Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-11

G., W. IiAUliis, The doomed man
was wonderfully composed to the very
last.
with his very last breath ilnrris
calmly exclaimed: ~ am absolutely in
uoccnt'
Harris was up early und looked over
the manuscript To he given to the press
10y his relatives after the elcctroci,iOn.
At o'clock he ate light breakfast
At 500 Warden Dur,ton and Mrs. Ours
ton arrived from the hotel where they
had brcakfastcd. but Mrs. Durston was
left.
At $3.50 o'clock n column of black
smoke curled up from tall chimney Of
the northern end OF the prison, show
ing that the engines which operate the
| lynamo had been started preparatory
Ia the official test by State Electrician
Davis.
| There were twenty Witnesses
seven physicians, ten newspaper men
and the others were state officials aud
friends of the warden.
At 1916 p. M, when Warden Durston
announced that everything was in read
mess and invited the witnesses down
stairs they were taken 10 one Of the
offices and counted. Then all went
,olcmnly TO the kitchen under the
wurdcn's house and out byn temporary
passageway built Of pine boards to
screen all from the outside public
to the outer door Of the death chnm-
her. This the witnesses entered and
seated themselves ON wooden stools
arranged in half circle at the
west end Of the room and
facing the chair. There they found
Electrician Davis at the switchboard,
while spiral wire suspended from u
bent iron rod danglcd from above the
chair and another cpilrd at the foot Of
the chair Rubber bags filled with wa
ter and suspended overhead with tubes
reaching to sponge In the electrodes
added 10 the formidable appearance Of
the outfit While the witnesses were
seating themselves, Electrician Davis
attached the wires 20 the battery Of
lamps and turned ON 100 volts lie
finished testing the apparatus nj 1880
and announced that all was ready,
Connaughton and two guards then
went for Harris. lie was awaiting the
hnal summons in his cell with him
was Chaplain Wills lilo was ready in
a moment and the procession was quick
" formed. Screens had been placed in
front Of the other cells so that the men
who will soon meet Harris fate did
not see him a. he went out with sIe
chaplain.
The doomed man walked entirely
alone just behind COnnauRhton and
wavered for II moment, more from not
knowing which way he was expected
to go than from weakness. Connaugh-
ton pointed 10 the chair and without
even n look Of curiosity at the thing
which was 10 end his career he dropped
into the seat. As he did 40 he began 10
talk in It low voice, saying; ~ have a
word TO say II the warden will permit
me- lie paused and then repeated;
eli have the wardcn's consent
Warden Durston stepped over TO the
chair and said: what did you wish 10
say2'
Harris then in weak voice, rs though
each word cost him an effort, said: II
have no further observation 10 make.
desire 10 say / am absolutely limo
cent"
Those were the doomed mans last
words. After uttering them he seemed
relieved and settled back in the chair,
10 which his legs and arms had already
been strapped.
State Detective jackson attached the
olectrode 10 Harris's right leg, which
was barred 30 the knee, slit In the
trousers having been made in advance.
Eaton placed the helmet containing the
other clectrode on the head. Electri'
clan Davis attached the wires 20 the
two electrodes. All this work was
done quicker than the telling Of H. and
then the guards stepped back
Davis who had gone 30 the switch,
board, said; IAN ready" There wa,
an instant Of pause while every man
in the room held his breath.
Then DR., Daniels raised his hand, O
sharp click from the leverand the form
in tho chair Strengthened up till tho
straps crealSed. 1t was just l2:IOif by
the stop watch held by Dr. Merritt A
current OF l.7O0 volts passed through
the body Of Carlyle Harris. EXamina
ton followed and It was found the con
vIot was depd.