The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-09
SING SINGS AWFUL CHAIR,
Harris Denies His Guilt as He Goes
TO His Death.

Reporters of Her Belief in Her Sons
Innocence.
Sing Sing, May 8.-The flag was raised
on the prison at 2:43 o'clock this after
noon showing that Carlyle w. Harris had
been electrocuted. He retired early last
night and, though he showed no signs of
breaking down, he was more nervous and
excited than usual He did not sleep
much His sclf-control was marvellous
He was lp early this morning and looked
over the manuscript which he had pre-
pared to be given to the press by his rela-
lives after the final scene of his dramatic
life had ended AT o'clock Harris ate a
light breakfast Mrs. Harris having
made the final visit to her son Saturday
remained at the Amber house.
Her youngest son, Allan, was
with her. The flag announcing the sue
cessful conclusion of the execution could
be seen from the windows Of the room oc-
cupied by MS. Harris, and there she
watched and waited with straining eyes
and subducd grief for the fatal signal
The death warrant was formally read to
Harris at $40 o'clock. He displayed in
difference and its reading did not notice
ably affect him. He showed no signs of
breaking down and appeared cheerful
after the reading of the death warrant.
At TIL o'clock the witnesses assembled
in the warden Office There were twenty
seven, seven physicians and twenty news
paper men, the state officials and the
friends of the warden Warden DurstOn
at i2:l5 o'clock announced that every
thing was ready, aud invited the wit
nesses downstairs. 1t was 1870 o'clock
when the witnesses entered the execution
chamber
HARRIS LAST WORDS.
Harris was brought in looking pale. He
paused an instant on the threshold and
looked over the aSSembled witnesses. He
walked entirely alone and when guard
pointed to the chair, without even look
of curiosity at the thing which was to end
his career he dropped into the seat. As
he did so he had a word to say if the
warden would permit The warden asked
what he wished to say. Harris in weak
voice, as though each word cost him
powerful effort, said II have no further
reservation to make. ] desire to say that
] am absolutely innocent" These were
his last words. After uttering
them he seemed relieved and settled back
in the chair to which his legs had already
been strapped by two guards. State De
tective jackson attached the eleGtrode to
Harris right leg, which was barred to the
knee, a slit in the trousers having
been made in advance. The helmet
containing the other electrode was placed
on his head and the wires were attached
to the two electrodes. There was an in
stant's pause, while every man in the
room held his breath A sharp click
from the lever and the form in the chair
straightened up till the straps creaked.
1t was Just u :40JTo'clOCk and the current
of go volts passed through the body of
Carlyle w. Harris.
DEATH INSTANTANEOUS.
-.
to $50 volts, and in 55$4 seconds it was
Shut off entirely. All the physicians
present expressed themselves as satisfied
that death was instantaneous. Witnesses
who had seen other electrocutions agreed
that this was the most successful one yet.
There was no sign of steaming at the
points Of contact, and aside from the
purpllsh tinge appearing on the skim
there was no change in the appearance Of
the body. As the witnesses passed out of
Jue building, one Of the newspaper
men tainted and was carried out
Dy friends. He recovered in
lew minutes. The witnesses were escorted
TO the Warden's Office when all was over
and each one signed the official statement
required by law. DrS. Irvine and Daniels
conducted the autopsy, which was begun
Ten minutes after the electrOcution was
over. Inc autopsy was completed at
was well nourished and healthy. There
We're signs of slight burning on the inside
can OF the right leg, but none on the tenn
ple. DIR. Daniels said the electrocUtion
was the most success full of the seven
winch he has witnessed. Harris died
without pain, said the doctor, land l do
not see how his execution could have been
Dettered from humane standpoint"
IN HIS COFFIN.
The prison with a highly polished oak
GS,ashet, in which Harris body was placed
Inc undertaken refused to disclose the
plans for the disposition of the body, A
SILVER plate upon the casket contained
Uhls inscription; Carlyle w. Harris
murdered May 8, 1888; aged % years Z
months 15 days. We would not if we
mad known.-The jury"
THE BROKEN MOTHER.
There was very impressive scene at
I4e Amber house in the afternoon, when
Mrs harris saw the reporters. II was
lew minutes after 3 o'clock. This re-
bic woman had endured not only
Lue grief Of a mother losing her frst-bOrn,
puJ had suffered the agony Of having
4cf son, whom she believed innocent,
branded as murderer, and killed by the
sldJe' and yet she stood there calm and
passive waiting for q score Of newspaper
Ith 10 enter. Then facing them with
qry eyes and a firm voice She said 1T
mas been said that Carlyle Harris was
guilty because he shed no tears when
iHelen died. | shed no tears now and God
Knows l love Carl Harris"
'JUDICIALLY MURDERED"
My boy was innocent. You men who
saw him die know that he went to the
CHalr an innocent man. With his last
words he declared his innocence, and yet
ne mas been killed. He has been judicially
murdered His last statement was to
nave been given to me as soon as he was
uead, and have not received it yet. do
not think | shall ever see it. at least not
as my boy wrote it. 1t was my boys last
"lsh that it be given out to-day, but am
poWerless to carry it out"
A STATEMENT FOR THE PUBLIC.
Mrs. Harris then gave out the follow
ing statement for publications II feel
lHdt many friends who have tried to get
Justice done to my dear boy ought to know
VI ms last hours, of Gods great merry 70
Iue and how he sustained us both ! did
Hot sec my dear boy after he was taken TO
HIhg Sing till Friday 1t was his wish
SHdU should not see him there; con-
ecIous of his innocence and that we had
PROOF of Helcn's being addicted TO the
use OF morphine, Carl hoped / need never
SD e. MN in the death chamber. But God
a-oWcd 10 otherwise. and though an innO-