The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-08

Linc..IIOw the NlSnJ WuS opeht--Aho
Condemned Men Meet Death Un-
sInchingly-Full Details of the Exc
cution.
SING SING, n. Y, July flames NJ.
slocum, Harris A. smiler, Joseph Wood
,pd Schihiok Jugiro were sent to their
doom at the prison here to-day by
means Of electricity. Theprisoners had
received some intimation beforehand
that the executions were to take place
tbismorning and they were preparation
them. Thcyweht to the executionchair
bovely and met their fates without a
struggle, but rather assisted the keepers
yben they were bound to the chair.
The testing apparatus showed a satis-
hc,ory strength of current, and the
electrician advised the warden of this
mt. When the witnesses had gathered
Dthe chamber, some OF them appeared
very nervous and all showed signs Of
rreat strain on their sensibilities.
Slocum was selected as the first victim,
,nd as soon us the good priests had fin
thed their supplications, he said he
vas ready, and stepped out of his cell
With alacrity. Then began the walk to
Death. Slocum halted at the warden's
Command Just on the edge of the rubber
mat which was to protect those who
we're watching his life go out. The
doomed mans gaze was riveted on the
chair; then it wandered to the dangling
wire and the closet from which it was
suspended. Back to the chair it came,
then he started as though he had re-
eiyed shock from the wire, when the
warden began reading thedeath warrant.
The witnesses were grouped to the
LETT Of the chair. The scientists stood
IN front Of the switch board watching
The current, which they read like book
Tit flashed in the lamps and through
The recording instruments. The execu-
toner believed to be convict) was
heard to rise from his chairin the closet
and place himself ready to do his duty.
With an attempt at a smile, Slocum
Rltel himself iu the chair and leaned
hsk against the rubber rest as through
hVg preparing to be shaved. His
sTe were clear and he appeared to be
imperfect physical condition. He took
ls eyes from the cross held before him
hng enough to aid Deputy Warden
Ccnnaugton in his task, and then, until
ths shield was placed on his face, his
Ups moved in prayer and he looked
fIedly on the cross. The straps crossed
sud recrossed his body and his legs
yee tightly bound to the foot-rest.
Then his arms were fastened, and Slo-
cum could no longer move q muscle.
Finally, an oddly arranged set Of
Enls that bound his chair in one posi-
toland covered his eyes were put in
lice Now Doctors Macdonald and
Rockwell and Prof. Laudy attached the
electrodes. The positive side was
placed on Slocum's head the same as in
The Eemmler electrocution. The mega
tive vas attached to the right leg, the
trousers having been rolled up for this
purpose before he was bound in the
char When the electrodes had been
adjusted and the wires attached the
l!hfee scientists glanced at the switch
poafd and said the current was steady
ana registered 1000 volts. Drs. Mac
Donald and Rockwell then stood on
either side OF the chair. The other
physicians, along with the witnesses,
Grew near while the laymen stood back
Is though not sure OF their nerves.
LIKE THE LIGHTNING FLASH.
Warden Brown raised his hand and
Prof, laudy turned the switch. Then
fcwardCn tapped on the closet. The
Unknown inside gave a quick pull to
BIZ rubber covered lever. The electri-
g mud was released before the sound
g the tap reached Slocum's ears, and
bis body.
Smilcr did not hesitate when told that
us hour had come, but when the chair
.Ppeared before him he almost fell to
ug IoOr, His knees knocked together,
sgu out for the support OF his spiritual
Savlsers he would certainly have col.
apsed; His face took on a chastity hue,
tal Sonnaughton got no assistance
S,n ION his victim in arranging the straps.
.nl.er was bound and the electrodes
| sPplied IN 4 much better time than
dead. 80" 'e''iis 9'ui'eF was
c, Wood had been prepared by Fathers
S,Sedeh Siih and Lynch while Smiler was
TTTIlns TTs to his death, and he was all ready.
v .s uttered no word when his time
SGas ,SsIe' Wood betrayed no emotion
hnlen he gazed on the chair, but kent
~ eyes fixed on the crucifix. He sat
ESnh E. on tue chair indilIerently and Ms
tL.. tL..'ng was accomplished so quickly
SHa ss y was only "a minutes from
-''eE end until death came to him,
THE JAP DIES.
"ug'Fo at first refused to leave his
Ssl' w but when Mr.. Connaughton said:
ou, joe, be a brave man." the
S..S ~ walked out quietly. A keeper as.
mS eu y NSonnaughton in binding the jap.
pi,boI'e Vie u, last act was quickly accom-.
SngI S,iu The current was Allowed to re.
op5. Ia IN lu The Jap's body about Ave sec.
b,oa bs longer than the contact with the
L, ~ Others; accordingly his skull and
tjSS'e tojsS strongly marked by the elec,
no, u ,i all the cases the first contact was
cos,! cS, considered sufficient; !; n second Xss
vSiialue until the flesh was singed,
II, We're dead. ~ '''A' ''V
boiy 4 ASenmlers Ne case the burning Of the
,b,ii IVA was ascribed in part TO the fact
MOI vnS ms snonges Mt the electrodes were