Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-07-06
Death ENDS THEORDEAL
Dr.. Buchanan at Last Pays the
Penalty Of His Crime.
PATHETIC APPEAL FOR oLEMENCY.
Mrs. buchanan Falls on Her Knees ct
Governor Morton's Feet aud Prayn for
Her Husbands Life = The Governer
Deeply AEsctsd-

Governor Morton's Feet aud Prayn for
Her Husbands Life = The Governor
Deeply AEsctsd-
SING STSe. July s.-with two electric
contacts, consuming not over minute.
DR.. Buchanan was put to death In Slug
Sing prison yesterday Like all others
who have preceded him, he went t. death
calmly, and did not say a word In tho
death chamber The only appearance OF
fright or weakness was the fact that he
closed his eyes when he entered, and did
not open them again Two contacts were
made, but all the physicians and electric
ians claim that the second contact was
merely precautionary and that the victim
died instantly. There were no burns and
no unpleasans features, and every physi-
clan present declared the execution sue
cess. The body has been claimed by
I friends, and the case will go down into
history as cause cclehre
Warden Sage's action n proceeding
with the electrocation was the result Of
telegram from the attorney general TO the
effect that the warden would not be In the
wrong II he carried out the sentence IN
tho case OF DIR. Buchanan. The indefinite
languagein which the opinion was couchcd
and the refusal Of the attorney general TO
advise the execution. but only to say that
he would not advise Its delay, did not OK
actly please the warden, whohad expected
thatwhen he acted 1t would be under the
advice Of the states legal advisor But
after consideration and consultation an
order was Issued TO proceed with the exc
cution
Warden Sage said; II am not pleased
~
because 10 is not made final Instruction
for me to proceed; bat, AS It says that
am not justified in delaying the execution,
J shall go on with the affair"
The most pathetic feature of the execu-
tlon was the vain appeal OF the condemned
mans wife for executive clemcncy. She
went to Rhinccliff Sunday night, and
stopped at the village hotel. Arising
shortly after o'clock she was driven to
Eilerslie where she was admitted to the
governors mansion. Mr.. Morton was IN
bed, but on being informed Of Mrs. Buch.
anan's presence in the house he arose, and
before 6 o'clock met her In his library.
Tho woman sank on her knees before the
governor and pleaded for her husbands
life, though her grief almost prevented
her from speaking. Governor Morton was
plainly overcome by the woman's plead
ing, and tears stood In his eyes as he lifted
her TO her feet and told her that he could
not grant her request
Tho Highest courts have confirmed your
husbands conviction, and have no right
to interfere IL was my sympathy foryou
that led me TO give him reprieve," said
the governor.
Then the governor asked Mrs. Blu
ehanan many questions about herself ex-
pressed sympathy for her and told her that
II she ever needed assistance to call upon
him and he would gladly help her.
After drinking cup Of coffee which tho
governor handed her, Mrs buchanan loft
Eilcrslie and took the o'clock train for
Sing Sing During tho execution Mrs.
Buchanan was In the wardcn's house, hav-
ing come there after the witnesses were
summoned TO the death chamber. She
was extremely ncrvous,sand whom told OF
the death OF her husband broke down and
wcpt freely. She was takcn care OF by
Mira Sage.
Mrs. buchanan Is In destitute cireum-
stances, her expenses to Rhinecliff having
been betrayed by Warden Sage.
The presidency with which buchanan
chung TO life marked his cuse TO the end.
Since the death Of the wife whom hc muir.
uSEcu GU April Not icf<r III oIutI 70 to
marry the wife whom he had previously
divorced. his ease has been marked by UNI
certain les which have made 1t famous.
lie at frst seemed likely 30 escape sus-
picion, and was not arrested until June
6, following the womnn's death. His trial
was delayed until March 20, 1899, and
during It's early stages his acquitted ap-
peared probable. When he was convicted,
April 60. 1898, motion for now trial
was made, and the questions presented to-
the court were such that decision was
not rendered until Aug u following.
when he was sentenced 10 die Oct g 1893
On Aug. 10. 1898, hc was brought here,
and has been here uninterrnptediy Since
with the exception OF two days when ho
was taken away TO BIO rescntencod--o
to New York and once 10 Albany. His
case has been twice before the court Of Rp-
pcals Of the state, once before the United
States supreme court, and any number Of
delays and unusual legal proceedings have
marked It's course through the lower state
and federal courts.
Invitations TO his execution were sent
out four times by Warden Sage, but la
the first three instances. on one ground or
| another, a respite WINS secured and the In.
Fiction Of the death penalty was post.
poned, and finally after every means Of
staying tho execution was exhausted, II
required two application OF tho deadly
current to overcome the tenaeity with
which the man chung TO life.