Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-05-18
PAYS THE PENALTY.
Successful Electrocution of Carlyle W. Harris
Convicted of Wife Murder.

SING SING, n. Y, May S.-Carlyle
w. Harris, the young medical student,
whose trial and conviction in New
York city for the poisoning OF Helen
Potts, to whom he had been secretly
married, attracted somuch attention,
was electrocuted In prison here to-day.
Contrary to the usual custom, the
warden did not read the death war
rant to the condemned man at mid
night, but Harris had been told when
the execution would take place. He
retired early last night, showing more
evidences OF excitement than usual,
his heretofore iron nerves giving evil
dence of the strain by the unusual
quantity yof cigarettes which he smoked.
He slept little during the night, rose
early this morning and looked over
the manuscript he had prepared to
be gwen to the press after his death.
He seemed cooler this morning and
ate light breakfast at eight O'Clock.
At nine o'clock the medical witnesses
began to arrive, and half an hour
later the fires were started under the
boilers which operated the engine
which runs the dynamos furnishing
the deadly agent OF the execution.
His mother and brother had already
taken final leave of him, but occupied
a room in a neighboring hotel, from
the window OF which the black flag
could be seen when hoisted as signal
that his spirit had taken its flight.
The vigil was a sorrowful one, as with
straining eyes they looked away
toward the staff on which the sombre
emblems would float when the con-
demned man passed from earth. At
1925 the witnesses were conducted to
the execution chamber, and the death
flag was placed in position to hoist.
The death warrant was read at $50.
Its reading had no visible effect on the
condemned man. Half an hour later
the prison chaplain spent an hour with
him. Then one of the medical exam
iners visited him and found him show
ing some signs OF uneasiness, but
nothing more. Harris did not ask
for morphine or other stimulant, but
wanted a couple of oranges, which
were given him. He was shaved and
had his hair cut at 1910 and put on
new suit OF clothes.
A test of the apparatus had al
ready been made by the electrician,
showing a voltage of 1, 700 and every
thing was satisfactory. Harris was
placed in the chair and the execution
took place at 12:4O- The witnesses
numbered twenty-seven, consisting of
seven physicians, ten newspaper men,
ten state officials and friends of the
warden. They arrived in the execu-
ton chamber and the witnesses took
seats in semi-circle around the death
chair, and everything being in readi-
ness two keepers brought Harris into
the chamber accompanied by the
chaplain. He looked pale as he en-
tered the room and paused an instant
on the threshold, and calmly surveyed
the assembled witnesses.
One of the keepers indicated a chair
to him, and without even "A glance OF
curiosity at the death dealing machine,
he stepped forward and took his seat.
As he did so he requested permission
to speak. This was accorded him.
He said, speaking as if every word
cost him a great effort:
Il have no further reservation to
make. desire to say that am alb
solutely innocent"
Then he settled back in the chair
and the electrodes were quickly at
tached. The signal was given and the
lever clicked sharply. The form of
the condemned man stiffened till the
straps creaked while L ,76Ovolts passed
through his frame. At the end of two
seconds the current was reduced to
l so volts, which was continued fifty
four seconds longer, when Harris was
pronounced dead. As the current was
fully shut off the body dropped back
limp. An examination showed no
signs OF life and it was evident that
death was instantaneous. The execu-
ton was most successful.
| At three O'Clock Undertaken Kipp
drove up to the prison. He procured
the prison physicians certificate oi
the cause of Harris death, and then
drove into the prison grounds. In the
wagon was highly polished OAK
casket, which was carried into the
death chamber where the body o.
Harris, dressed in a dark suit o.
prison-made goods, reposed upon g
table. The body was placed in the
casket. The undertaken refused tc
disclose the plans for disposition o
the body. The silver plate upon tn,
cover of the casket contained this in
scription:
8, 1898. Aged 23 years, months
15 days. We would not if we had
known"
Carlyle W. Harris was born at Gler
Falls, y. Y. September 3rd, 1869. Al
nineteen he entered the College ofPhy
sicians and Surgeons, the medical an
mex of the Columbia college il New
York city. He proved brilliant stu
/ ax,A 10 Ar1 ~
college. His collegiate career was cut
short by his arrest for the murder o
his wife, formerly Miss Helen Potts
who died suddenly at the boardin.
school she was attending. Their mar
riage had been kept secret and tn,
fact that she was Harris wife did moi
become known until after her death
, The suspicious circumstances at
tending her demise brought about al
investigation. A post-mortem wa
made and chemical analysis showet
large quantities of morphine in he
; stomach. Suspicion attached to Har
ris, who finally surrendered himsel
: into custody. He was tried in Janu
ary, 1892, and convicted of murder il
the first degree. The. evidence wa
purely cIrcumstantial, but the chail
was strong and stood the test OF tn
court OF appeals and a motion for
] new trial. After exhausting all lega
? resources, the friends OF Harris mad
: one last effort to induce Gov. Flowe
/. to commute his sentence. This tn
( governor refused after a careful stud,
} of all the evidence.
r There was a very impressive seen
e at the Amber house in the Afternoon
i when Mrs. Harris saw the reporters