The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-02-11
DIED INSTANTLY.
Charles McIlvaine, the Murderer,
Suffers Death by Electro
cutiOn.
He Takes His Seat in the Execu-
ton Chair, Shrieking Pray
ers for Mercy.

SING SING, N. Y, Feb. 9-Charles Nell
vaine, who murdered Groceryman Luca in
Brooklyn two years ago, was electrocuted
here to-day.
The amendment to the electrocution law
having been signed by the governor, repre-
sentatives OF various papers and the press
associations were present, and, as the re-
port of the execution shows the sensational
reports of previous executions by electricity
were un oundea.
Two contacts were made. but the doctors
present are Of the opinion that the second
contact was unnecessary, McIivaine's death
being instantaneous when the current was
trst applied There were slight bIisters
where the electrodes came in contact with
the flesh, but the flesh was not cooked.
Stools were ranged about the room, in the
Z middle Of which stood an execution chair
which all who had seen Reminders death
and the subsequent cleo rocutions at Sing
Sing, recognized as new. 1t involved in its
construction q new teature-that Of provis-
Avn AOA VI CuiIcuG through DOl IN
hands as had been some time ago suggested
by Thomas Edison.
The time was lI:O5 when Warden Brown,
addressing his visitors, warned them col
lectively, that no gratuitous advice or sug-
gestions would be tolerated rom any save
those in charge officially. Bring Nc
Twain in said Warden Brown, turning to
Keeper Connaughton and a deputy who
stood near the door opening into the cor
ridor that leads to the cells for the con-
demned. The time was l1:0S.
The door was pushed open and the Of
tcers with the prisoner entered the room.
The condemned man was palid and his
hands tremb!ed and shook "Oh Jesus
help me-, he murmurcd with emotion,
and then, as the control Of his nerves
slackened, he most shouted his
PRAYERS FOR MERCY
Meantime he had been lowered into the
chair. The head was pressed back .ainst
the leaden neck rest, an electrode was
clappad upon the forehead and the clamp
on the rubber tube was loosened so that the
water flowed down into the electrode sponge.
And while this was being done an officer
on each side strapped the wrists and elbows,
while others yet were strapping the legs at
the ankles and an electroue was bound upon
the cal! of the right leg, from which the
trousers leg, already ripped open, had been
stripped away. Jesus. spare me-; merciful
God, help me-" muttered the prisoner, as
the broad leather mask was bound across
his face, concealing all his features save the
nose aid mouth. II am heartily sorry, oh
God, that I have offended thee" came
once more in The muttled voice of the con-
demned man, and then, almost in shout,
Let 'er go!' the condemned had given the
word for his own taking off,
AS he spoke the bidding for his own death
ctrokc, Pro. Laudv lowered Il small lever
at the switch board on which were fastened
the glowing testin, lamps which showed
the vicious current was flowing at l, 900
volts. There was quick, convulsive lump
ofthe subject. There was slight sound of
st-aininS straps as the muscles frightened
and turged in the Titanic impulse which
followed the application Of the terrific cur:
rent
There was no movement in any part of
the entire frame. Close" commanded
DR.. Macdonald, and the small lever at the
switch board was pushed back to its place.
The current was cut off at 1:12:49 a. IN.
The power O: 1900 volts of electro motive
force had been busy forty-nine seconds.
Dr. Ward reached down into the cell on
the right side of the chair aud was feeling
tor pulse beats, when from the livid lips of
the subject there showed all emulation of
mucous sputun, and almost at the same
instant there came from the throat broken
exhalatlon of air from the lungs which had
thus expelled the last inhalation of air
taken IN at the last moment as the con-
demned neryed himself for the death stroke
linen came a shorter gasp, which was cut
SNORT IN Gurg!e by the reapplication OF the
current, which at the moment was flo wing
at l, 800 volts and 10 amperes.
WITHOUT BURNING THE FLESH.
Quickly there came to the ears of those
nearest the chair the sound OF I. gentle hiss.
Steam simultaneously started up from the
eiectrode on the calf of the bard leg. That
IS only steam from thesaturated electrode. "
SAID Dr. Macdonald, and his opinion was
supported by the TACT that at tue M oment
there was no smell of burning flesh; though
lew moments later and alter all was over
here hung in the air suggestion of smoke
from burning flesh. probably the result OF
blistering under the heated water in the
eectrode
Stop" again ordered Dr. Macdon al d.
and the lever again cut off the current
from the subject. DR.. Ward again ad-
vance1 to test the wrists for probable pulse
beats. There were none. The mask on
the face was relea.ed so that the action. il
any, OF the blood in the jugular vein mi ght
be shown. DIR. Ward retired. DR.. Macd on
aid tested both at the wrist and neck, and
then other physicians did likewise.
'HE IS DEAD"
spoke DR.. Ward. "No doubt Of it." de.
clared Dr. Macdonald, and til en- he bade
each professional man test for heart beats,
adding that he desired each to be assured be-
yond peradventure that life was extinct.
Each did So without aid ofinstrument. un.
til 1T came the turn Of DR.. Robertson OF New
York. He produced stethoscope and
placed tie rubber bell above the heart,
listening intently for any evidences Of life
lie found none. but he declared that he
thought any method of contact that in
volyed second application of the current
as ''brutal.' "