Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-02-19
EXECUTED BY ELECTRICITY.
Two Shocks Required to Kill
Murderer McEIyaine.
Experts Say Death Was Instan-
taneous and Painless.

glar, who murdered Grocer Christian W.
Lucca, of Brooklyn, n. Y, August %, 1889,
has been officially killed by electricity in
Sing Sing prison in the presence OF the
twenty witnesses provided for
by law. 1t was the first execu-
ton by this method which news
paper men were permitted TO attend.
Or the reporter witnesses four agreed that
the killing was more merciful than hanging.
The other four thought that it was brutal,
but not so bad as the killing Of kemm.er at
Auburn. Of the invited witnesses, Warden
F. j. Doyle, of Brooklyn, said that the means
of death was quick and merciful. Assembly
man Meyer J. Stein said:
II do not know whether death was instau-
taneous or not. only know it was horri-
ble and shall do all in my power to have
the law repealed. The sight was cruel and
unnatural, and it made me sick"
The condemned man, after partaking of
substantial breakfast, arrayed himself in
suit of black, prison made clothes, and en-
gagged in prayer with Father Creden. He
was calm. though showing none of the symp-
toms of bravado that characterized his life.
At IL o'clock Warden Brown led the wit
nesses to the death chamber, where all were
seated on stools in semi circle about the
chair. Behind it was the closet in which
the executioner was concealed. Prof. Laudy
took his place by the volt meter. On each
side of the chair were boxes filed with
solution of salt and water Two rubber
bags hung on either side Of it with small
pipes attached, and within them were con-
cealed wires from the switchboard by which
the current was to be conveyed to the sub
jects hands.
The Warden announced that the execu-
ton was about to take place, and then said:
'E. F. Davis and Professor Laudy will have
charge of the execution, and any witnesses
who take the initiative will be at once
elected from the room"
The prisoner was ordered to be brought.
He came behind two keepers supported by
Fathers Creden and Smyth. In his right
hand McElvaine held cruciix which he
occasionally kissed, while repeating responses
to prayers He went straight to the chair
and sank istlessly into it.
The right leg of his trousers had been
ripped up to the thigh and the pieces folded
up tightly about the thigh, leaving the leg
bare. Patent leather slippers covered his
feet. He wore suit of blue and black
satin necktie. His face was sallow. HIS eyes
twitched. He winked rapidly.
His legs were pinioned to the legs Of the
chair. One electrode was fastened tightly
took hold of the crucifix. The murderer
held it tightly, his voice becoming
lower and more tremulous. Jackson
seized the crucifix again. This time he
wrenched it from the fingers, plunged
the hand that had held it into the
W
The leather harness containing the head
electrode was clapped down over the head.
The murderer voice died. out. ''Oh
merciful Jesus, help me, spare me-"
prompted Father Smith. The murderer re
peated the words twice, his voice dying
again until it was inaudlble.
The last strap was buckled. The praying
lips had been stilled perhaps five seconds.
The silence was painful. The barred leg
could be seen to tremble. The guard was
Just stepping back from the chair. Suddenly
the murderer's lips parted again. In a voice
loud and unnatural, half Appearing, hall
bravado, plainly containing the last spark
of energy that was left, the murderer cried:
LET Ter gop'
The nervous strain had told. The man
had broken down completely. The sound Of
the voice. the nature of thu expression
after the prayers Of a moment before,
startled the little company. The word ''go"
had hardly left This lips when DR.. Nc
Donald signalled to Professor Laudy.
The lever the Professor held was
pulled down. Another lever inside the box
and which was operated by convict, fol-
lowed it. This let loose the current. There
was a half SILVER perceptible only to
the quickest eye. The body shot up an inch.
The leather harness creaked. The body stiff
fened. Then for a second there was not a
tremor The lips parted slowly. Water
came from the mouth and stained the leather.
1t looked like blood. The mouth remained
half open. The little skin Of the face thai
could be seen turned darker. The lips and
chin seemed set and stiff. Vapor and smoke
rose from each water box. To the wit
nesses it seemed ten minutes that the cur
rent held the body thus. 1t was really less
than a minute.
s'Close." said DR.. Mcdonald. Professor
Laudy pulled another lever. The body sank
back limp all but the arms They were
rigia. The lips closed slowly, as they had
opeled.
''AIl off, asked DR.. Ward.
''All off" answered Professor Lau1y.
DIR. Ward stepped quickly to the chair and
seized one wrist to find pulse. Then he
pushed his hand up under the harness to feel
the artery in the neck. DR.. Mcdonald took
wrist and then ran his hand up under DR..
Wards. Thirty-five seconds had gone since
the current was turned off, and there had not
been motion OF the body. One Of the wit
nesses whispered. 'He's dead-wonderful :"
He was cut short by a strange scund coming
from the mans throat a half moan, half
sigh, that sounded loud in the stiffness Of the
death house. Saliva seemed to be forced
from between the lips and then came another
half moan, half sigh. An exclamation was
on the tip of every mans tongue. The doc
tors stepped quickly back.
''Repeatn exclaimed DR.. Mcdonald.
''No, hold" said DR.. Ward, Selling rub
Der tube that hung from a bag of water
over the chair and pressing stop that let
down stream OF water into the leg and
head electrodes.
1t had been previously arranged that
should a second shock be necessary it should
be given by these electrodes instead Of those
on the side boxes through the hands. Eight
seconds only had e apSed from the time of the
first sign of life or whatever it was, when
again the body stiffened and shot upward,
the straps creaked, tbs flesh hardened, the
Inns remained tightly closed Smoke or