New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-09
HIS DEATH WAS PAINLESS.
NICKNAME EXECUTED AT SING SING.
a SUGGESTION OF EDIsoN's TRIED WITHOUT
ENTIRE SUCCESS.

ENTIRE SUCCESS.
Electrical execution is a success. This fact was
again conclusivey proved at the loSal killing OF
Charles f. McEvaine nj sing Sing yesterday. Con
scousncss ceased the instant that the current touched
his body and animal Lie disappeared absolutely
within about minute thereafter. This was the first
execution under the amended law allowing news
paper men to lie present. and the death chamber
vcaled TO them at this execution OF the revolving
horrors which have been pictured by those who have
taken The word solely Of men opposed 10 this method
OF doing away with murdcrcrs. We're it not for the
natural nervousness of those unaCcuStomcd to death
there would have been nothing in the taking OIL OF
McElvane that would have caused any heart to beat
faster among all those who were present.
Besides again demonstrating that IN electric current
Of sufficient voltage will produce instantaneous
sciousness the taking Oh Of McEvaine has proved that
animal life quicker when the current is sent
through the body from the forehead to the knee than
when sent through the body from hard to hand. This
last method tired with McElvaine and IT was
eight seconds there was ndiStinct indication OF
muscular relaxation and animal life. The chair had
been arranged that lingering animal life which
might remain after the first current had been turned
of would be eXtinCuishcd by the application Of the
current in the former executions. When the second
current had been turned on for only thirty eight
seconds there not the slightest sign of life.
There has been difference Of opinion among cleo
rical experts 10 which would be the best method
Of securing instantaneous unconsciousneSs well a.
the quickest possible animal death Edison and other
experts have urged the adoption OF system by which
the current would follow the arteries of the to the
heart and cause immediate cessation of its work,
besides changing quickly the chemical form OF the
blood. The tal yesterday showed that the method
followed in the executions preceding this
one produced the most satisfactory results, in
n,much as in them consciousness and animal
life did not appear after the first
attack of the current.
McElvanc WAS told bv Warden Brown ut o'clock
yesterday morning that he would be put to death
after IL O'Clock in tine forenoon. 1t was les than
half minute Of IL II O'Clock when he came into the
death chamber almost on run. repeating after the
priests. who attended him, words of appeal 10 God.
IT took less than minute for the guards TO secure
him firmly. DR.. Mcdonald. who was in charge of the
execution, gave the signal TO turn on the current.
The signal was the dropping of handkerchief The
handkerchief started for the floor. but il had not Gov
cred Onehalf of the distance before McEvaine's body
became rigid, and the stldpS which Ecid his arms,
legs and body creaked loudly. When ffy-eight sec
onds had passed the current was turned of. There
was a low e1lrgling sound in the throat and the lips
parted slightly 20 quickly had the current per
formed its work, that the air in the lungs had been
held there by the compressed lips. and when
The current turned off it naturally
forced its way out By The quick turning
The current Professor Iaudy instantly sent second
current through the body. The current was Kept on
for thirty Cht seconds and then turned on fOr
good one by one the physicians present trico 10
discover if life remained, but no trace OF HE was
found The first current averaged 1000 volts and the
second 800 volts.
The autopsy showed that the brain was in per1ectN
healthy condition. This upholds the opinion OF the
doctors who decided time ago that McElValnes
insanity was pure shammng. The hearts action was
cut off in the midst Of pulsaon. one nan Oh II
was rigid and contained blood which 1t was IN Tie
art Of forcing out when the shock came. There was
little bllsterins Of the skin.
Among those in the death room We're Dr.. Florence
Donohue Of syracuse DR.. HasbrOuck, Of Port EVEN
Mver ! stein Of Work; DR.. Herbert +. Williams,
NJ RIO klyn: Warden p. j. Doyle. Of brooklyn; Dr.
I Marriu Of Poughkeepse: DR.. r. ;. Robertson, OF
Newer: Dr. II. II. IRVINE OF the sing sing Prison
Adrian Kissam of NcwDure, and Di. LeOhafu oaAoI'
OF syracuse. .,, ,,snoD+ tr,,p
The chair which used was totally dinereht irom
4ba chair, which served in the previous eAecutIohs
~ & birh backed and solid, aud the arms run up ]ust
hirh enough to IT under the arm OF the CilIinlI'
hoy which was partly Oiled with salt water Into ne
water McElvaines hands dropped Just aDoVe tie
elscfrOde and there were securely fastened ADM
the chair va, the old through which came ule
Cent that entered the head through the ir0hla ponc
All the doctors present with the exception vi H. IT,
roi,srfs on and Dr. Marr agreed that dehth wa III
,sD,aneoDs These two ply Sicans had no hesitancN'
however in declaring that the criminal iei, 10 PAM
ard that there was instantaneous uheoi'clousH'ss'