The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-06

AUBURN, N. r, Aug. 6.-The trial OF : new
means Of taking human life, while prompted by
humane motives has resulted in the sickening
spectacle presented by pinioned wretch at
whose vital center was kept pounding
for several moments IN alternating current of
electricity which. though it ultimately de-
stroyed his life. subjected the criminal to ! tor
ture ofwhich no living being has knowledge of
and meme can describe.
Imperfect regissry of the current pressure, or
faulty contact of the electrodes, prevented In
stantaneous death.
The laymaa may gain some conception of the
process OF this killing when the statement is
made that person whose body should be
shaken into fragments could not have suffered
such pain as did Kemmler, whose nerve-cells
and tissues were disintegrated, not in fash a
designed, bat by the relatively slow strokes Of
the electric hammers upon them.
Whether the blood contains it, nominal con
sistency or whether it II partially or wholly
fluidized by the divorce of oxygen from the
blood corpuiscles can only be determined by
the autopsy, which is about to be comm enced
Only deliberate pen can adequately describe
the scenes. and this detail will soon follow.
Kemmler's nerve was something wonderful
He never faltered.
He directed the adjustment Of himself in the
chsir. and counseled the warden to moderation
to secure perfect safety.
The shock was given at 6:4S}k, ana was con-
tinued about eighteen seconds
Two minutes after the current was cut OF
there was respiration.
As soon as possible the current was returned
then cut Of. and again respiration vas evident
After few moments saliva came frem the
month. the chest heaved. and there was wheex.
ing in the throat
The shock was again put to the pris0uer, who.
the doctor remarked. was nnconsciom from ths
moment Of the first shock
In short time smoke Appeared In the face.
The flesh was burned.
The spectacle was most trying.
The man, the doctors said. suffered no pain,
however.
The warden says the voltage at ,he shock was
at 1,so0 volts. waich was run down to I point
not named.
After the third contact of four minutes the
man was declared dead.
The warden's certificate Of death was siRned
BY oil present. and the party broke up at 7:4o, to
meet at S:15, when the body would be ready for,
the autopsy. s
When the mask was taken OF Kemmley's
face. his eyes were found half open, and his
expression, while not normal nor placid, was
horrible to see.
THE INVITED QUESTS.
The list OF those invited to witness the execu.
ton was as follows: DR.. Carlos f. Mcdonald. OF
New York, chairman of the state lunatic com.
mission; DR.. George F. shrady, New York; DR..
A. P. Southwick, father OF electrical execu-
ton bill: DR.. George E. Fell. DR..
C. NJ. Daniel. DR.. Charles Fowler, Of Buffalo:
DR.. w. J. Jenkins, deputy coroner of New York:
DIR. Louis Balch, secretary of the state board Of
health, of Albany; Dr. w. J. Mel.
lis. Of Albany; DR.. Henry A. Argue,
OF Corning, N. Y; Hon. Tracy c. Becker.
of Buffalo. the referee who took the testimony
on the first appeal as to the constitutionality of
the law; Frank W. Mach, of the Associated
Press; Robert Dunlap, of New York; District
Attorney Quimby. OF Buffalo, who had charge
of the murder trial in Buffalo; c. P. Huntley.
of Buffalo an electrician: G. G. Balm. of the
United Press; Doctors T. K Smith, J. NJ. Jen-
kins and H. F. Allison. OF Auburn. This makes
twenty-three of the twenty-six. The Others are
to be made up Of ministers or guards at the
prison.
The warden wishes it understood that Messrs.
Mack and Balm were invited not az witnesses.
but IS citizens of his own choosing