The record-union., 1895-07-02

SING SING, July 1.-Dr. Robert Bu-
chanan, the WIFE poisoner, was executed
by electricity at 1l:2O to-day.
When Buchanan awoke this morning,
after few hours of troubled sleep, he
realized for the first time that the day OF
his doom had arrived.
Several times in his remarkable fight
Tor life he had been as near the hour set
for his execution as he was last night,
but always some act of Executive Glenn
encS or some new legal maneuver inter-
vened TO grant him q new respite. Last
night no such good news reached him,
but he knew before he retired that his
fate was still in doubt.
The Sheriff to-day received telegram
from the Attorney-General saying tina I
proceedings would not operate as stay.
The Warden was at his desk soon after
O'clock this morning and issued the usual
orders in regard to the details of the ex-
eculiOn.
Dr. buchanan did not retire until 2
O'Clock this morning, and did not re-
move his clothes then. He seemed re-
treshed when ne awoke at $50 this morn
ing.
at 7:3O he called for bowl of milk,
which has usually constituted his break
fast. He saw no one but his guards until
an hour later, when Warden Sage entered
with the condemned mans spiritual ad-
wiser.
The Warden informed Buchanan of the
tenor OF the eAttorney-GeneraPs dispatch
and notified him that in accordance with
the opinion OF the law department it
would be necessary to carry out the sem
tence of the court.
Buchanan had apparently prepared his
mind for the news and expressed no sur
prise.
Warden Sage told him of the efforts
that Mrs. Buchanan was making to Sc
cure reprleve or communication of the
sentence from Governor Morton.
Shortly aiterward the Warden received
the following message from Mrs. Bu-
chanan:
"RHINEoLIFF, n. Y, July l, 1895.
TO Warden Sage, Sing Sang, N. ":
All pleadings are in vain. The Governor
cannot possibly interfere.
''ANNIE BUCHANAN"
The witnesses entered the cell at 11:13
and the current was turned on at 11:2l at
l, 140 volts for four seconds. 1t was re-
duced and then turned on to 1,740 volts
again, and then gradually reduced until
turned OFF. fifty-eight seconds after being
first applied.
When the current was switched off the
Warden and two guards appeared at the
door with DR.. Buchanan. He walked in
without word and took his seat. In
about thirty seconds he was strapped and
in forty seconds pronounced dead.
His leg was slightly scorched and
smoked during the last second of the ex-
ecution. His body WAS perfectly motion
less after the current was turned on.
Thirty-two seconds after the current
was turned off Buchanan was examined
by the physicians. who discovered q
slight pulsatiOn of the heart. The victim
also gasped and the doctors declared that
life was not extinct. The current was
again turned on 1ull force and held for
twenty-three seconds.
After the current was turned off O Sec
ond time the victim was pronounced dead,
and as soon as this occurred the body was
turned over to the physicians.
The post-mortem examination was be-
gun at l1:3O o'clock. All the physicians
present took part in the autopsy. The
only outward indications of the effect
of the current were the heightened color
of the face and the burning of the leg.
The autopsy disclosed the usual
changes in the condition OF the brain and
arterial system, but In less marked de-
gree than in other cases of death by
electricity. The arteries were nearly
empty, while the brain contained free
blood in considerable quantities. AS far
as the general examination of the body
was concerned, 1t showed that all the
organs were in normal condition, with
the exception of the left lung, which was
badly affected. The most remarkable
feature was the size of the brain, which
weighed but 3l4 ounces, or less than
threo-iourths the average.
1t was the quickest and most successful
execution ever seen at the prison.