The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-09

SINu SlNoI Ns 4'I way o'-bIlkHI
spring sunshine did not Tighten the
gloom that hung over Sing Sing prison
this morning. Guards moved about
with quiet tread and voices were hushed
as ii within the presence OF death. The
air OF suEocation which one feels at a
funeral filed the place in spite OF the
clear atmosphere Of a perfect spring
day. At other electrocutions there has
been levity and Indifference about the
prison, but the dawn OF Carlyle Har-
ris' last day was observed by quiet duo
to the appreciation that he was no or
dinary culprit, but man whose crime
and whose death will DO historic.
Not since the first electrocution at
Sing Sing, when four men, SloCum,
Smiiers, Jugiro and " ood, were put to
death with the experimental apparatus
then in use, has there been such an in
terest displayed hero. Throngs OF peo.
pie gathered on the hillside overlooking
The gray walls OF the prison. They
could not hope to catch glimpse Of
Harris or sec the implement OF death,
but they gazed with morbid curiosity
at the building from which the doomed
man was not to emerge until soul and
body were parted. To-day the crowds
began assembling early, and they were
larger and OF more intelligent class OF
people than Is usually drawn to this
spot. Tho fact that Harris is Of cul-
tured class is appreciated: The electro
cutions which have preceded tho one
to-day were the going to death Of brutes
who had killed fellow beings and about
whose guilt there was no doubt, and in
whose case there was little to arouse
sympathy.
MARVELLOUS SELF CONTROL.
Contrary to the usual custom hore
tho death warrant was not read by the
warden at midnight, Tho doomed man
had been told, however, when the end
would come. lie retired early last
night, and though he showed no signs
OF breaking down he was more nervous
and excitable than usual. Principal
Keeper Connoughton said this morning
that Harris rested well. 1Io did not
sleep much, and what thoughts racked
his brain no ono will over know. His
self-control was marvellous. His only
sign OF agitation was the constant
smoking Of cigarettes, He was up early
this morning He looked over tho
manuscript which he had prepared to
be given out to the press by his rela.
tives after the final scene in his dra-
matte life had ended aud the curtain
had boon rung down.
At o'clock Harris ate light bronx.
fast. He was cool and collected and
appeared to be capable of going through
the ordeal which awaited him.
The first witnesses to arrive were DR..
Daniels, OF Buffalo, and Col. Il. A. Rock
we'll, who reached the prison together
at 0:20 O'clock. They were followed
shortly by DR.. G. S. Grant, OF Saratoga;
DR.. D. r. Kidd, OF Newburg; Dr. Payne,
Of Yonkers, and DIR. D. Z. Merritt, Of
Elmira.
At half past 0 o'clock column Of
black smoke curled up from tall
chimney Mt the northern ond OF the
prison enclosure. The engines which
operate tho dynamos had been started
preparatory to tho official test by State
Electrician Davis.
A MOTHERS TERRIBLE SUSPENSE.
Mrs. Harris having made hor last
farewell to her son on Saturday re.
mained ut tho Amber house shut in
from all visitors. Her youngest son
Allen was with her She was calm and
less nervous than usual and awaited
with fearful silence tho sign which
would inform her that hcr son Carlyle
had pissed out from this world. Tho
flag announcing tho successful conclu.
aion OF tho execution which was raised
from tho roof OF the wardons house
could bo seen from tho windows OF tho
room which Mrs. Harais occupied in
Amber house and there sho aud hOr
son Allen watched and waited with
strnlning oyos and aubduod grief for tho
fatal signal.
The Rev John @. S, Wells, tho prison
chaplain, won't Into Harris shortly after
0 o'clock this morning and remained
for an honr. Aitor he cumo out DR..
Irving went In, aud found Harris show.
ing some signs OF nervousness, but
otherwise all right. lle said aftor'
ward that Harris did not ask for NOR.
phino or any other stlmulauL His
only request was for two oranges.
They wefo sorvod to him. Harris was
shaved and had his hair cut ut l0:3O.
llU then put on Il new suit Of clothes
furnished by tho state,
Electrician Davis, accompanied by
tho warden and tho witnesses who Ind
arrived, proceeded to tho execution
room, whore the lnal tost Of tho death
dealing apparatus was mado ut II 40
o'clock. a board on which wore run
twenty.iOur lncandpscOnt lights was
placed across tho arms OF tho death