Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-08
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
CARLYLE Harris Electrocutcd.

the first electrocution at Sing Sing has
there been such an interest display
ed here. Throngs of people gathered
OH the hillside overlooking the walls of
the prison and the crowds were larger,
and of a more intelligent class of peo-
pie than is usually drawn to the spot.
Contrary to the usual custom here the
death warrant was not read by the
warden at midnight. The doomed man
had been told, however, when the end
would come. He retired early last
night, and though he showed no signs
of breaking down he was more nervous
and excitable than usual. His only
sign of agitation was the constant
smoking of cigarettes. He was up
early this morning looking over the
manuscript which he had prepared to
be given out to the press after the final
scene had ended. At o'clock Harris
ate light breakfast. He was cool and
collected and appeared to be capable of
going through the ordeal which await
ed him. AT half past nine o'clock a
column of black smoke curled up from
tall chimney of the prison. The en-
sines which operate the dynamo had
been started preparatory to the official
test. Mrs. Harris having made her
final farewell to her son on Saturday,
remained at the Amber house shut in
from all visitors. Her young son Allan
was with her. She seldom spoke to
her son but confined her whole atten-
ton in gazing toward the prison flag
pole the raising Of the flag on which
would announce the conclusion of the
execution. The death warrant was read
to Carlyle Harris at $50 o'clock but its
reading did not seem to affect him.
1t was 1890 when the witnesses en-
tered the room. While they seated
themselves Electrician Davis attached
the wires to the battery of lamps and
turned on 1,76O volts. He finished
testing the apparatus and announced
that all was ready. The guards then
went for Harris, who was waiting the
final summons in his cell. With him
was Chaplain Wells. Harris was ready
in moment and the little procession
was quickly formed. AS Harris step
ped into the room he paused an instant
and looked calmly over the assembled
witnesses, and without even a look Of
curiosity at the thing which was to end
his career, dropped in the seat. As he
did so he began to talk in low voice.
II would like" he said 'to say some
thing if l have the warden's consent"
Warden Duston stepped over to the
chair and said: What did you wish to
say?" Harris then in q weak voice as
though each word cost him g powerful
effort said: II have no further
reservation to make. desireto say
that I am absolutely innocent
These were his last words. After
uttering them he seemed relieved and
settled bacl, in the chair to which his
eggs and arms had already been strap
ped. The electrode was attached to
Harris's right leg which was barred to
the knee, slit in the trousers having
teen made for the purpose. The guard
placed the helmet containing the other
electrode on the head Electrician
Davis attached the wires to the two
electrodes, and the guards stepped
back. Davis, who had gone to the
switchboard, said GAIL ready" There
was an instant's pause while every
man in the room held his breath.
A sharp click from the lever and
the form in the chair straight
ened up till the straps creaked. TWAS
just forty minutes after twelve when
the current of 1,760 volts passed
through the body of Carlyle W. Harris.
In two seconds Davis threw the switch
back so that only $50 volts were on.
DR.. Daniels held his hand aloft as
though to indicate that the soul of the
man in the chair had passed upwards.
In just 553 seconds the current was
shut of, and the doctors stepped for
ward and examined the body, which
had settled back limp in the chair.
Life was extinct and it was plain that
death had come at the first touch Of the cur
rent. All the physicians present expressed
themselves as satisfied that death had been
instantaneous, and that this was the most
successful elcctrooution of the seven they had
witnessed There was no sign Of steaming at
the points of contact and there YVES no change
in the appearance Of the body. Mrs. Harris
viewed the raising of the black flag from the
window of her room at the boarding house.
When the ominous signal ioated on the
breeze she turned quietly away resigned and
calm, as she has been for the past few days.
a ctortJ;,,r Ctato OF e,;r,