The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-09
MADMAN EXECUTED.
Autopsy on John Henry Barker,
ElectrOcuted, Shows Him
Insane.

Sing Sing, N. Y, July 9-It was not I'M
til John Henry Barker, a half-breed negro,
had been killed by electricity in Sing
Sing prison and his body cut to pieces by
eleven doctors yesterday that anybody
discovered he had an abnormal brain, and
was a better subject for a madhouse than
for the executioner's chair.
1t was remarkable execution. 1t
offered every possible argument for the
preference of electricity to a rope in car
rying out the death penalty. The con-
demned man was dead before the physi-
clans and others invited to witness the
execution, in compliance with the law,
had time to fairly settle in their seats.
One awful groan escaped his lips, never
to be forgotten by those who heard it,
but the prison physicians said it was
simply the powerful electrical force act
ing upon the vocal organs and betokened
no suffering the part of the man in
the chair.
Then, after Barker had apparently been
dead two minutes and the current was
put at high pressure again, his body
bounced in the chair until the straps that
held it threatened to break, but the ply
sicians said this was simply galvanism
and not necessary to insure death, but
resorted to matter of precaution. 1t
so sudden that his spirit out of the
world before the sensation of pain had
time to communicate itself with his
nerves to his brain.
The autopsy was even more remarkable
than the execution. Physicians were pres
ent from various parts of this state and
from New Jersey. There is always a
large number of doctors the waiting
list for admission to electrocutions, and
Warden Sa ea endeaVOrs n give the n1edi.
cal men all the scope he can, but the num-
Der of doctors at Bankers execution was
unusually large
Many of those in the room know the ne
gro a bad, desperate man, but not one
of them ever imagined he was not respon-
sible for his actions. He walked in from
his cell muttering a prayer without rails
ing his eyes from the silver crucifix or
giving even a glance at the group of peo-
pie around him. 1t was not until the wet
cap was put on his head and the water
began to stream down his face that he
appeared to realize where he was. Then
he trembled like a leaf.
Waste time said Warden Sage.
1t scarcely an instant before Barker
was strapped to the chair and the cleo
trica1 current of 1,S4O volts was poured
into him. His jaw dropped and he gave
a deep, prolonged groan. All present
were surprised and looked for something
even more startling, but it did not come.
Barker's hands relaxed the silver cruel
fix fell to the floor and somebody said:
He is dead
mot yet replied DR.. Irvine.
The current maintained at an am |
perage of II for five seconds. and then
reduced to $50 volts, with amperage
huctuating between four and six. The |
electrician was just about to turn it off
when Barker gave a long, heavy sigh, |
exactly like a tired man sinking to sleep, |
and the current was continued two Sec |
onds longer. Then it was shut off long
enough to allow DR.. irvine and one of the |
visiting physicians to place to |
Barker's heart.
The doctors sfgnaled to State Electro |
clan Davis and the current was turned |
on again for ten seconds. 1t was then the |
body gave the powerful convulsive twitch |
that led several witnesses to believe that |
he was still alive. However, the doctors !
officially declared he was dead and the |
witnesses were invited to come forward /
and satisfy themselves of the fact.
What made him groan like that?"
somebody asked DR.. Irvine. Didn't the |
shock kill him instantly"
Il believe it did, said the doctor 1.-The |
mans breathing was short and unnatural |
because he was frightened, and I hap