The record-union., 1892-02-09
Special to the REcoRD-UNTox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIox.
SING SING On. ", Feb. 8.-Charles
McIlvaine, the murderer of the grocery
man, Luca, was killed by electricity in
prison at 1l:l2 this morning. The
Warden read the death warrant to the
condemned man at midnight. When the
Warden left McIlvaine he gave him to
understand his hours were numbered
and advised him to try and get all the
sleep he could. The murderer seemed
quiet and did not seem to be visibly af-
fected by the reading of the death war
rant.
Father Creedon arrived at the prison at
O'Clock and proceeded at once to Nell
vaine's cell. After prayer the condemned
man partook of light breakfast. He ap-
peared to be in good spirits and did not
show any sign of weakening. The con-
demned man came into the chamber with
priests, himself carrying before him the
crucifix, and murmuring prayers. The
chair used had never before been en-
ployed. On each side at the arms was a
jar into which the hands We're immersed
III a solution of salt. The arms were
strapped at the elbow and the wrists and
the contact on the head made at the fore
head. The electrodes, as in previous
cases, were present for use on the leg in
case of failure or mishap at the other
points of contact. The first contact at
1l:l5 O'Clock was made through the hands
and head and lasted forty-five seconds.
the second was through the head and calf
OF the right leg. A few seconds after the
current was cut off of the first contact
troth issued from the mouth, and almost
simultaneously there was a quick, gurg-
ling sound. and as quick recovery, like
person strangling. The current was at
once reapplied and continued for forty
five seconds, when the doctors examined
the subject and declared him dead.
They all, with one exception, believe
that life and consciousness We're de-
stroyed at the same instant. AS COM
pared with the kemmler execution, that
OF McIIvalne was much less distressing.
THE EXECUTION.
Led by Warden Brown, the witnesses
walked to the execution chamber. They
were all medical men. Reporters from
the leading press associations and news
papers were also present.
Stools were arranged about the room,
in the middle of which stood the new
execution chair. 1t involved in its con-
struction a new feature, provision for
the application Of the current through
both hands. The new chair was fash
ioned in its general outlines after the
chairs previously used. 1t involves a
change at the arms, however. They are
high at the back and tit closely under the
armpits of the subject, slanting down.
ward to the front. A distinctiyely new
feature was the provision of deep glass
cells securely fastened that the hands
may be immersed in the water which
fills the jars. The water was q solution
Of chloride of sodium. One of the cells
received the current from beneath, the
other from above. The usual coil con-
Quoting the wire for the electrode for the
head dangled from above. Stout, broad
straps were placed for fastening the
wrists in the cells and other bands held
the elbows tightly. When everything
was in readiness, at11:05, Warden Brown,
addressing his visitors, warned them
that no gratuitous advice or suggestions
would be tolerated from any save those
in charge officially.
Bring Mcllvaine in," said Warden
Brown, turning to Keeper Connaughten
and the deputy who stood near the door
opening into the cell corridor. There
was Uramping of feet heard in the corri-
dor, the door was pushed open and the
officers and prisoner appeared between
them. The condemned man, McIlvaine.
was pallid, and his hands, which held the
crucitiX before him, tremb bled and shook.
side as he entered the room, the officers
giving way to the priests. "Oh, Jesus.
help me-" he murmured with suppressed
emotion. and then, as the control of his
nerves slackened, he almost shouted
rOh, God, am sorry that have offended
Thee. Oh, Christ have mercy"
Meantime, he had been lowered into
the CHAIR. Ghe head was pressed back
against the leaden neck rest, the electrode
quickly clapped upon the forehead and
the clamp on the rubber tube loosened so
the water flowed down into the electrode
sponge, and while this was being done.
an officer on each side had strapped the
wrists and elbows, while others yet We're
strapping the legs at the ankles, and an
electrode was bound upon the calf OF the
right leg, from which one of the trousers
legs was already ripped. One had been
stripped away. 'Jesus, spare me! Mer-
ciful God, help me! - muttered the pris-
oner as the broad leather mask was
bound across his face, concealing all feat
ures, save the nose and mouth
Il am heartily sorry, oh God, that
have offended Thee," came once more the
mutfied voice of the condemned man.
and then almost in shout, Letter 90, .;
the condemned man had given the word
Tor his own taking OIL.
AS he spoke the bidding for his own
deathstroke, Professor Laudy lowered a
small lever. There was a quick, con-
vulsive jump of the subject. There was
slight sound of straining straps as the
muscles tIghtened and tugged in the te-
tanic impulse which followed the applica-
ton of the terrific current. There was
no movement In any part of the entire
frame.
''Close J" commanded DIR. Macdonald.
and the small lever at the switchboard
was pushed back TO its place. The cur
rent was cut off at ll:I2:49 A. NJ. y power
OF 1000 volts, electro-motive force, had
been busy for forty-nine seconds. DR..
Ward reached down into the cell on the
right side of the chair and was feeling for
the pulSe-beatS, when from the liyid liDS
OF The subject there showed an exudation
of sputum, and almost at the same in
slant there came from the throat brok en-
eXhalation Of air from the lungs. Then
came shorter gasp, which was cut in the
gargle by the reapplication of the cur
rent. Quickly there came to the ears of
those nearest the chair the sound of a
gentle hiss, and steam simultaneously
curled up from the electrode on the calf
of the barred leg.
stop" again ordered DR.. Macdonald,
and the lever again cut Oft the current
from the subject. DIR. Ward again adj
vanced to test the wrists for the probable
pulse beats. There were none. The
mask of the face was released to show
the action, if any, of the blood ia the Jug
ular vein. DIR. Ward retired, DIR. Mac
donald tested both at the wrist and the
neck and then other physicians did like
wise, but there came no move or tremor
of action anywhere. The tense figure
gradually y relaxe from the terrible strain
under which the man labored at the mo-
ment the bolt entered his frame. The
neck relaxed, the head slipped down and
the entire frame sank down q senseless
dead substance.
a lf.J7.11 hn donlaTp6 6paH
THE AUTOPSY.
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