The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-01
ELECTROCUTED.
DR.. Buchanan, the Wife Mur-
derer, Executed.
EFFORT TO STAY PROCEEDINGS.
The Penalty Was Paid This Morning
at 11:23 O'clock.
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION.
Brave Efforts of n Wife to Save Her
Doomed Husband.
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION.
Brave Efforts of n Wife to Save Her
Doomed Husband.

SING SING, July Lit was at a very
early hour this morning when messen-
ger arrived at the prison with the opinion
of the Attorney-General TO the effect that
the warden would not be In the wSong II
he carried out the sentence in the case OF
DIR. Buchanan. The indefinite language
in which the opinion was couched, and
the refusal of the Attorney General to adj
wise the execution, but only TO say that
be would not advise its delay, did not
exactly please the warden, who had ex-
pected that when he acted il would be
under the advice of the States legal
advisor to actually proceed but after
consideration and consultation he evil
IDENTIFY decided that it would be proper
for him to proceed, because an order was
issued to the prison guards and posted on
the bulletin board that at 10 O'Clock all
the prisoners working upon the building
adjoining the death house should be
locked up, as well as the men employed
on the roads.
Warden Sage said this morning early:
81 am not pleased with the opinion OF the
Attorney-General, because it Is not a
definite instruction for me to proceed;
but as II says that / am not justified in
delaying the matter j shall go on with
the execution"
The warden then displayed this telegram
in regard to the opinion as sent by The
Associated Press last night:
To Warden Sage, Sing Sing, n. VI do not
think that the last proceedings act as stay.
Have no further ADVICE to give
(Signed) L. L. HANCOCK.
Attorney General.
"I consider that the short telegram is
more definite and more satisfactory to me
than the opinion, and shall proceed under
the assumption that, as the proceedings
do not act as a stay, i am relieved from
all liability "
Leaden skies and lack Of sunlight
formed an appropriate background about
the old prison this morning for the
scenes to be eneacted during the last
hours upon earth Of DIR. Buchanan.
Through the lstticed window of the
death house there struggled but faint
ray of chilly gray light that was so weak
that it needed the electric light TO allow
the guards to watch the prisoner. As il
grew stronger it found its way into the
cell next to the death chamber, where
the condemned man was confined. Be-
tween him and the death chamber was
but a space of three feet, separated by a
heavy wood and iron door. From this
door TO the death chair Is five feet more,
and as Buchanan sat on the edge of the
iron cot in his shirt sleeves he could hear
the guards in the death house arranging
the room and electricians getting the wires
ready. This made him nervous and he
asked the guards whether they had heard
anything from the Attorney General As
the night guards were still on duty they
could give him no information, and so he
paced up and down the cell until after
$3.50 O'Clock, chewing n cigar and talk
ing 10 himself occasionally. His nervous
ness increased a. the minutes went by
until, at last, Warden Sage entered the
death house.
When Warden Sage entered the corridor,
Buchanan stepped to the front OF the cell
and grasping the iron bars with both
hands pressed his face TO the bars. The
warden said "Good morning, doctor, F"
but so nervous was Buchanan that he did
not answer, except by nod. IL have no
hope to offer, continued the warden,
"The Attorney-General has decided
against you, and unless the Governor in
terferes ! have to carry out the sentence.
For an instant his face blanched, and
then he put his cigar between his teeth
and settling back, he said: II thought
that would be the result. i Will seq Mrs.
Buchanan again eff she comes here, you
may" replied the warden and withdrew.
Buchanan sat down on the edge OF the
cot, and, refusing even the bowl OF milk
that usually forms his breakfast, buried
his face In his hands This was his only