The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-05-24
EXECUTED BY ELECTRICITY,
Carlyle w. Harris, the Wife Poisoner,
Dies in Sing Sing Prison.

Carlyle w. Harris, the Wife Poisoner
Dies in Sing Sing Prison.
Carlyle W. Harris, convicted In New York
City Of poisoning his girl wife, Mary Helen
Potts, has been executed in Sing Sing Prison.
At IL :4OH o'clock p. m, 176o volts Of cleo
tricity were GENT into his body. He died with
q declaration Of innocence upon his lips.
At II lis o'clock Warden Durston took hia
witnesses down into the prison, and, after q
delay OF 1fteen minutes. they went to the
execution room.
The witnesses took seats around the
death chair. Head Keeper Connaughton
went to Harrs's cell to tell him that his exc
eution was about to take place. Connsugh.
ton returned to the execution room for a few
minutes while Electrician Davis tested the
apparatus to see that II was all right.
Connaughton went out again, and at Il :3S
returned with Harris. The condemned man
was dressed In plain black, with no collar or
neckte. The right leg Of his trousers had
been cut OF at the knee, 30 that the electrode
could be applied there, and the hair had been
cut from the crown Of the head for the same
purpose.
Harris walked alone. he stood erect
Chaplain Wells was just behind him, read
Ing quietly the prayer Of commendation from
the Episcopal Prayer Book. The doomed
man looked strange without his beard, which
was shaved of when he was taken to the
prison. His face was set and resolute. His
eyes had the quizzical expression that was
peculiar to them.
he looked calmly at the witnesses and then
at the chair. Without tremor he walked to
the chair, and just as he was sitting down
said In voice that was strong and unshsken /:
~ wish to say word, and think have
the Warden's permission to say it."
He motioned to the Warden gracefully as
he spoke and bowed his head.
What is it yeu wish to say?" asked
Warden Durston.
~ have no further motive for any conceal
ment whatever" answered the man whom
life was to leave within few seconds. Then
he raised his head and ran his eyes along the
line OF Witnesses faces as he continued, II
desire to state that die absolutely innocent
OF the crime OF which have been con-
yicted."
That was all. He settled back in the chair
and himself adjusted his limbs for the straps
kerchtef was dropped, and the current
turned on. The body became rigid. In an
instant the lips parted and the air In the
lungs was discharged by the muscular con-
traction.
The current was kept on for four seconds
at 1760 volts. Then 1t was reduced at once to
$50 volts and continued that way for 5fA
seconds. It was then turned of entirely.
The doctors went to the chair, examined the
body with instruments, and at IL :43 o'clock
pronounced the man dead. He really died
the instant the current was turned on.
An autopsy was held on the body soon after.
The skin was not marked wherethe electrodes
bad been applied. Allthe organs were found
. to be In about normal condition except the
left lung, which was almost gone, and one
kidney, which was small and indicated dis
ease.
It was only four and one-half minutes from
the time that Harris was brought from his
cell TO the time that the current was turned
on, and good part Of this was consumed by
Harris himself with his declaration. There
was not a hitch anywhere. The witnesses
suffered much in anticipation Of the scene,
especially those who had not seen an execu-
ton by electricity, but with the exception OF
one man who tainted, they all withstood the
ordeal without breaking down.
When the little black flag was run up on
the pole OF the Warden's house announcing
that the execution had taken place, Mrs.
Harris and her son Allan could see it from
the window OF Ambler's boarding house.
where they were stopping.