Fergus County argus., 1890-08-14

| odscutcnt VI tuc Statc priSOu, III Vtlls
city, william Kemmler was killed
under the law by the use of electricity
On March 20. 1899, he murdered his
mistress, Tillie Zieeler, and his death
today was in reparation for his crime
He breakfasted lightly, between s and
o o'clock. Religious services was held.
He made his own toilet. He was
cheerful, cool and without apparent
dread. Heentered the death chamber
about half past six. He assisted in
preparing himself for death. He was
placed in an ordinary chair by the
warden, who introduced him to those
present. He made brief farewell re-
marks. There were no prayers in the
death-room. The man was evidently
devoid OF nervous tension. His voice
when he spoke, displayed no tremor.
He submitted to the straps quietly.
He directed the fixing of the electrodes.
He made suggestions to the warden
and finally sat without tremor to
await the stroke.
A convulsion marked the appIica-
tion of electricity. He was said to
be dead in II seconds, and the current
was stopped. Later respiration was
resumed. The current was again ap.
piled and in IS minutes from the first
stroke he was declared dead. The
flesh of his back was burned, also a
spot upon the top of his head.
The autopsy was begun three hours
after death and it's superficial disclos-
ures noted by all the doctors present.
A microscope must determine later
the exact conditions,
Kemm!er's nerve was something
wonderful. He never faltered. He
directed the adjustment of himself in
the chair and counseled the warden to
moderation to secure perfect safety.
The shock was given at CAB. O'Clock
and was continued about g seconds.
Two minutes after the current was
cut off there was evidences of respira-
tion. AS soon as possible the current
was returned, then cut of and again
respiration was evident after few
moments. Saliva came from the
mouth, the chest heaved and there
was n wheeling in the throat. The
shock was again put to the prisoner,
whom the doctors remarked Was un-
conscious rom the moment OF the
first shock. After short time smoke
appeared ut the base. The flesh vas
burning. The spectacle was most
trying. The man, the doctors said,
suffered no pain, however.
The warden says voltage at the first
shock was at l,a0O volts, which ran
down to a point not named. After
the third contact OF four minutes.
the man was declared dead. The
warden's certificate of death was
signed by all present and the party
broke up at 1:3O to meet at s:l5,
when the body would he ready for an
autopsy
When the mask was taken off Kemm-
ler's face, his eyes were found half
open and his expression, while not
normal or placid, was not horrifying
to Soc Immediately after the execu-
tiOn, DIR. Shrady, an eminent physi-
clan said to a reporter:
"As far as kemmler was concerned,
the scene was most hOrrifying. !
mean by that, that his conduct was
so admirable. Hc displayed such
gentle dignity through it all that it
went straight to the heart of everyone
present. When the electric current
was applied, he stiffened out under the
shock. ] think that consciousness
was Mt once lost. but that life was
not extinct. After the current had
been applied, q number of seconds, |
think ] myself said dead Then DIR.
Fell rushed in and began to losen the
head piece. There were corvulsive
movements OF the chest and there was
"A demand that the current be applied
again. This was done. The instant
contact was made, there was capillary
congestion of tho face and hands
which regarded as post mortem
appearance as though YOU applied a
current to dead body. The longer
the current was kept on after the
period which we call the death period,
this line OF congestion gradually sank,
showing that the blood was no longer
propelled to vessels, but had settled
down to dependent parts as in dead
subjects"
As to the result. SO far as it touches
upon a question OF the practicability
and advisability OF inflicting the death
penalty, DIR. Spitzka gave u reporter
permission to say this as coming from
him: II regard this as by far a more
digniiied execution by law than any
hanging | ever witnessed, but it's scien-
tiiic uncertainty after so much expense
and time leads me to believe that this
method will not be adopted in other
states, and this will be the first and
last electric execution"
After having his hair cut on the top
OF his head, kemmler listened to the
reading OF the death warrant by the
warden, and was then escorted to ths
death chamber. Warden Durston
placed plain wooden bottomed chair
before kemmler and bade him sit
upon it. He obeyed readily. There
was no uneasiness about his move.
ments. lie was apparently the most
calm person IN tue room. The war.
den then took seat beside kemmler
and introduced him to those present,
asking him if he had anything to say.
lie had, and said: "Weli, wish every
body good luck in the world" he said
in easy tones, land I'll go to q good
place; the papers have been saying
lots q. stu: about ME that amt So"
The prisoner then assisted in prepara-
ton for his own death. Every strap
had been frightened, the electrode had
been pressed tn the seat OF life; the
wardens and deputies stepped back,
and there was a hush. Tie warden
inquired OF Doctors Macdonald and
Spitza how long the current should he
maintained in kemmler's body. The
first response was 20 seconds, which
was almost instantly changed to 10
| seconds.
kemmler awaited the shock. The
hour was q O'Clock and 43 minutes.