Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-08

Slocum was selected as the first VIC
tim and as soon as the goOd-prieStS mad
finished THERE suppIicatioDs he said be
was ready and stepped out of his cell
with alacrlSy. Then began the walk to
death. Slocum halted at the warden 5
command just on the edge OF the rubber
mat which was to protect those who
were watching his life go out. The
doomed mans gaze was rivited on the
chair. Then it wandered TO the dang
ling wire and the closet from which 1T
was suspended Back to the chair iI
came, then he started as though he
had received shock from the wire,
when the warden began reading the
death warrant.
The witnesses were grouped TO the
left of the chair. The scientists stood
in front of the switchboard watching the
current, which they read as book as il
| flashed in the lamps and through the re-
cording instruments. The executioner
believed to be convict) was heard to
rise from his chair in the closet and
place himself ready to do his duty.
sLOCUMs SMILE.
With an attempt at a smile, Slocum
seated himself in the chair AID leaned
his head back against the rubber rest as
though he was preparing to be shaved
His eyes were clear, and he appeared TO
be in perfect physical condition. He
took his eyes from the cross held before
him long enough to aid Deputy Warden
Connaughton in his task, and then until
the shield was placed on his face, his
lips moved in prayer and he looked fix
edly at the cross. The straps crossed
and recrossed his body and his legs
were tightly bound to the foot rest
Then his arms were fastened and Slocum
could no longer move muscle.
Finally an oddly arranged set of
straps that bound his chair in one
position and covered his eyes were put
in place. Now Doctors Macdonald and
Qockwell and Prof. Laudy attached the
electroes. The positive side was placed
on SIocum's head the same as in the
Kemmler electrocution. The negative
electrode was attached to the right leg,
rnTrr.= wnen inc eIectrodes had been
adjusted and the wires attacnea sha
scientists glanced at the switchboard
and registered LOGO volts. Drs.
Macdonald and Rockwell then stood on
either side of the chair. The other
physicians along the witness drew near,
while the laymen stood back as though
not sure Of their nerve.
Warden Brown raised his hand and
Prof. Laudy turned the switch. Then
the Warden tapped on the closet. The
unknown inside gave quick pull to
his rubber covered lever. The electri-
cal fluid was released before the sound
of the tap reached Slocum's ears and
like the lightning's flash 1t sped
through his body.
SMILER WEAKENs.
Smiler did not hesitate when told that
his hour had come, but when the chair
appeared before him he almost fell to
the floor. His knees knocked together,
and but for the support of his spiritual
advisers he would certainly have col
lapsed. His face took on CHASTITY hue,
and Connaughton got no assistance from
his victim in arranging the straps.
! Smiler was bound and the electrodes
applied in a much briefer time than
! Slocum, and in few seconds Smiler
was dead.
Wood had been prepared by Fathers
| Creeden and Lynch while Smiler was
going to his death, and he was all ready.
He uttered no word when his time came.
Wood betrayed no emotion when he
gazed on the chair but kept his eyes
the chair indifferntly and his binding
was accomplished so quickly that it was
only twenty-four minutes from Smiler's
end until death came to him.
Jugiro at first refused to leave his
cell, but when Mr.. Connaughten: "Come
on Joe. be brave man." the Jap walk
ed out quietly. A keeper assisted Con-
naughten in binding the Jap and the
last act was quietly accomplished. The
current was allowed TO remain in the
Jap's body about three seconds longer
than the contact with the three others;
accordingly his skull and legs were
strongly marked By the electrodes.
In all the cases the first contact was
not considered sufficient, second was
continued until the flesh was singed,
while satisfying the physicians that the
men were dead.
In Reminders case the burning of the
body was ascribed in part to the fact
that the sponges at the electrodes were
not well wetted. In all four cases to-
day the sponges were wetted constant
", and still the body was burned. The
reason for this result will have tC
be sought elsewhere. The autopsy OF
the bodies was commenced early in the
morning and lasted we'll in the after
noou. Those who conducted the opera
tions were Drs. Mcdonald. Rockwell
Southwick, Daniels, and Prof. Laudy
The body OF Jngiro was the first Z
be placed under the dissecting knife
As to the result OF these examination
there appears TO be a difference o
opinion among those who took part IL
|. the autopsy.
! Some physicians assert that no burn
, or marks were discovered, while other
: tell exactly an opposite story. DR.
D Rockwell said that the dynamo worke,
! perfectly, and that the force Of the cur
rent was between 1880 and 1000 volts