Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-07
death certificate. which was read and sign
ed by each witness of the execution.
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ed by each witness OF the execution.
THE pRxssuRE or IRE CURRENTS.
To injuries "a 10 tho pressure of the
current when first applied to Kemmler,
Warden Durston replied about 800 volts.
Az TO the pressure on the other applications
Mr.. Durston was not clear. But a man
who came into the room while these ques-
tions were being asked and Who is said TO
have been one OF the three men who work.
ed the electrical apparatus made a state.
ment that the volt met at the moment OF
the first application of the current 70
kemInler registered 1000 to 1900 volts,
while 800 10 1000 volts were registered ct
the second apyhication. Kemmler's body
was entirely unbound about 1880.
An autopsy was held about three hours
after death and was conducted by Drs.
George i. Shrsdy. Carlos /. Macdonald;
i. @. Spitzka. and William l. Jenkins, OF
New York city. and q. NJ. Daniels. oil
Buffalo.
RESULTS OF THE AUTOPSY.
The doctors prepared a. preliminary
statement on the results OF the autopsy
and will have prepared an official state,
ment giving the results IN detail. Ihey on
agree that inconsistencies was instantly
produced and death was apparently pain
less notwithstanding some slight defect IN
the electrical apparatus, which required
second contact of the current 70 insure
death. Extensive charring of the body at
the points of contact of the electrodes was
found, also minute hemorrhages IN the
Serious membranes and in the ventrlcles OF
the brain. The blood was fluid and dark.
in the longitudinal synus corresponding
with the region of contact the blood was
carboniZed There was decided change IN
the consistency and color of the BRAIN
corresponding with the point of contact.
Destructive changes of blood corpuscles
were noted
Examination of the electrodes on the
fatal chair disclose that the sponge IN the
one at the base of the spine was dried ana
scorched by the heat generated, owing 10
imperfect contact or 10 insufficient WEI
ting of the sponge during contact. Inc
result was n terrible burning of the back
clear through 10 the spine. The SKIN IN
contact had been burned TO black
cnder, and the flesh above had been cook
ed until yellow, while the inner tissues
had been baked.
The sponge in the upper electrOde had
been singed, though not 80 much az the
other, and the scalp was only slnged ID
stead Of being incinerated.
CAUSES OF THE FAILURE TO KILL INSTANTLY.
Finally. as to the causes of the failure to
kill kemmler instantly. There Is SAID by
all the physicians TO be no doubt that con-
seriousness was stricken instantly from MS
brain. The fact that he was not instantly
killed is the result of improper contact or
insufficient voltage or pressure. Contact
certainly was not perfect at the head, tor
two thirds of the contact was upon the
mans thick, smoothly brushed hair. the
clipped spot being one third the sue OF
the electrodes diameter. The consensus
Of opinion among witnesses here to-day u
that not the slightest doubt exists but
that human being may beinstantly Killed
by 900 volts applied through perfect con-
tact and continued twenty seconds. The
BODY of Kemmler Will doubtless be dis
posed Of tomorrow in the prison burylng-
ground, with quick-lime to hasten dissolu-
ton.
CONCLUSIONS or AN EXPERT.
DR.. Shrady. who ia editor of the Medical
Record. tonight telegraphed an editorial
TO his paper. from which some extracts are
here given: The heightened agony of sus-
pense regarding the efficiency of electricity
as means of executing criminals has
been finally terminated in the legal killing
of Kemmler. As was reasonably antci-
pated death was instantaneous IN so far as
can be Judged. The unfortunate subject
of the experiment died without pain. The
spectacle presented was, however, by no
means edifying 10 such as hope TOR the
improvement Of the old methods.
THE QUESTION OF HUMANITY STILL oPES.
Although science has triumphed the
question Of the humanity of the act Is still
an open one. While we allow that cleo
tricitv has been a success as far rs the
killing is concerned. we must also admit
that We have gained little, If anything,
over the ordinary method of execution by
hanging. The preliminaries OF electro
thanasia are far from pleasant 10 contein-
plate. Alongside OF those for hanging they
are pretentlously horrible.
THE HORRIBLE PRELIMINARIEs.
There is something more than weird in
the preparation of the machine, the de
liberate fixation of the victim, the ADJUST
ment Of the electrodes and the thousand
deaths in contemplating one when more
than offsets the quick though damnabie
taking off The horrors. though hidden,
are nevertheless felt. There Is something
else 10 be thought of than mere quickness
OF death. While the latter might have been
triumpbantly done the agony of the crimi-
nal during the preparations must be terrible
as compared with that OF hanging
ID becomes serious question If humanity
is not paving too dear price for instanta-
neous demolition. The awe and misery OF
death are intensified a thousand-fold III
the anticipation of what this instrument OF
subtle power may do rs compared with
either moose OF rope, the grip of the gar
rote. the smart Of the knOut, the bolt OF
the bullet or chop of the axe. And yet To
harness the lightning and bolt IT through
the human body Is thought to be one OF
the advances of the nineteenth century.
SERIOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE NEW METHOD.
The experiences in the Kemmler case,
in spite Of all the precautions taken, have
shown many difficulties in the way OF
general adoption of the method. II rs far
from simple IN its application. II requires
elaborate and careful preparation. II null
tiplies machinery, which without expert
manipulation is liable to fail its working
and bring about disastrous results. 10
NAV be a source of dangers TO execu-
TONERS and spectators, 1t increases the
expense of executions. but worse than
al, IN the necessary preparation OF the VIC
tim there is crowded upon him IN few
seconds an amount of horror and suspense
which holds no comparison with any other
forms of rapid demolition, save those OF
being thrust INTO the muzzle Of loaded