The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-24
MRS. PLACE ELECIROCU|[D
First Woman to Suffer
Death in This Manner
SHE DISPLAYS GREAT NERVE

ACAA NCA ahCn ~
Amy Mfsh.p I'm the execution
Of the Death SenIenee-Tbe Woman.s
Last Hours-Loss Of Hope OF Commu-
tation or a New Trial Makes a Great
Change in the Condemned
New York, March 20-MrS Martha
Place was executed at Sing Sing prison
today She was the first woman to die
in the electric chair in thu state Of New
York and she went TO her death quiet
ly. Her death was instantaneous, but
two shocks were given. State Electri-
clan Davis drew down the lever at ex-
actly 11:01 a. IA The voltage of the
current vas 1,769 and it was continued
for four seconds 1t was then gradu-
ally diminished to 200 volts, which was
continued for ffty-six seconds DIR. IL
vine, the physician Of the prison, ex-
anined the woman and then ordered a
second shock. That was the same as
the first in power, and continued for
the same length Of time. The second
shock has always been administered at
Sing Sing.
Mrs. Place murdered her step daugh-
ter, Ida M. Place, a mere girl, On Feb
ruary z, 1898. She first threw acid in
the girls eyes and then smothered her.
This was early in the morning in their
home in Brooklyn. She waited the en-
tire day for her husband to return and
then. attacked linn with an axe, frac-
turing his skull and otherwise serio1s-
ly %injuring him. Place, however, re-
covered
Mrs Place convicted and sea-
fenced to death, but she never for a.
moment believed she would be elctr1-
cute. She at first claimed she could
remember nothing of the murder and,
later, the plea of insanity was submit
ted in her behalf.
It was not until Thursday last that
Warden Sage announced to her that
Governor Roosevelt had absolutely re-
fused to interfere with the course of
justice; and that she must die on Mon
day. 1t was a great shock to the wo-
man, but during the last four days she
bore up wonderfully we'll. She suf-
fered in two ways after she learned
that she must die, from sleeplessness
and from loss of appetite. Again,
however, the warden visited her so that
there might be no misunderstanding
and told her she must. be ready 1t IL
O'Clock Monday morning.
She was ready at that hour, and no
n who watched her could understand
! what change must have taken place in
the woman's nature to so dull her SEN
ses that she could go to her death so
! calmly and impassivelY as Mrs. Place
did. 1t had not been expected that she
would do so.s The last woman con-
demned to die in this state went to the
gallows shrieking and fighting, but Mrs
Place hardly uttered a sound. She
merely murmured a prayer, with raised
eyes, her face turned partly upward
and seemingly unconscious of things
about her.
This was the Goth electrocutiOn at
Sing Sing prison, but none before was
SO successful as that of today. Not only
was there nc scene, but there was nc
delay. Within three minutes after
coming through the iron doors the or
der of the law had been carried out.
There were twelve witnesses present
and only those, who watched every
movement, Witnessed Mrs. Places
death. Few were able. to see the rails
ing of the body as the electrical shock
passed through it. 1t was only when
the current, was partly shut off that
they could see the body relax. 1t was
an easy way to die.
On Sunday Mrs. Place had her regu-
lar attendants and during the night
she was visited by her spiritual adviser
Rev. DR.. David Cole, Of Yonkers, and
Mrs. Meury, a mission worker of Brook.
Ign, who has taken a great interest in
the voman'S welfare. Mrs. Sage, thu
warden's wife, also spent an hour or sc
with her, but at $3.50 o'clock Mrs. Plac,
was left alone with the night matron
Mrs. Coultry, with two keepers in thu
outer room. The condemned womaz
was very restless. Outside a terrific
gale was blowing across the Hudson
which ratified the windows in thu
gloomy old hospital building, wher'
Mrs. Places quarters were located
There was a driving snow, too, an(
several times the woman went to he
window to watch the storm. She dix
not retire until 2:30 o'clock, and afte
tudL she was up several liI1eS W pray
Never for a moment did the matron re
lax her vigilance.
1t cannot be denied hat Wardel
i, Sage was anxious in the extreme re
garding the execution and it was witt
this IN mind that he ordered every pre-
caution taken to insure the best re
suits He sent Rev. DIR. Cole to her a
: 9:l5 O'Clock this morning, first inQuir
ing whether the aged clergyman coul
stand the strain. DIR. Cole assured hir
, that he could and was so full Of sym
, pathy for the woman he had know
: since she was a child that he was anx
o to be with her and comfort her {
the end. DIR. Orvine also visited he
l in the morning and with him was
: oma physician who had been sent
2 attend the execution at the suggestio
y of Governor Roosevelt. Mrs. Sage wa
. the last of her friends to say good bye
During the last few remaining mir
! utes of her life Mrs. Place was agai
and again lfrpnd tn On brayHly TO he