Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-10
The ElectrOcutions at Sing Sing Are
Pronounced Successful.
DEATHS PAINLESS AND HUMANE.
The Shock So Swift That 1t Cuts Syllable in Two.
Expert Witnesses Deny That Any Of the
Victims Were Burnsd-TwO Prayed,
the Others Were Mum.

CtSS Ill CNCl ways ooiN DA' DN0NA 10y
''and there was not the slightest hitch.
Electric execution has come to stay.
These executions have demonstrated
that the method is humane"
"Do you say that all four died In
stantly?"
eyes, sir; they died the instant the
current reached them"
500 you say there was no sensation,
no sensibility after the current reached
them?"
"There was 10 sensiblity whatever
after the current reached them. 1t was
an absolutely painless death in all
four cases"
"Did you read the Associated Press
report of the execution"
81 did,"
"Was it accurate?"
1T was In the main. Somebody must
have leaked. 1t was thought that one
of the guards told. the story for cash"
"Now, doctor, this system Of execu-
tiou is on trial before the people"
Eyes, sir"
"And / am going to ask you another
question or two. In that report 1t was
stated that a second shock was given
each of the men,"
"Yes, SIR"
"And that at the second shock the
bodies straightencd up and became
rigid"
"Ouite true. That was the case. But
there was no life in the bodies. The
same effect would have been produced
on a third or fourth contact. The cleo
trio current would produce that con-
traction so long as there was heat In the
body"
"Why was that second shock given?"
"To prevent the muscular exhibition
that was noticed at Kemmler's execu-
tion."
"Did any sound come from the men
after they go; the first shocKT
None, whatever"
"Was there any burning OF the fiesh?
ThsGs hsGslSs %ss nsshiteP ePbbagse bgse Eas aid GSF tha
is all.
"a Now York paper states that when
SmiIer's body reached New York the
face was found to be burned in several
places"
That was downright lie."
"What were the scalds, or blisters,
likeP"
'sThe electrode held sponge satura-
ted with salt water. This water
became heated because OF the con-
tinuation of the current, becoming
hot enough to blister the skin. But be-
fore the salt water became hot the man
was dead. Above the eye Of one OF the
men there was a small white blister. In
Kemmlers case there was a brown
mark, which was not the case In the
present case. repeat, that the only
approach to burning was a small white
blister raised by the heated water"
How can you be sure. Doctor. that
the men died Instantly"
cpl tell you one very satisfactory
test. Socum was praying when he
died; so was Wood. The others said
nothing, but l particularly observed
Slocum. He was saying Lord have
mercy on my soul when he received
the shock. He had just said the word
my and started to say soul The
sibilant sound OF the IS was made. but
the word soul was never uttered. Some
considerable time ago | was asked how
quickly death would come in such case.
replied that 1t would cut a syllable IN
two. When Slocum died the syllable |
sour was cut in two. Could anybody |
ask for better evidence of instantaneous |
death?"
How did the men approach the |
char?"
"Bravely."
"Was there any disturbance or resist |
ance?"
"None whatever"
''Did the men say anything?"
"Smiler and Jugiro said nothing. |
Woods and Slocum prayed"
Would you suggest any changes that |
might be made to better the method OF |
executI0nw
"Soue changes might be made, but |
none that could bring quicker or more
painless death. think 1t would be a
good idea TO have the current come
the hands. which would be
placed hanging down at the sides OF the
chair. My idea is to have the head
free; le. the man be mau while living
and be able TO look around. | have a
couple OF electrodes in view and am now
hving them tested. Oh, there may be
SINE small details changed but the main
thing is demonstrated Electrical exc
cu.lonS are instantaneous, painless,
humane"
what was the force OF the current?"
'Sixteen hudred volts"
''rhe executions were an unqualified
sncc.ss In every way" said DR.. Daniels.
''Tht men had no sensibility Of pain
and tey died Instantly. The execu-
tions demonstrated that the electric
metho is quick, painless and humane"
Wa there any burning?"
Il say none. and I looked az all the
bodies . carefully as did any man In
the deah chamber. Perhaps some OF
the wate from the sponge being super
heated finn continuation o. the elec-
tric curre ran down the sides OF their
faces andklighrly scslced them, but II
so, / s,w no evidence Of IL.
The statenents made that the men
were burnef are false. There was no
any kind. There were
no sounds, rp burning, no odor Of burn
Ing flesh nothing whatever that would
revolt any SPECTATOR. Every spectator
was certain tht there had:been no pain.
no sensibilityl spoke to one OF the
priests about \ he said the executions
we're successknd that be was sure
there had beenso pain. Ia
do Jon thini any changes might bs
made 70 better Hs method7". Ii
''yes. and shak shas chances Nm :