The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-09
Another Murderer Executed by Elec-
tricity at Sing Sing Prison,
New York.
New Devices Employed in the
Construction of tho Chair
~ of Death.
Newspaper Men Allowed to Isc presen.
This sTlme-Murderer McIlvaine, Who
Killed y Groceryman.

the murderer of Groceryman Luca. was
electrOcuted at l1:12 this morning. The
warden read the death warrant to the con-
demned man at midnight. When the
warden left McIlvaine he gave him to un-
derstand that his hou rs were numbered and
advised him to get all the sleep he could.
The murderer seemed quiet and did not
seem to be visibly affected by the reading
of the death warrant. Father Creedon ar
rived at the prison at eight O'clock and
proceeded at once to McIlvaine's cell.
After prayer the condemned man partook
of light breakfast. He appeared to be in
good spirits and did not show any signs of
weakening. Led by Warden Brown the
witnesses walked to the execution chamber.
They were all medical men. Reporters
from the leading press associations and
newspapers we're also present. Stools
were ranged about the room, in the middle
of which stood the new execution chair. 1t
involved in its construction the new fea-
ture of provision for the application of
the current through both hands. The new
chair was fashioned, in its general outlines,
after the chairs previously in use. It in
wolves change at the arms, however. They
are high at the lack and fit closely under
the armpts of the subject, slanting down
ward to the front. A distinctively new fea-
ture was the provision of a deep glass cell
securely fastened SO that the hands may be
immersed in the water which fills the Jars.
The water contained a solution of chloride
of sodium. One of the cells received the
current from beneath, the other fr ON
above. The usual coil of conducting wire
for the electrode for the head dangled from
above. Stout, broad straps were placed for
crn kIn1 TO iy fhn 1lc 1okh khao
bands held the elbows tight.
When everything was in readiness at
11:O5 Warden Brown, addressing his visit
ors warned them that no gratuitous advice
or suggestions would be tolerated from any
save those in cnarge officially. Bring
McIlvaine in" said Warden Brown. turn
ing to the keeper. Connaughten, and the
deputy who stood near the door opening
into the cell corridor. There was a tramp
ing Of feet heard in the corridor, the door
was pushed open and the officers appeared.
Between them was the condemned man.
McIlvaine was pallid and his hands, which
held cruci6x before him, trenbled and
shook. Fathers Creedon and Smith were
at his side as he entered the room, the Off
GERS giving way to the priests. "Oh, Jesus
help me-" he murmured with suppressed
emotion, and then. as control Of his nerves
slackened, he almost shouted, sOh, God, I
am sorry that ! have 80 offended thee; oh,
been lowered into the chair and his head
pressed back against the leaden neck-rest.
The electrode was quickly clapped upon
his forehead and the clamp ON the rubber
tube loosened SO that water flowed down
into the electrode sponge, and while this
was being done an officer on each side had
strapped his wrists and elbows, while 9TH
ers yet were strapping his legs at the
ankles, and the electrode band upon the
calf of the right leg, from which the trous-
ers leg was already ripped and stripped
away.
Jesus, spare me; merciful God. help me.''
muttered tha prisoner as the broad leather
mask was bound across his face concealing
all features save the nose and mouth. The
time 11:l2 a. N.
II am heartily sorry, oh God that have
offended thee," came once more in a
mui1iled voice from the condemned man.
and then almost in II shout, let 'er CO."
The condemned man had given the word
for his own taking off. AS he spoke. bid
ding for his own do tn stroke, Prof. Laudy
lowered a small lever. There was quick
convulsive jump of the subject, there was
Il sligh. sound of straining stpAps us his
muscles tightened and tugged in the tetnnic
impulse which followed the application of
the terrific current. there was no move
"Close." commanded DR.. Mcdonald, and
Che small lever at the switch board was
pushed back to it's place. The current was
cut off. The power of 1,600 volts electo-
motive fore, had been busy forty
nine seconds Dr.. Ward reached down
into the cell on the right side of the char,
and was feeling for pulse beats. when from
the livid lips of the subject there showed
an emulation of sputum and also at the
same instant there came from the throat a
broken exhalation Of air from the lungs.
Then came shorter gasp, which was cut
short in the gnrgle by the reapplcation of
the current. Quickly there came to the
of Il gentle hiss. Steam simultaneously
cleared up from the electrode on the bare
leg. STOP again ordered DIR. Mcdonald,
and the lever again cut off the current from
the subject.
DR.. Ward again advanced to test the
wrists for probable pulse beats. There were
none. The mask on the face was released
and DR.. Ward retired. DR.. Mcdonald
tested both at the wrist and neck, and then
other physicians did likewise, but there
came DO more of tremor, of action any
where. The tense figure gradually relaxed
from it's terrible strain under which the
man labored at the moment the bolt en-
tered his frame. The neck relaxed the
head slipped down and the entire frame
sank down an inert, senseless, dead sub
stance. At 1l:l7 he was declared dead.
Tae autopsy disclosed to DIR. Mcdonald
no evidence of imbecility or insanity, as
claimed might be the case when MoIlynine
was on trial. The doctors all agree that
McIlvaine suffered absolutely no pain.
Assemblyman Stein, whose persistent
efforts resulted last week in having repre-
sentatives of the press admitted to the
electrocution, was one of the Interested wit
nesses to-day. In an interview imme-
dintelv after. and while still laborine
under excitement, he pronounced the exc
cution most cruel and unnatural one, and
said he would use all his influence to have
the law for execution by electricity
repealed immediately. lie said it was II
diauraca To "a ciYilized state.