The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-08
Another One Sworn to Secrecy.

SING SING, July 7.-Another witness of
the affair gave the following account of the
executions in the death chamber: After
experts had tested the electric current and
found everything in order, Warden Brown,
Deputy Warden Connaughton and two
deputies then entered the death cell of the
building. Slocum was selected as the first
victim and as soon as the priests finished
their supplications he stepped out of his
cell with alacrity. The walk to death be-
gan. Following the warden and deputy.
came Slocum between two priests, who held
aloft IN front of him crucifx, at which he
gazed. Two Deputies brought up the rear
of the fateful procession. Slowly the heavy
doors swung back, and with solemn tread
the little procession walked into the room
where the silence of death preyniled. They
had but few steps to take The chair wns
directly in their front. AS the leaders part
ed the chair stood out III all ita awfulness
b.fore the man about to sit in 1t and die.
Slocum halted at the warden's command
just on the edge of the rubber mat which
was to protect those who were to watch his
life 90 out.
The doomed mans gaze'wa riveted on
the chair. Then it wandered to tho
dangling wire and closet from which 1t was
suspended. Back of the chair il came like
q needle to Il magnet, and he started as
though he had received shock from the
death warrant. While the reverend men
engaged in silent prayer, the witnesses
were grouped to the loft of the chair. The
scientists stood IN front of the switchboard
watching the current, which they read like
n book as it flashed in the lamps, and
thr ough the recording instrument. The
eaeoutioner was heard to rise from his
chair in the closet and place himself ready
to do his duty. With an ut
tempt Mt a smile slocum seated
himself i'll the chair and leaned
his head back against the rubber rest as
though he was simply preparing to be
shaved. The forced smile remained on his
fnce and as Fathers Creedon and Lynch
took up positions iii front OF him he again
directed his gaze at the GROSS, while Con-
nauchton began fastening the straps.
The straps crossed and recrossed his body
and his legs were tightly bound to a foot
rest. Then his arms were fastened and
Slocnm could not move u muscle. Finally
the oddly arranged set of straps that bound
the chair in one position and covered the
aid and Rockwell and Prof. Landy np-
prouched to attach tho electrodes. The
positive electrode WAS placed on Slocum's
head. tho same as In the kemmler electro
cution. Tho negative elect,ode was at
tached to the right log the trousers
having been rolled up for
the purpose before Slocum was bound in
the chair When the electrodes were adj
justed and wires attached the three scien-
lists glanced at tho switch board and said
the current was steady and registered 1,600
volts Drs. Mcdonald and Rockwell then
stood on either side OF the chair. Other
physicians among the witnesses also drew
near while the lavmen stood back as though
not sue OF their nerves. Drs. Daniels,
Southwick and Ward took especial interest
III those prellmlnarles ana with wntch IN
hand waited the signal.
Prof. Lnndy's hand grasped tho handle
of the switch which turned tho current into
the wires in the clectrocutioner's closet.
Warden Brown raised his hand and Prof.
Landy turned the switch. Then the war
den tapped on the closet. The unknown
man inside gave a quick pull on the lever.
The electric fluid was released before tho
sound of the tap could reach Slocum'a ears
and sped through his body. There WAS no
tremor of the body as the physician counted
the seconds and when Prof. Landy turned
off the current Socum sat rigid and lifeless
i'll the chair, When the electrodes were re-
moved it WAS discovered that the skull and
flesh of tho log had been slightly burned,
but there WAS no smell Of roasting flesh,
such IA made the kemmler eleotrocution so
horrible. The straps we're unloosed and
the body was carried back into tho rear
room.
Smiler did not hesitate when told that
his hour had come. but when the death