Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-19
Joseph L. Tice, the Rochester Mur-
derer ElectrOcutei
YESTERDAY AT AUBURN, N. Y.
Il was the Most Successful Execution Jet Held
Under New Yorks Law--Ths Body Showed
no Marks Whaieysr--A History Of
the Victim and His CrimA

Del0E ueelueu OtlleI budu too iVuS oucc.
There was nothing revolving about the
scene.
The murderer met his fate calmly.
The electric current was turned into the
body four times, each contact being
brief. The complete time OF contact
was fifty seconds. Tice slept from ten
to twelve o'clock last night. AT mid
night he was awakened 10
be- shaved. He had beon
told early in the evening by his
spiritual advisers that his life would be
taken this morning. He said he was
ready and he would meet his death like
a soldier, and he joined fervently In the
prayers OF the clergymen. Tice slept
but little after midnight. lie paced the
floor restlessly when not lying on his
cot. About O'clock he had almost
completely overcome his nervousness.
6:l5 n. IN. was the hodr the witnesses
were requested 10 report at the prison
gate and they were all on hand. The
witnesses, led by Warden Durston, filed
out into the basement, and moment
later they found themselves in the death
chamber
Warden Durston then left the room
with two attendants TO warn Tice his
end was approaching fast and TO bring
him TO the place where he should die.
Soon the warden reappeared with tha
condemned man between two keepers
and behind him walking the clergymen
who have attended him. Owing 10 a
spinal trouble contracted in the late
war, Tice walked with cane. He was
perfectly calm as he took his seat Ia
the chair OF death-more SO than the
attendants who were with nervous haste
strapping him fast TO the chair and ad-
justing the apparatus OF death.
Here, take my cane, guard"
said Tice as his right arm was
seized by the guards who were about to
bind 1t fast TO the arm OF the chair.
"Oh you will break my nose," cried the
condemned man. Those were Tice's
last words. He was complaining be-
cause the broad leather straps over the
face were too tight. Chaplain Yates
and Pastor Penney drew near and all
officially engaged took places for their
duties 1t was just 6:39e,p a second
when DR.. Daniel raised his right arm as
a signal 10 Electrician Davis. The lat
ter pressed down lever and instantly
the body OF Tice leaped and tugged at
the straps. This lasted fifteen seconds.
Then the contact was broken FOR q
space Of three seconds when the cur
rent was turned on for another fifteen
seconds. Once more the body pulled
al its fastenings and again II settled
back when the circuit was
broken. For third time q
contact was made, this time
lasting 10 seconds. Then there was
rest of - seconds. The fourth and last
contact lasted 10 seconds. The total
time Of contact was 80 seconds, and the
total time OF execution 63 seconds.
At the request OF DR.. Daniels. Drs.
Baler aud Divine examined the body.
They said there was no pulsaton what
ever. Tice was dead.
The other physicians also examined
the body little later on invitation Of
DR.. Daniels. All agreed that Tice bad
passed into eternity the instant the first
contact was made. Electrician Davis
said that the Indicator showed 1,720
volts on the first contact with
a very slight falling OF when
the three other circuits were made. An
examination OF the body showed no
marks or burns upon II. DR.. Daniels
announced that the autopsy would be
held az 10 o'clock. Warden Durston
said that the execution was thoroughly
successful. Electrician Davis affirmed
likewise. Further than that they bad
nothing to say. at speaks for itself"
said DR.. Daniels. at could not have
been better That Is all / have TO say"
Chaplain Yates and Pastor PenDOyer
were with Tlce half an hour before the
execution took place. He told them %
say that he did not sleep well last night
and that his spine bad pained him con-
slderably. ale was very brave" said
Chaplain Yates. "Iie fulfilled his prom
ise to Mr.. Pennoyer that be would die
like a man and Christian. HIS last
words to me were. III did not drink
that whiskey. Put that in big type"
added Mr.. Peneor with tears In bis
eyes. Then be said "bnt for that very
thing he was as good a. a man as any
witness ln this room"
Joseph L. Tice, was born IN Albany.
June ., 1929. OF his early life little Is
known. The first learned Of the mur-
derer was just previous TO the war, when
be deserted his family 10 Michigan. On
the breaking out OF the war, Tice en-
listed ia the Fifth Michigan cavalry.
His war record is good and be was nop
orably discharged. After the war
went 70 work ia Rochester. About
years ago be married Mrs. Agnes J.
gelt, in that city. He claimed 70 h.
been divorced from bis first wife. Hal
Iy had the honeymoon passed befoi
Tice went on q protraeted debauch. A
last, after one OF many brawls, Tice at
tempted TO stab his wife and she leit
him and was giyene place as a. do
nestle at the boarding house. Tice
completed q thirty days sentences &
int0xicstIon on July 4, 1921 sT'
ne announced his intentIor'"
his wife and shsrpened his
deed. Going 70 the house,
edly appeared before his
bed her three times. ST.
half an hour. Tice va
and found guilty OF mt
egree Several ate
20 induce the Govs
the case, but he sal
law must take its
InE
WASHINGTON, D
ginia and D1f
south 8 'es. ber
Fri