The Russellville Democrat., 1893-05-11
THE FATAL FLAG.
It Tells of Carlyle Harris Eltclrocution
 this Afternoon.
THE WIFE PolsoNER.
Ha Maintains His Air of Cool Self- Posses.
 sion Up to the Last Moment

] gathered on the hillside, overlooking the gray walls of the prison, and though they could not catch a glimpse of Harris or see the imple- ment of death they gazed with morbid curiosity at the build ing from which the doomed man was not to emerge until his soul and body had parted to-day. The crowds began assembling early, and they were larger and of more intelligent class of people than are usually drawn to this spot The fact that Harris is really the first mau with any pretensions to culture, re- finement and intelligence who has taken his place in the electric chair was appreciated. Public in terest in the cases of the thirteen men who met their fate at the touch of the mysterious agent applied by this state has been confined to the method of killing, as to whether it was quick and painless, or slow and tire some. Electrocutions which preceded the one to-day were the doing to Ndeath of Brutes, who killed fellow
 beings, and about whose guilt there was no doubt, and in whose case there was little to arouse sympathy. To. day for the first time was the man of a higher order of intelligence to undergo the ordeal. He was d man of education, accustomed to re6nements, good society, an educat ed medical student even, and capable of understanding to an unusual degree what was to happen to him. In addition to all this there was question of the mans guilt. Ae had been given fair and impartial trial, and twelve good men and true declared him guilty.
 The higher courts affirmed the judgment. Recorder Smythe, be- fore whom he was tried, passed up- on the arguments for a new trial, based upon alleged evidence newly discovered that Helen Potts was an habitual user of morphine, and the governor of the state had, through referee, reviewed the same testimony and decided against the convicted man. The accused was deprived of none of his legal rights. He had the ad- vantage of eminent counsel, and from the first to the last there was but one conclusion from a legal standpoint, that the man was guilty. On the other hand he has asserted his innocence and has borne himself as an innocent man would under such circumstances. His mother proclaimed his innocence with such effect that public sentiment in her sons behalf, was aroused to such an extent that nearly 10000 signatures petitioning the governor for clemency were ob. tained in a few days. Contrary to the usual custom the death warrant was not read by the warden at midnight. The doomed man had been told, however, when the end would come. He re- tired early last night, and, though he showed no signs of breaking down, he was more nervous and ex- citable than usual. Principal Keeper Connaughton said this morning that Harris rested well. He did not sleep much, and what thoughts -acked his brain no one will ever know. Ais self control was marvel ous. The only sign of agitation was the constant smoking.of cigarettes. He was up early this morning. He looked over the manuscript which he had prepared to be given to the press by relatives after the final scene in his dramatic life was ended and the curtain had been rung down. At 8 o'clock Harris ate a light breakfast, he was cool and collected, and appeared be capable of going through the or deal which awaited him. Mrs. Harris having made fual farewell to her son Saturday remained at tho Amber House shut in from all wis itor3 with her youngest son, Allan. She was calm and less nervous than usual, and awaited with fearful si- lence the sign which was to inform her that Carlisle had passed out from this world. The flag announcing the sue ,essful conclu sion of tEe execution, which, raised from the roof of the warden $ house, could be seen from the windows of the room which Mrs. Harris occu- pied in tho Amber House, and there she and her son, Allan, watched and waited with straining eyes and sub dued grief for the fatal signal
 Rev. John $. WeiIls, tho prison chaplain, went in to see Harris shortly after 9 o'clock this morning and remained for an hour. After he came out Dr.. Irving went in and found Harris showing some signs of nervousness, but otherwise all right. He said afterward that Harris did not ask for morphine or any other stimulant. His only request was for two oranges They were served to him.
 Harris shaved and had his hair cut at 10:30. He then put on tho new suit of clothes furnished by the state. The warden invited tho witnesses