The herald., 1893-05-09
CARLYLE HARRIS ELECTROCUlEO
The Young Wife POisOner Pays
His Debt to the Law.
He Retained His Nerve and Protested
His Innocence to the Last.
Nargs Crowds Attracted to the Vicinity
OF Sing Sing Prison by Morbid
Curiosity Tho Execution
Very successful.
Nv the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
SING SINa, N. Y, May 8.-Csrlyle
Harris, the young medical student
whose trial and conviction in New York
city for poisoning Helen Potts, to whom
he had been secretly married, attracted
80 much attention, was electrocuted in
the prison here today. Not since the
first execution by this method, when
four men -Socum, smiler, Jugive and
Wood--passed beneath the deadly cleo
trodes, has such interest been displayed
here. Throngs Of people gathered on
the hillside overlooking the gray prison
walls. though the only thing which they
could hope to see in connection with the
execution was the display OF black Tag
above the tower after ne had officially
been pronounced dead. This morbid
curiosity was partly accounted Tor by
the fact that he was the irst man OF any
Intelligence to die in the electric chair:
partly to the wide publicity given to the
case in the newspapers, and partly to
the question Of the mans guilt. Though
as to the last, the chief element Of doubt
lay in Harris steady assertion OF his in
nocence. Every possible effort was
made TO secure a reversal OF the Gem
tence, and that falling, TO induce GOV
ernor Flower to mitigate the punish
ment, but without avail.
Contrary to the usual custom, the
warden did not read the death warrant
to the condemned man at midnight, but
Harrie had been told when the execu
tion would take place. He retired early
last night. showing more evidence of ex-
citement than usual his heretofore
iron nerves giving evidence OF the strain
IN the unusual quantity OF cigarettes he
smoked. He slept little during the
night, rose early this morning and ate a
light breakfast at O'Clock.
Al o'clock the medical witnesses be-
gan to arrive, and half an hour later
fires were started under the boilers which
operate the engine which runs the
dynamo furnishing the deadly agent of
execution. HE mother and brother had
already taken final leave of him, but oc-
cupied room in the neighboring hotel,
from the window OF which the black flag
could be seen when hosted as q signal
that his spirit had taken its fight. The
vigil was sorrowful one, as with strain
ing eyes they looked away toward the
staff on which the somber emblem would
passed from earth.
The death warrant wes read at 8 80
O'Clock. The reading OF it had no vei-
BILE effect on the condemned man. Halt
an hour later the prison chaplain spent
an hour with him, then one of the med
ical examiners visited him end found
him showing some signs OF nervousness,
but nothing more. Harris did not ask
for morphine or any etimulant but
wanted couple OF oranges, which were
given him. He was shaved and had his
hair cut at l0:30 and put on 2 new suit
OF clothes.
At quarter past IL the Witnesses
were conducted to the execution cham.
her aud the death flag was placed in
position to hoist. geo
A test OF the apparatus had already
been made bv the electrician, showing
voltage OF 1900, and everything being
satisfactory Harris WIS placed in the
chair. The execution took place at
12 40.
The witnesses numbered 27, consist
ing Of seven physicians, 10 newspaper
men, 10 state officials and frienda OF the
warden. Arrived at the execution
chamber, the witnesses took seats in
semi-circle around the death chair, and
everything being in readiness the two
keepers brought Harris into the cham
Der, accompanied by the chaplain. He
looked pale as he entered the room,
paused an instant on the threshold and
calmly surveyed the assembled wit
nesses. One of the keepers indicated
the chair to him, and without even q
glance at the death-deahng machine, he
etepped forward and took the seat. Az
he did 80 he requested permission TO
speak. This was accorded him. He
said, speaking as if every word cost him
a great effort:
81 have no further reservation to
make. desire to say l am entirely in
nocent."
Then he settled back in the chair; the
electrodes were quickly attached, the
signal was given, the lever clicked
sharply, the form OF the condemned man
stitened till the straps creaked, while
1850 volts OF electricity passed through
his frame. At the end OF two second:
the current was reduced to 150 volts
which was continued 81 seconds longer
when Harris wac pronounced dead. Al
the current was fully shut off the body
dropped back limp. An examination
showed no signs Of life, and it wRs evi
dent death was instantaneous. The ex
ecution was most euccessful.
At 3 O'Clock Undertaken Kipp drov,
up to the prison. He procured tht
prison physician's certificate of the
cause of Harris'e death, and then drovl
into the prison grounds. In the wagol
was highly polished oak casket, whiol
was carried into the death chamber
where the body of Harris, dressed in
dark suit of prison-msde, goods, repose,
upon table. The body was placed il
the casket. The ukdertaker refused t.
disclose the plans for the disposition G
the body. A silver plate upon the cove
OF the-casket contained this inscription
CARLYLE W, HARMS,
Murdered May 8, 1898, aged % years, 2
months and IS days.
"We would not if we had known"
.s..s..ss......
There was very impressive scene 9
the Amber house, in the afternoon, whe
Mrs. Harris saw the reporters. Tn