Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-02
PAID WITH HIS LEE.
Tho Death Penalty Inflicted Upon Muir
dcrer Cotto at Sing Sing-Revolting q
Scenes Mt His Electrocutton.

Tho Death Penalty Inflicted Upon Muir.
dcrer Cotto at Sing sing-Revoiting
Scenes Mt His Electrocutton.
NEwYoRK, March 90. 9.--Jeremiah Cotto,
the murderer of Louis Frankeloso, was
electrocuted ut 10:45a a. m. Monday. Four
shocks were given. After the first
three there were apparent signs of life.
Each shock was for twelve seconds.
The scene was most revolving and the
execution is described as the most hor-
rible yet
Cotto spent most of the time in
prayer, and seemed to derive much
comfort from the words of Father De
Saints, who spent the night with him.
The witnesses and ten reporters
entered the death chamber at 1896
Cotto was brought in between two
priests, Revs. Father Milo and De San
tis of Brooklyn. Warden Brown
walked in front of Cotto. Cotto
was repeating the prayers in
Italian after Father De San
tbs. Cotto was very weak and appeared
to be ready to collapse. He was quick
ly placed in the chair and was strapped
down by two keepers. The two priests
got down on their knees and continued
TO pray, Cotto repeating the prayer
after them.
The electrode was applied to the
right leg. When the straps had been
adjusted Warden Brown gave the sig
nal, the switch bar was thrown and
the current shot through the form
in the chair. The priests were
still praying in loud voice,
but the straps across Cotto's
face partly bound his lips and
he could only humble the responses.
The sound of his voice was cut off
sharply as the current passed through
him and his body strained at the straps.
His face flushed purple and froth came
from his lips The current was turned
off in thirty-two seconds.
Cotto slowly opened his eyes and
looked at Father Milo with what
seemed reproachful expression. He
seemed protesting mutely against the
treatment he was receiving. His hands
moved ! and there was no doubt
in the, minds of the witnesses
that he was not only alive, but con-
scious. The signal was given again
by Warden Brown and once more the
body stiffened up and strained
at the straps. The current was
kept on about twelve seconds,
when it was turned off second time
and Cotto's body settled down in the
chair limp and at first apparently life
less. The doctors stepped forward to
listen to the heart and feel the pulse,
but before they reached the body the
fingers moved and Warden Brown
again gave the signal.
For the third time the current shot
through the body, and the rigidity of
muscles and the straining at the straps
was repeated. When the current was
turned off this time DIR. Irving applied
the stethoscope to the heart
and DIR. Albeit, who had been
keeping the official time, felt the pulse.
They shook their heads and stepped
back The fingers began to move again
and there was plenty of evidence that
Cotto was still alive.
For the fourth time the warden gave
the signal and for the fourth time the
current was turned on. 1t was not
turned off until the face of the mar
had turned purplish black and the
exposed part of the right leg was OF
the same color. This time the current
completed its work, for when it was
turned off the physicians found nc
signs of life.
Dr. Irving, in answer to a question
of the reporter as to the indications o
life after the third shock, said: "Yes
there were faint indications of life whel
listened at the mans heart and fel
of his pulse"
[The murder for which Cotto died was com
mitted last July in the outskirts of Brooklyn
Cotto and his victim, Louis Frankelosc
were rag pickers, Cotto had been loy
er OF Mrs. Frankeloso in Naples, Italy
and after she and her husband emigrate
to this country she sent Cotto none
, to follow her He deserted n wife and family I
join his paramour here. He lived with tn
Franxeosos in a tumbled-down tenement /
Brooklyn and he and Mrs. Frankeoso di.
( cussed the question of putting Frankelos
| out of the way that they migt
, maintain their relations without III
husbands interference. One Friday nigh
Franleloso started out to steal vegetables frol
, the neighboring farms, and was stealthily 70
? lowed by Cotto Upon lonely roadside Cott
came upon his victim, and with savage fur
stabbed him no less than fourteen times Fral
keloso was left dying in the road.