Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-08-07
The Execution of Kemmler.

The execution of Kemmler by electricity
at Auburn, N. Y, yesterday was described
In the GAZETTE. The autopsy was held
three hours after death under the supervis-
ion Of Drs. Carlos F. Macdonald, +. q.
Spzka and George F. Shrady, of New York,
and performed by Dr.. W. T. Jenkins, OF
New York. assis ed by DR.. Clayton Nj. Dsr-
iels, of Buffalo, N. Y. DR.. Shrsdy gave out
the autopsy. They all agreed that uncon-
seriousness was instantly produced, and death
was apparently painless, Notwithstanding
some slight defect in the electrical apps-
ratus, which required second contract OF
the current to insure death. Extensive
charring CT the body at the points OF contact
of the electrodes, also minute hemorrhages,
were found in the serous membranes and 10
the ventricles Of the brain. The blood was
fluid and dark.
DR.. Sbrady has an article in the Medical
Record on execution by electricity, from
which the following is taken:
The heightened agony of suspense re-
garding the efficiency OF electricity ss
means of executing criminals has tean fir-
ally terminated in the legal killing OF Kemu :
Ter. As was reasonably anticipated death
YVES instantaneous. and go far ss can be
luURSUs
pertinent died without pain. The spectacle
presented yes, however, by no means edify-
irg to such "a hope for improvements of cd
methods. Although science has triumphed,
the question of the humanity OF the oct is
still sn open Que. While we allow that cleo
tricity has been SUCCESS as far as killing Is
concerned, we must also admit that we have
gained little II anything over the ordinary
method ofexecution by hanging. The pre-
limnari.s OF electro -shanssa are lar from
nlessant to contemplate. Alongside 3ttbose
for banging they are pretentiously horrible.
There is something more than weird 10 the
preparation of the machine, the deliberate
fixatiou of the Wit N, The adjustment o! the
elt ctrode and the thousand deaths in con-
templating one, which more than Offsets
the quick, though damnable tskine-oH
The horrors. though hidden, are nevertbe-
less felt. There is sumeihipg else to
be thought of than the mere quick
ness of death. While the latter might
have been trinmphsntly dong, the
agony OF the criminal during the pfepars-
lions mus. be terrible as compared With that
of banging. The awe and mystery Of death
are intensified thousand fold in antlcipa-
ton Of what this subtle power may do es
compared with either the noose OF The rope,
the grip of The garroter. the emart Of the
knout, the bore of the bullet or the chop OF
the axe. The experiences in the Kemmler
case, in spite OF all the precautions taken,
have shown many difficulties in the way CT
general adoption OF the method. 1t Is far
from simple 10 Its application. 1t requires
elaborate and careful preparation it null
tlplies machinery. which, without expert
manipulation, is liable to fail In its working
and bring about disastrous results; it may
be source OF danger to the executioners
snd spectators; it increases the expense of
executions; but worse than ali, in the ne
cessary PREPARATION of the victim there ia
crowded upon him 10 q few seconds an
amount of horror and suspense which holds
no comparison with any other forms OF rep
i'd demolition save those of being thrust it,
to the muzz of loaded cannon or tied to
q dynamite bomb"