eady. said Dur
sfon sgain, and then Good bye" He stepped
10 the door and through the opening said TO
some one in the next room but 10 whom II Will
probabynever be konwn with certainty. Every
thing is readyr' There was an almost immedi-
ate response and at 6:4Sla the eies trio current
was turned on. There was a sudden convul-
sion Of the frame in the chair spasm went
stfaps and springs that held him firmly. so that
no limb or o,her uSrt OF the body 5 irred mvre
tbar A small traction of an inch from its resting
plsce The twi.ching that The muscles of the