Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-05-09
ELECTROCUTED,
CARLYLE W. HARRIS, WIFE MUIR
oERER, SHOCKED TO DEATH.
They Put Silver Plate on His Coffin on
Which Was Murdered May 8, 1898.
Would We Had Known"

Sing Sing, n. Y, May SIT was a
peaceful, beautiful day. this Of Carlyle
Harris e1piation. Law fixed for in
hictiug penalty meant TO punish and pre-
vent murder and protect society from the
murderer aud with this fearful ven
geance but short breath away he pro-
claimed his innocence and the injustice
Of the laws judgment. He died with
courage deserving n better purpose.
Even when he entered the very shadow
of death and counted his earthly career
by pulse beats, he remained as mistaken
as the grim, grey walls that shut him
FROM life and liberty he loved 80 well
and longcd for to the last He sought
spiritual consolation during his last nights
on earth, but devoted his working hours
to writing last message TO his broken
hearted little mother, whose farewell
kiss was still fresh ON his lips. He
slept less than usual last night. but when
the first light of dawn crept over the
hill-tops to the east and kssedJnto cold
beauty the towers and walls of his prison
the condemned man was slumbering oil
his iron cot quielly and calmly as a
babe on its mothers breast. The guards
moved about with quiet tread their
voices We're hushed as IN the presence
of death An air Of sufl0cntion which
one feels at funeral filled the place.
At other electrOcutiOns there had been
Indifference about the prison, but the
dawn OF Carlyle Harris last day was
observed by quiet. due to the fact he
was no ordinary cilprit. but one whose
crime, trial aud death will be history.
Harris rested well last night, but did
not sleep much His self control was
marvellous; his only sign Of agitation
was his constant smoking OF cigarettes.
He was up early this morning and
looked over n manuscript he had pre-
pared to he given to the press by his
relatives after his end AT s O'Clock he
partook Of light breakfast
Mrs. Harris having made her final
farewell on Saturday, remained mt the
Amber hotel shut in from all visitors
with her youngest son, Allen, watching
| from the window the ilagstaff from
which would be nnfurled the dreadful
dag announcing the ignominious death
of her first born.
Harris did not ask for morphine or
any other stimulant this morning. his
| only request being for two oranges,
which were given him
frwenty-seyen witnesses, ten of them
newspaper men, were invited to the
death chamber At 1910 Head Keeper
! Connnughton and two guards then went
for Harris. He was awaiting hnal
summons IN his cell with Chaplain
| WE'LL The procession was quickly
4 formed Harris looked slight and pale
ns be stepped into the death room. He
naused an instant on the shreshold and
looked calmly over the assemblage, scru-
tiuizing their faces as his eyes swept
| the room.
lie walked alone behind Connaugllton
| and wavered for u moment, more from
not knowing which way he was expected
| 10 10, than weakness. cOnnaughton
noiuted to the chair, and without even q
| look Of curiosity at the thing which was
| 10 end his career, be dropped IN the
seat. As he did 30 he began 10 talk ia
/ a low voice to the chair, apd Connansh-
ton said 90,
What did you wish TO say
In a weak voice. as though each worn
eost him d powerful effort, Hnrfis said;
II have no further observation 20
make; ] desire'to say that am absolute
Those were his last words. Afi,r nj
te1ng them he seemed relieved and set
tleJ hack IN the chair 70 which his legs
a,d arms had already been strapped ~
Ration ana Ford, tho two guards
T1,e Erst contact vas then applied for
| 5s "a seconds. In two minutes Dr. ".
si,s euniied the steheecOFe to the heart
snsi nronounspd him dend The execn'
ton was complete success II Wa