The record-union., 1896-02-22
IVAN KOVALEV'S EXECUTION.
The Work Done With NeatneSS and Dis
patch.
There Were No Sensational Features
He Refused to Make Any
Statement.

Ivan kOvaIeV, the brutal Russian
convict, who, with Matthew Stcherba-
kov. murdered F. H. L. Weber and his
wife in their home in this city little
over a year ago. was hanged at the Fol-
som State Prison yesterday in the
presence of about forty-fve invited wit
nesses.
All the facts in regard to the horrible
crime for which this wretch yesterday
paid the penalty are fresh in the minds
of the public as it is only a short time
since his trial, when they were pub
lished in detail in the Record Union"
There is but one new item, and that is
that a few days-ago Kovalev admitted
10 Warden Aull that he had been sent
TO Saghalien for murder, instead of be-
ing exiled for a political offense.
KoValev persisted to the last in his
refusal to make any further statement
IN regard to the murder of the aged
couple. When asked yesterday morn
ing to say whether or not he was guilty,
he replied: Il have nothing to say"
He declined the offered services of both
the Catholic priest and Protestant min
lister.
The execution yesterday was devoid
tional. 1t was remarkable only for the
wonderful promptness and perfection
o. detail which characterized it. War
den Aull's preparations had been made
with the utmost care and everything
passed off just as he had planned it.
Tt was 1920 O'Clock when Captain
Murphy announced to those assembled
outside the prison door that everything
was in readiness. The party then en-
tered the prison and passed down long
corridor to the vicinity OF the row OF
cells known as the condemned cells.
Here a brief halt was made to allow
the assembled Sheriffs to first enter the
room where the execution was TO take
place. 1t was 1925 o'clock when the
other witnesses filed into this room and
were assigned their places. At l0:29
the cell door opened, and Warden Aull
and the turnkey brought forth Kovalev,
with his hands bound firmly to his sides.
His ankles were quickly strapped to-
gether, and in one minute from the
time Koyalev left his cell-at 1880
o'clock-the trap fell and he was
launched into eternity. DR.. G. B. Glow
and DR.. c. L. Browning at once stepped
up to note the action Of the pulse, and
in ten and one-half minutes announced
that pulsations had ceased. When the
condemned man left his cell he walked
without assistance the few steps to the
trap, but he never raised his eyes to
lcok about him and seemed paralyzed
by fear
The witnesses then retired and the
body was removed to the operating
room, where Drs. c. L. Browning and
F. D. Tyrre1l held an autopsy in the
presence of the other physicians. The
main interest in the autopsy centered
IN the condition of the brain, as the
claim had been made during Kovalev's
trial that he was either In
sane or an imbecile. 1t was
found that the brain was in
perfectly normal state and was one
ounce heavier than the average, weigh
ing fifty and three quarters ounces.
The witnesses to the execution were
Sheriffs William Conroy of Placer, G.
Fl. Hilbert Of Ell Dorado, S. E. Ballou
of San Luis Obispo, Under Sheriff Black
OF San Francisco and Frank Johnson
of Sacramento; Luther T. Weber A. A.
Jost, c.. II. Beesley, D. T. Lufkins, DIR.
Fred. Tyrrell, F. D. Ryan, Judge w.
A. Henry, r. T. Devlin, w. H. Govan,
Deputy Sheriff Hinters, A. G. johnson,
w H Hanlon Lincoln Williams, Ed.
III. Dwyer, Howard Johnson, G. T. Jones,
James B. Devine, DR.. Thomas Ross,
Dr. William Hanna, DIR. W. F. Wizard,
w Flemming, G.. A Nelson, w. B.
Hamilton, Edward B. Boone, Dr. G.. B.
Glow, ]. NJ. Morrison, William f. Peter
son, H. A. McCraney, James McGrath,
Frank Wright and representatives of
several newspapers.
After the examination the visitors
spent some time viewing the prison
and grounds, and all were struck with
the wonderful executive ability of War
den Aull, evidences of which were found
on every hand. Great improvements
have lately been made in the buildings
and grounds and others are still in pro-
gress The kitchen dining-room, cells
and all parts of the buildings were
inspected and found to be in
in the most perfect order. The
great dining-room will seat 1900
found to be in the most perfect order.
The great dining-room will seat 1,3OO
people comfortably at table The hos
pital was visited and found to contain
only one patient. 1t was learned that
the average sick list was less than ~
per cent, while it. is at San Quentin.
Warden Aull and his brother and
Captains Murphy and Baker gave the
guests every opportunity to see every
thing they desired about the prison,
the great dam, the power-house and
grounds Lunch was served to all be-
fore their departure.