Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-09
snocKEn 40 DEATH.
Account Of the Execution OF the MUIR
d.tcr rcfiNains.


SINu SING, Feb. S.-The warden
read the death warrant to the con-
dpmned man nj midnight. When tho
wnrien lcit Mcllvaing, he gave him
10 unuefstsud that his hours were
numbered and advised him
20 try b. get all the sleep
quiet and did not seem 10 DO
visibly affected by tho reading Of tho
death warrant. Father Creedon ar
rived at the prison at S O'Clock, and
proceeded at once 10 McIlvaine's cell.
After prayer the condemned man par
took OF light breakfast. He appeared
to be In good spirits and did not show
any signs OF weakening.
Led by Warden Brown, the Wit
nesses walked TO the execution cham
Ter. They were all medical men.
Reporters from leading press assocla-
tons and newspapers were present.
The stools were ranged about the room,
in the middle u which stood the new
execution chair. Ii involved In Its
construction a new feature, the pros
vision for the application Of the current
through both hands. The new chair
was fashioned In It's general outline
after the chairs previously In use. IL
involves change nj the arms, how.
ever. They are high nj the back and
NJ closely under the arm pits Of the
subject, slRntiug downward TO the
ifont. The distinctlvely now feature
was the provision OF n deep
glass cell, securely fastened that
he hands may he Immersed In
water which fills the ian. The water
was u solution OF chloride OF sodium.
One Of the cells received the current
from beneath; the other from above.
Tho usual coil OF conducting wire for
the eleclr1de for the head dangled from
above. Stout broad straps were placed
tor the fastening OF the wrists In the
cells and other bands held the elbows
tightly. When everything was In
readiness nj ll;O5, Warden Brown adj
dressing his visitors, warned them that
no gratuitous advice or suggestions
would be tolerated from any save those
In charge officially.
"Bring Mcllyane," said Warden
Brown turning 10 keeper COnnaughton
and the deputy who stood near tho
door opening Into the cell corridor.
There was n trsmplug Of feet heard In
the corridor, the door pushed open and
the officers and prisoner appeared be-
tween them. The condemned man,
Mcllvanc was pale anu his hand
which held the crucifix before
him tromhled and shook. Fa.
thers CIeedon and Smith were at
his side. AS he entered his room, the
Ulcers gave way TO tho priests. so
| Jesus, help mr,n he murmured with
suppressed emotion, AMI then as the
control OF his nerves slaCkened he
almost shouted $50 God, am
sorry that | have offended
| Thee, o Christ, have mercy!
In the meantime he had been lowered
| into the chair, the head pressed back
against the leAden neck.rrst. The
el,ctyode was qulckly clapped upon his
forehead sud the clamp on the rubber
| tube was looSeued 30 that wafer 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
strupping the legs ut the ankles,
and the electrode bound upon
the cult OF his right leg from
which the tr0user.leg was al
ready ripped eli. Jesus, spare me;
nlercilul God, help me-" muttered the
prisoner, IA the broad leather mese WIS
| bound across his face, u1n,olling all
bis features, save the nose aud mouth.
IL was now Hale a.m. 81 Em heartily
sorry, O God, that have offended
rhee,D came once more this muuled
voice Of tho condemned man, aud then
almost In "a shout, "Lel FER go"
The condemned man had given tho
word Tor his own taking Oh. As no
spoke, bidding for his own death
stroke, Prof Lpudy lowered the small
lever. There was u quick, convulsive
jump Of the subject; there was slight
sound Of tho strained straps Us tho
muscles frightened and tugged In the
titanic impulse which followed tho APP
plioation OF the terrific current. There