The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1896-12-04
Dead i'm an Instant.
Horse ElectrOcuted In the Ohio Pen
itcntiary.

final test of the electrocution ap'
paratus was made at the peniten'
tiary this afternoon in the presence
of the Board of Managers and a
number of state officials, as well as
a large number Of invited specta-
tors. The crowd present to witness
the passing of the horse to "horse
kingdom" was estimated at about
900. This was the test that had
been decided upon by the board OF
managers rs the one which would
settle the question as to whether
or not the Ft. Wayne (rnd.) ma
chine would be purchased.
The test was a perfect success
from start to finish, and the result
was that the machinery has been
purchased. Last Wednesday a
preliminary test of the apparatus
was made, when large bulldog
was strapped in chair, the elect
rodes applied, the current turned
on and the dog instantly killed. II
was decided to try the killing
powers of the machinery on an old
mule this afternoon, but owing to
the long service OF the animal in
the employ Of the state it was de-
cided at the last moment to SUBJ
stltute a horse.
Steward Eli West was instructed
to purchase an animal for the test,
and after a search lasting for more
than four days the steward
turned up at the institution with
the most forlorn, dilapidated speci-
men of horse flesh ever brought in
from the hills. The animal arrived
last Saturday, and since then he
has been treated just as well as any
OF the inmates of the annex await
ing execution by the old rope route.
He was given the best stable afford
ed and was beginning to become at
tached to his new quarters.
The electrocution took place al
4 o'clock in the large yard Of the
penitentiary in the northwest and
just outside the electric light plant.
The machinery for the electro
cution apparatus was placed in
position in the house several days
ago. 1t was made by the Ft. Wayne
Machine Company and especially
designed for electrocution. All of
the parts are OF the largest improv-
ed designs and were in perfect or
der this afternoon.
The horse was brought from the
stable at $3.50 and placed near the
place of electrocution. The horse
fell asleep several times before he
was called on to submit to have
the appliances adjusted to his head
and leg.
The fires to generate the current
were lighted about half an hour
before the test was made, and al
4o'clock the registers showed a
total voltage power OF 1900, almost
twice as much as needed for the
electrocution Of the bull pup.
When all was in readiness the
animal was led to plank platform
under a window, and close to
where the machinery was located
inside the building.
Two wires were passed through
this window, and on the end Of each
was brass plate. When all was
in readiness Electrician Harry Can.
field, assisted by a convict, adjusted
the electrodes. These were placed
one on the top OF the horses head
between the ears, and the other on
the left hind leg, just above the
knee. Under these brass strips
was placed sponge saturated with
salammoniac water, which made
q conductor of the electric current
and formed the circuit for the fluid.
The operation OF preparing the
animal required probably five min
utes, and all through 1t the horse
continued to sleep, and not until he
had been placed In position for
the shock did he display any signs
OF life. After the appliances had
been adjusted and Electrician Can
field entered the house for the pur-
pose OF turning on the current his
horseship became interested. He
slowly raised his head and took
quiet survey OF the situation, and
was evidently pleased with the sur
roundlngs, as he Immediately turn
ed his face toward the wall and
began licking his lips. The elec-
trican was little slow In turning
the current on, and the horse at
tempted to leave the platform. He
was coaxed hack by a convict, and
then II was that the switch was
thrown and the current shot into
the body Of the horse. Electrician
Garfield manipulated the switch