The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-09


the last tho chief element of doubt lay in
Harris' steady assertion OF his innocence.
Every possible effort was made to secure a
| reversal of his sentence, and shat failing to
induoe Gov. Flower to mitigate the punish
| ment, but without avail.
| Contrary TO the usual custom, the warden
did not read tho death warrant to the con-
dsmnsd man at midnight. but Harris had
| been told when the execution would take
place. He retired early last night, showing
| moro evidences OF excitement than usual
his heretofore iron nerves giving evidence
of the strain by the unusual quantity of
cigarettes which he smoked. He slept little
| during the night rose early this morning
and looked over the manus cript he had pre-
pared TO be given to the press after his
death. He seemed cooler this morning
aud ate q 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 oper-
ate the engine which runs the dynamos
furnishing the deadly agent of the execu-
tion. His mother and brother had already
taken final leave of him, but occupied a
dow of which the black flag could be seen
when hoisted as signal that his spirit had
taken its flight. The vigil was q sorrowful
one. % with straining eyes they looked
away toward the stan on which the sombre
emblem would float when the condemned
/
nesses were conducted to the execution
chamber, aud the death flag was placed in
position TO hoist.
The death warrant was read at $3.50. It's
reading had no visible effect on the con-
demnsd man. Half An hour later the prison
chaplain spent an hour with him. Then
| one of the medical examiners visited him
and found him showing some signs of un-
easinsss, but nothing more. Harris did not
ask for morphine or other stimulant. but
wanted q couple Of oranges. which were
given him. He was shaved and had his hair
cut at 1890 and pus on o new suit of
clothes.
| A test Of the apparatus had already been
made by the electrician. showing a voltage
of l, zoo. and everything was satisfactory.
Harris was placed In the chair and the OK Il.
scution took place at 12:4O. The witnesses
Numbered tWenty-seven, consisting OF seven
physicians, ten newspaper men. ton state
| officials and friends Of the warden. They
arrived in the execution chamber and the
witnesses took seats In s0mi- CIRCLE around
the death chair, and everything being in
readiness two keepers brought Harris into
the chamber accompanied by the chaplain.
He looked pale az he entered 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 II glance of curiosity
at tho death dealing machine. he stepped
forward and took his sent. AZ he did so he
requested permission to speak. This was
every word cost him great effort
II have no further reservation to make.
| I desire to sAv that i am absolutely inno-
osnt."
Then he settled back in The chair and the
electrodes were quickly attached. The
sharply. The form of the condemned man
stiffsnsd till the straps oresked while !, 760
volts passed through his frame. Az the
end of two seconds the current was reduced 4
| to 100 volts. which was continued fifty y-four
seconds longer, when Harris was pronounced
dead. As the oarrent was fully shut OF the
| body dropped back limp. An examination
showed no signs Of life and ID was evident
| that death was instantaneous. The exc
oution was most sucoessful.
| Al three O'Clock Undertaken kipp drove
up up 10 tho prison. He procured the
prison physioian's certificate OF the cause
| OF Harris death, and then drove into the
prison e. Qrounds. In the wagon was highly
polished oak oasket. which was carried into
| the death chamber where the body of Har-
| ris. dressed In dark suit OF prison made
goods. rspossd upon table. The body was
placed In ths casket. The undertaken re-
| fused 10 disclose the plans for the disposi-
,ion OF the body. The silver plate upon
tho cover Of The oaskst contained this In
| scripticn:
Carlyle w. Harris Murdered May s,
| 1893. Aged 23 years. Z months. Is days.
We would not il We had known"
Catlyls w. Harris was born At Glen Falls,
New York, September 8. 1859. Az 10 hs EN-
tered the College of PhJsioians aud Surg
cons, the medical annex OF The Columbia
college In New York city. He proved u
bright student and made . bfilliant record
In college. His collegiate career Was GU,
short by his arrest for the murder of his
/ vutf l. -. a. 4
suddenly al the boarding school she was At.
lteudinR. Their marriage had haan kapj