Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-28
TAYLOR's EXECUTION,
Scene Described by the Spectators OF the
Horrible Affair.

Scene Described by the Spectators OF the
Horrible Affair.
Not since the electrocution of Kemmler,
three years ago, has any execution of the
death penalty caused such widespread SEN
sation as the double electrocution Of Will
liam G. Taylor in the death chamber Of
Auburn prison yesterday, described in yes
terday's Star.
When the witnesses had been liberated
after two hours enforced confinement they
began relating the narrowing scenes they
had observed, and soon the entire city was
discussing the failure Of the states execu-
TONER. The scene at the first attempt to
eiectrocute the victim was something in
describable.
into his body the rigidity OF the muscles
became SO great that the front supports to
the chair to which his legs were strapped
were torn from their fastenings and fell
upon the floor with an ominous clatter
But the powerful current still held the
body and the chair to which it was strap
ped in firm embrace
The spectators were not very much star
tied at this unlocked for occurrence
The victim sat motionless in the chair
not even twitching hand or foot. But when
the current was turned off the body sank
without its front legs tipped forward. the
body slipped perceptibly and II the stout
straps hao not held, 1t would have pitched
prone upon the floor.
There was a smothered "Oh" from the
sPectators out not man moved. Nobody
had as yet realized that anything particu-
larry horrible had taken place. as il was
taken for granted that the victim had died
at the nrst contact. But in a moment more
a shudder passed over the little throng.
troth and saliva had appeared a the mouth
OF the victim, which was left exposed by
the narrow leather mask. A strange noise
was then heard. 1t was repeated and was
recognized a a va on for hrao
he alive, was the awful thought that
oppressed every spectator. Spasmodic gasp
stertorous breathing. and some of the more
nervous spectators were afraid he would
soon come to iife
The warden ordered the electrician to
again turned, but no current came He
announced in low tone that a belt was
was a dilemma. The labored breathing of
the victim continued, and his chest rose
and fell convulsively. What was to be
done was the question that forced itself
home TO every spectator. 1t seemed as
though Taylor might revive at any moment
The body had assumed a reclining position
ii, the Snaar with the legs stretched well out
Mr.. Davis tried his lever again, but still
no response. Taylor was now breathing
regularly, but stertorously, and those who
did not know that he was unconscious ex-
pected to hear him cry out 1t seemed as
tell the engineer of the faiiura nf tbs Ana
mo would never return.
Warden Stout paced the floor visibly
nervous.
IN go myself and see what's the mat
ter" said Davis. and he FASTENED out to the
power house. Everybody remained quiet
and the painful stiffness was only brok en-
by the gasping of the victim. while the blood
from his mouth had now saturated the
strap across his chin.
Davis returned with the information that
the armature had been burned out. 1t
could be used no more that day. The spec
tators still wondered what was to be done
with the rapidly reviving victim.
Finally the straps were removed, a cot
was brought in and he was lifted upon 1t
and carried into the next room. He was
now grooming aloud, and moving his head
from side to side. His eyes were closed,
but his features were not distorted with
pain. The witnesses were instructed not
Taylor's pulse grew stronger and his
breathing seemed less labored. He might
Is yer, He He was even now attempting to
keepers to pinton his arms and legs.
DIR. Conway gave him hypOdermic in
lection of morphine to quiet his strusSles.
with sufficient time, and he replied: Most
assuredly'' The three physicians present
coincideo in the opinion that Taylor was
absolutely unconscious from the first con-
tact, and they did not think he had suffered
for a moment He was now in the same
condition precisely as man stricken with
apOpleXy. His symptoms were the same.
There was certainly no burning OF the
flesh. In fifteen minutes a small dose of
chloroform was administered. There was
only one way to carry out the sentence of
the law. and, inhuman as 1t seemed, the
unconscious form must be strapped into
the chair once more.
Linemen were already at work strin ging
wires from the Citys electric light plant
through the grated windows of the death
chamber. making connection with the
switchboard for the second attempt at Tay-
lor'S extinction. In one ,ur all was ready.
The limp form of Taylor was carried to
the death chair by three keepers. The
broken foot rest had been repaired. He
was held in position by the straps. and the
current was turned on. The body stifened
up, but not with half the force as upon the
first attempt. and for half q minute 1.24C
volts coursed through his system. The cur
rent was then turned off, the stethoscope
applied and he was off1cially pronounced
dead.
The first electrocution took place at l2:4s
and the second at IS. The autopsy at 3:3(
was conducted by Drs. Brown, Wright and
Mooney. The body was not marked, and
did not differ in appearance from any OF
the other victims of the chair who had sui
fered but a single electrocution. The ply
sicians' certificate stated that Taylor's mus
cular development was very marked. There
was an absence of rigor mortis. Brain
heart, lungs and kidneys were normal.
Upon being asked the question all the
physicians agreed that Taylor was insensi-
BILE to pain after the first contact.
niviliu1 the Cberokeo Strfu.