The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-09
TN THE DEATH CHAIR.
Murderer McIlvainc Executed
at Sing Sing.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS.
The Wretch shrieked to God for Mercy
When He Saw the Maehine-His
End Was Painless.

srre srre, Feb s.-charles McIlvsine, muir
derer OF Groceryman Luca, was electrocutsd at
HEP O'Clock this morning.
The warden read the death warrant to tho
condemned man at midnight Hheh the
warden left McIlvailie, he gave him 10 under
stand that his hours were numbered, ana al
yised him TO get all the sleep he could. The
murderer seemed quiet and did not seem to DO
yisibly affected by the reading OF the death
warrant Father Creedon arrived at the prison
at O'Clock, and proceeded at once 10 Nell
wines cell. After prayer the condemned man
partook of q light breakfast He appeared TO DO
In good spirits. and did not show any signs OF
weakening Led by Warden Brown the wit
ncsscs walked TO the execution chamber. They
were all medical men. Reporters from the lead
ing press associations and newspapers we also
present.
stools were ranged about the room, in the
aisle OF which stood the new execution chair.
IT involved in its construction a new feature
which ia a provision for the application OF the
current through both hands. Tho new chair is
fashioned in its general outlines after the chairs
preriously in use IL involves n change mt the
arms, however They are high at the back and
fit closely under the armpits, the subject slant
iug downward TO the 'front.' The disttnctiveiy
new feature was the provision OF deep glass
cells, securely fastened 50 that tho hands may
be Immersed in the water which ILLS the jars.
The water solution was OF chloride OF sodium.
One cell received the current FROM beneath aud
the other from above. The usual coil conduct
ing the wire for tho electrode for the head
danged from above. Stout broad straps had
been placed for fastening the wrists in the cells,
and other bands held the elbows tightly. When
everything was IN readiness at ii 10 a. m, War
den Brown, addressing his visitors, warned
them that no gratituitous advice or suggestions
would be tolerated from any save those IN
charge officially.
"BrIng McIlyaine," said Warden Brown,
turning to Keeper connaughton and his deputy,
who stood near the door opening INTO the cell
corridor. There was tramping of feet heard in
tho corridor, the door was pushed open and
the officers and the prisoner appeared. The
condemned was paltid, and his hands,
which held the crueifx before him, treInbled
and shook. Fathers Creedon and Smith were
at his side as he entered the room, the officers
giving way to the priests. 40 Jesus, help me-
he murmured, with suppressed emotion, and
then, as the control of his nerves slaekened, he
almost shouted: 40 God, am sorry that
have offended Thee. Christ, have mercy"
In tho meantime be had been lowered into the
chair, his hcnd pressed back against the leaden
neck rest, the electrode quickly elapped upon
his forehead, and the clamp on tho 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 the wrists
and elbows, while others ye. were Swapping tho
legs at the ankles, and the electrode bound upon
the calf of the right leg, from which the trou-
sers' leg had already been ripped and
stripped away. .'Jesus, spare me! Marciiul
God, help mel" muttered the prisoner as the
broad leather mask was bound across his face,
concealng all the features save the nose and
mouth. The time was il:l2 a. IN. al am heart,
lily sorry, o God, that have offended Theelf'
came once more In a mufied voice from the con-
denned man, and then. almost in a shout: "Let
her gop' the condemned man had given the
word for his own taking of.
As he spoke the bidding for his own death
stroke, Professor I.audy lowered a small lever.
There was quick, eongulsiye jump OF the sub
jcct and slight strain on the straps MS tho
muscles frightened anu tngged in the impulse
which followed the application OF the terrific
current "Close," commanded Dr. Mcdonald,
and the small lever at the switch board was
pushed back TO its place, and the current was
cut off, Tho power OF 1000 volts OF electro
motive force had been busy forty nine seconds.
DIR. Ward reached down into tho cell on the
right aide OF the chair and was feeling for the
bulse beat when. from the liyid lips OF the sub
joct, there showed an emulation of sputum,
and almost at the same instant there came
from the throat the broken cxhslaton Of air
from tho lungs. Then came u shorter gasp,
which was cut short in gurgle by the reappl-
cation OF the current. Quickly there came TO
the ears of those nearest the chair the sound OF
u gentle MSS, steam simultaneously rose from
the electrodc on the bare leg. "Stop, again
ordered DIR. Mcdonald, and the lever again cut
off the current from the subject. Dir. Ward
again advanced to test the wrist for probable
pulse beats. There was none. The mask on
the face released to ascertain IL there was
any action OF blood IN the jugular vein. DR..
Ward retired. Dr. Mcdonald felt OF the subject.
both ut the wrist and neck, and then the
other physicians did likewise, but there came no
more OF the tremor of ASTON anywhere. The
tense figure gradually relaxed from the terrible
strain under which the man had labored at nle
moment the bolt entered his frame. The neck
relaxed, the head slipped down and the entire
frame sank down in senselCss dead substance.
~ ii;i7 a. IN. he was declared dead
The autopsy disclosed 10 IL. Mcdonald no
evidence OF imheeility or insanity. as claimed
might be the ease when MeIlvsine was ON trial.
The doctors oil agree that Meilvaine suffered
absolutely no pain.
Asscmblyman Stein, whose persisten. Efforts
resulted last week in having representatives Of
the press admitted 10 eleCtrocutiuns was one of
thc Interested witnesses today. In an interview
Immediately after, aud while still laborng
under excitement. he pronounced the execution
amost cruel and unnatural one and said he
would Use sill his influence 10 have the law for
execution by electricity repealed Immediately.
He said II was disgrace TO n civilized state.
NEW YORK. Feb, She body OF Charles Nc
siriwife OF the dead man aud his mother II
was much burned at the wrists. over the right
temple was fearful burn, and the inside OF the
less was seogohed by the liie-taking current
tt'harles Mcilvaiae was convicted October IS.
leSa OF numbering Christian ". Luca in the lat.
ters residences at the corner ol Jay and High
streets, brooklyn. on the aighi oi August -
rtenleus, The murder was committed while
Meiivainc aud two companions were COMMIT
uag burglary. The defense was INSANITY aud
TOOK Toe Jury thirty hours TO agree Mc!Viue
was sentenced 70 death, and the case was ear
fteo 10 Tie court oi appeals, watch granted ltn
snew trial. on the ground that certain evidence
oSaring On the question o. his sanity had hCca
Improperly excluded at tha ttial. lie was tried
secpnd uG,e in September. "a and again con.
Nioted, tut the jury hled Wlsh theig verdict a
recommendation 20 mcr y. He had several
etays ei pro'cedtuss, aud scyersl wccks ago a
strenuous Effort was made Tor executive elena
eney, but IL failed
nrunkard Murders His wife.
CHICAGO, Feb s. Andrew Anderson, ev-lore-
man of u butterine factory, fatally shot his
wi'e THIS afternoon and then, to escape arrest,