The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-11
The ELECTRICAL EXECUTION.
Dr.. WheelOCk Ryder, a Witness, Tells Hcy
LOppy was Killed.
THE ELECTROCUTION SUCCESSFUL.
He Thinks ii Better Than the Old Mode
OF Desth-Believes IL Would be Bet
ter TO Have Full Reports.

ROCHESTER,, n. Y. Dec. 1O-Dr. Wheelock
Ryder. the eminent eye specialist of this city,
was one Of the witnesses of the Loppy execu-
tion at Sing Sing prison last Monday, al
though his name did not appear in the press
reports.
To reporter the doctor said Yesterday:
Yes, / was present at the execution. re-
ceived an invitation from Warden Brown and
went on account of my own curiosity"
Are you sworn to secrecy so that you can
not give any information regarding the exc
cution?"
The witnesses were required to take an
oath not to diyulGe the details of the exc
cutlon, said DR.. Ryder.
DO you regard the electrocuton as sue
cessfulY'
Most decidedly do And it is certainly
the most humane way of executing criminals.
If we are going TO execute them at all. There
was nothing sickenng, nothing terrible about
the manner in which Loppy met his death.
Notwithstanding sensational newspaper re-
ports TO the contrary. There was no odor of
burning flesh. of which so much has been
said. nor irightful contortlons."
Was death instantaneous
} es. 1t was quicker than that Death did
not occur after the current was turned on.
but the instant it was applied. Loppy did
not suher. Suffering was impossible Death
occurred in one-thousandth part of second.
and pain. if such 1t may be termed which
does not last longer than that cannot cause
suffering. Any pain which Loppy suffered |
would be willing to endure oil day.
was there any evidence of respiration after
the current was first applied?
No there was not. nor was there q single
evidence OF life from the moment Loppy re-
ceived the first shock. Ii was Just as though
he had been struck on the head by lightning
while standing on ground that was damp,
The whole thing was perfect"
Was there moro than one contact?n
es. there were several. You know there
ls more force IN a broken current than there
Is IN a steady one"
How long were the currents applied? :"
About fifty seconds.
IF death was instantaneous why was IL
necessary 20 turn the current OF and on
agan,"
I'm the case Of hanging replied Dr. Ryder.
death occurs when the neck is broken, but
body is not cut down for several minutes
afterward. II Is simply to avoid any posi-
bility of a failure 10 produce DEATH
When asked respecting the contractions Of
the muscles DR.. Ryder said: Muscular con-
traction was noticeable. of course" You ap-
ply an electric current 10 the leg of frog
hours after the member is severed from the
rest Of the body and there will be a
contraction of the muscles. Apply an
electric current 10 quarter of beef after 1t
has been hung up in the butcher-shOp. and if
it has not been too long since the animal was
killed contraction of the muscular tissues
may he seen. Any movement which was no.
ticeable of Ioppv's body was entirely due 10
muscular contraction.
"What Is your opinion about publication of
the electrocutions ~
~ bolieye il WOulI he bpttor n lova roura-
sentatives Of the press associations admitted
10 the executions. There Is nothing con
nected with it which could not properly be
published"