Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-07

fflf the cur WAS NhNfls anu. ~ Ait' E'ilA'i
proved. with no good result. The shaven
spot was 2HXll4 inches in size. and was
not shaven, but cropped fairly close.
While this was proceeding the witnesses
examined the chair of death. A belt was
run upOn "a dyanO away down IN the south
wing Of the prison. and lncandescent test
lamps in the ante-chamber glowed family.
The current was on. The strange power
was coursng the circult. The evidence
was there. but feeby the lamps burned.
SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE MACHINERY.
An electrician remarked that there was
something wrong with the machinery
down there, referring TO the dynamo END
Of the circuit. This remark took place be-
fore the electricizing II * well 20 remem-
Der. and vas undoubtedly as true Few
minutes later when the bolt was applied to
kcmmler.
The condemned, after having his hair
en-. ON top of his head listened to the
reading of the doath-warrant by the war
den. None of the state witnesses were
present only the prisoner the preachers,
and the Warden. The man was cool, un;
ruiiied almost apathetlc. The last,named
condition. however, was discredited by the
blanchcd hue of the mans face.
INTO THE DEATH CHAMBER.
Come. Bill" commanded the Warden,
when all had been done III the cell, and
the little marty of four warden, prisoner,
and clergymen-passed through the ante
room, past the electrical appliances, ana
the Warden led the way finally INTO the
death chamber. Close behind him trOd the
mau he soon would kill. His hands swung
M his side easily. save when, as though IN
some embarrassment, he stroked ms
brown. full beard and mOustache "a he
confronted the white, expectant faces OF the
TWENTY-FIVE men VINO, besides the Narueh'
should soon see HIM de-
Mr.. DurstOn placed n PLAIN, wooden-bot-
toned chair directly in front OF another
and different chair and babe kemmier SIT
upon II. He obcyed readily. There WAS
no uueasiuess about his movements. tie
seated himself leisurely. There was no
nervous tension apparent-lndeed, not
near so much as among the men ABOUT
him he was apparently the calmest per-
son in the room.
The Warden took place beside Kemm-
Ter after the latter had become seated IN
a kitchen chair placed for him, resting his
arm over the prisoners shoulder on the
chair-back. Holding his hat IN his hand
the Warden presented the condemned
man 10 those present. Now, gentlemen;
tins Is William kemmler. nave gust READ
the death-warrant TO HIM and have told
him he has got to die, and If he has any
surprise among those present. kemmler,
however. seemed gratltled because he hal
an opportunity 10 speak.
TIE PRISONER sPRAKs
With his feet wide apart upon the stone
floor. with a hand on either knee and ell
hows endowed, Kemmler said: Well, /
wish everybody good luck IN tins world,
and I'm going 20 the good place, and the
papers has been sayiu' lots OF stun about
me that amt so.
That was all. The prisoner glanced oyer
his shoulder a. he ceased SPEAKING ana MT;
Durston came back 10 ms side. Take on
vonr coat. Bill" said he. Kemmler readily
did as ne was told.
ADJUSTING THE APPARATUS.
The Warden then cut of the bottom OF
his shirt SO as to adjust the olectrode TO
ms naked back. Kemmler was more COM
posed than the attendants who were adj
iustiug the apparatus andiastenlng INN TO
The chair. Once or twice he told them 10
take their time and take ii easy. His APP
nearance and manner disproved all the
statements that the man was insane or III a
habhy state of detection. IL took seven
minutes TO complete FL arrangements.
The Warden then turned and nodded his
head to some one VINO stoOu III the secTet-
room at the fatal switch.
THE STROKE oy LIGHTNING.
There was IA quick. convulsiye start of
the bound figure in the chair and little
snneaking sound of stTaining straps. After
that convulsive start marked the stroke OF
Eghtn,ng upon kemmler there was no
movement of a muscle or twltch OF a
nerve. AT the expiration of seventeen se-
conds the current was cut on.
RESPIRATION RESUMED.
While the physicians We're examining
Kemlnler. in one minute and forty-seconds
after the current had stopped, kemmler's
chest BEGAN TO neave, startling and horrl-
f,,;ng the spectators. The doctors declared,
however, that the man was beyond con-
sciousness, and some thought the actlon
which startled all and sent the warden
away with a white face to order the cur
Tenf renewed was only reflex muscular
action. Not 80 with one physician VINO
declared he would stake his name that he
could bring Kemmler back 10 conscious
life with brandy hypodermics.
SPECTATOR PAINTS.
Meantime G.. G. Balm, a Washington
newspaper-man. had tainted and lay upon
| a bench, where he was being tanned.
With the renewal of the current. the
! figure in the chair again strained us
/ straps, but the lungs AGAIN hiied. Inc
! Warden and his electrical helper were
| anxious beyond measure, ana TWO anu one
quarter minutes after the current nau peen
| reappled the switch was opened ana SHUT
| rapidly twice Each time the body IN the
chair was lifted by the shock; the shout,
ders were lifted 10 the level OF the tops OF
| the bars and the features contracted.
THE BODY BURNS.
Then smoke was observed curling fIonl
| Reminders back. The body was still and
the current was again turned of. He's
unquestionably dead" said DIR. MacDon;
aid. "and be would never have moved
after the spasm of the first shock had the
current been maintained twenty seconds
and less time with q stronger current"
One Of the Buffalo doctors. seven min'
utes after the straps were removed, cut ths
skIna AT the temple for microscopic specs
| men Of the dead mans blood. II Was i'm
mediatsly examined and fouLl siixhtlJ
coagulated. While the witnesses were YET
sxamiuiug the body or comforting with
each other upon the event Of the murder
! er's death. Warden Duystop produced ~