New-York tribune., 1890-08-07
PAST SUFFERING
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


method hanging, is not conclusive. Ii
is agreed apparently that the electrical current
produced unconsciousrcss instantly, and therefore
immediate release from all pain and suffering.
This being true, humaniarians and those who be-
lieve that a murderers taking-Of should he made
as easy as possible, and a, far removed from any
thing like barbarsm as science can place IT, VIII Ds
satisfied in LTeat measure with to-days result
To Warden DurstOn is due much of the blame
tor the unfortunate incidents Of the first electrical
execution. Owing to the trouble which he has
had with the various electricians employed by
him 10 put the dynamos and electrical apparatus
in perfect working order almost the last hour
before KemmIer was taken from his cell there was
considerable uscertainty as to what the machines
were really capable of doing. In the first place,
the dynamo and the attendant apparatus were not
anywhere near the death chamber and the means
Of communication with the men in charge OF the
machinery which supplied the deadly current was
by electric bells and signal taps. The volt metre
which registered the intensity of the current was
not within sight of the charged with pro-
nouncing that death had come He could not tell
whether or not 100 1000 volts were passing
through the murdercr'S body.
This is the most essential feature of all Will
lam Kemmler did not suffer; although, when the
electricity was cut off, there mus
cular contractiOns which 10 the ineXperi-
enced eye made it seem as though he
was suffering intense pain and was dying slowly
in great agony That he did not suffer is the
testimony of all the physicians who attended the
execution. Those who criticise do so mainly
on the effect of taking the current from the body
rather than in applying it The muscular or
mechanical reaction following too weak and
short contact of the body with the electric wire is
+1,o ohio
truthfuliy be said to have been something of an
experiment. Many human lives have been lost
through the deadly electric current. That was
through caTelcSsness stupidity, accident, but
this is the first time that this force has ever been
legally applied To human being as a substitute
for other methods of execution. In all the cases
where death has resulted from accident. it has
been impossible, from many causes to determine
the force necessary 10 produce death. Electric
companies have cndeavored 10 surround each case
of death with many obstacles TO
thorough investigation as they could invent
The knowledge gained To-day has satisfied all Of
the friends of a humane punishment that what
they have claimed for the system is practical and
practicable.
II the machinery and the appliances for registers
ing the intensity and volume of the electric cur
rent had been within sight of DR.. Sptzlla this
morning. there is no doubt that he would have
allowed the current 10 continue a few seconds
longer. until certain that death had really come
His only guide was the number of volts which
the machine ought to have furnished. As it was,
the number really varied from 500 10
1900 volts. much lower than the anticipated num-
her Hints have also been thrown out that
the machinery may have reen tampered with, but
they are thus far only rumors.
seldom have so many prominent physicians
come together at the death of a man as there were
here to-day. All came with one idea, and that
was honestly to watch the execution from 4 sci-
cntiiic point Of view, and TO give the world the
benefit of what they learned. Under the law, the
Warden had the power to invite twenty tyone Wit
ncsses 10 the execution, and he wisely chose
all save two OF these from the ranks
OF science in medicine and electricity.
The physicians present Louis Ealch,
secretary of the State Board of Health: Dr. W. J.
Ncllis of Albany; Deputy Coroner W. T. Jenkins.
of New-York; DR. Joseph Fowler. OF Buffalo; DR..
Henry A. Argue. Of Corning: DR.. c. VI. Daniels, II
buffalo: DR.. \. I. Southwick OF Bulalo DR.. ii.
L. Allison. OF Auburn: DR.. I. X. Smith, of Au-
burn: DR. +. c. Spitzka. of New-Nork; DR. Carlos
F. Macdonald. chairman of the State Lunacy Com-
mission; DR.. George L. Fell and Dr. George W.
Snrady, of NcW-lorN. The others who SAW
the execution besides the Warden and LIS
assistants were Sheriff o. ~ Jenkins,
of Buffalo. Deputy Sheriff Joseph c. Yelling, Of
Buffalo Tracy X. Becker, Michael Conlan and
George w. Irish
The physicians held n meeting on Tuesday night
and dccldcd That DIs. Daniels and jenkins
should make the autopsy. and that Drs Shrady,
Macdonald and Spitzka with the other physl 'ians,
should assist. Each of the doctors present had a
special subject 10 which they have given much
and ,b ipb fO IA
made by them subsequently Will he of great in
rcrest to the medical profession throughout the
world The electric apparatus was in charge Of
f. F. Davis of Ncw-lork. an assistant OF Harold
=. Brown: {. X. Barnes. Of Rochester. and {. X.
Uuntley of Buffalo Mr. Dav, had special charge
of the switchboard. and Mr.. Barnes OF the dyn-
amo. Who 1t was that pulled the fatal lever
is not known, but 1t is generally understood
that the warden delegated this office TO a convict
in stripes Mr.. lIuntley took no active part LII
the execution.
The room in which the dynamo stood
is in the northeast wing of the prison,
from 500 to 900 feet from the eNecu-
toE-room The dynamo used is the ordinary COM
mcrcial Westinghouse machine, and is capable or
producing "A current of 800 volts The current
employed on kemmer varied from 500 to l,5oo
volts The dynamo was run by an engine in the
basement of the prison. The wires which carrleu
the deadly current ran out of window of the dy-
namo-room 10 the roof OF the jail and along 'l'
roof to point directly over the room hrst chosrn
for the death chamber in the southern wing oi uo
prison From this room two small Wits Id"
10 the engine and dynamo-room. in''o
wires were the means Of communicative" "'.
the room in which the switchboard was idS""eu
and the men in charge of both the dynamo anu
orcines and 4 code of signals had been arranged
by them. The wires were attached 10 eec'''
bells Two strokes of the bell was the s'ghai 10
start the engine and succeeding oouole SuoAo
was a command TO increase the power oho
stroke meant to stop the machinery Inc Swi'o"s
hoord was five feet long by three and one-haS
,,o, broad and upon this were volt meter re-
sis,orce box. lamp-board. regulating swlteh'
'' ..,s rho Iomns an ammctcr. TO measure