The age-herald., 1899-03-21
MARTHA PLACE
 ELECTROCUTED
Continued From Page one.).

dow to watch the storm. She did not retire until 2:3O, and after that she was up several times to pray. Never for a moment did the matron relax her vigilance. Mrs. Place was followed with watchful eyes Tor the twenty-four hours that preceded her taking off. During the last few remain Ing minutes of her life, Mrs. Pace was again and again urged to go bravely to her death and she promised that she would.
 She had told her pastor that she believed that her sins had been forgiven and as- serted her faith in the hereafter She was buoyed up with this feeling when the warden came to lead her to the chair. She was dressed in black, a gown that she had made herself, simple and plain. She had expected to wear it at her new trial or when she received her liberty.
 A white band was around her throat and her light brown hair, now turing gray was brusheed back smoothly over her forehead. It was clipped away only where the electrode was to be placed. Mrs. Place sald simply that she was ready, and the warden took her arms in his. They went slowly through the deserted old hospital building along several hall ways.
 Draped With Heavy Curtains
 On either side the murderer's cells were draped with heavy curtains, and the pro- cession moved more quickly through this dismal place.
 Meanwhile the witnesses had been called into the death chamber The electric appa- ratus had been given it's final test and they were waiting with suspense for the coming of the woman. Suddenly the side door, through which the party would enter was thrown open, a keeper stepped in and called Tor another keeper and turned rapidly away. The keeper returned and was fol- lowed almost at once by Mrs. Place, lean- ing heavily on the warden's arm.
 Her face was very white, her head up- lifted, her eyes closed. The white band around her throat seemed scarcely Whiter than her face. The warden held her arm closely within his, and with this other arm he supported her. Behind came the women attendants, one a physician, the other day matron. Rev. Dr. Cole, her spiritual adviser, came next, and after him were the two keepers. As they came over the threshold Mrs. Place gave no sign of fear, nor did she seem to know what was about to happen. She passed almost like a blind woman across the short space that sepa- rated her from death. She was gently pressed down into the frame and pr. Irvine, who was in waiting stepped in front of her. He motioned to the women, as they came up on each side. It took but a moment to strap her in. The edge of her skirts was lifted quickly, the stockings drawn down over her shoe. and the eec- trode fastened by one of the women to the right leg The head cap was clamped on, the straps buckled across the face, a pad dropped over the forehead and the signal was given.
 Last Plea for Mercy
 Quicker almost than flash the electri- clan had thrown the lever. The body strengthened, the fingers gripped tightly in- to the palms, and the little prayer book she held in her left hand was drawn across the wrist. No one had expected the shock would be given so quickly, and the body was relaxing almost before the witnesses were conscious that the execution had oc- cured. Only the womans mouth was visi- ble; it changed merely in the drawing down of the lips and little darkening of the skin. Mrs Place had murmured as she was seated in the chair: God help me i; God have mercy"
 There was not a sound after that; not even moan. The visible effect of the shock was less than had ever been observed in the death house before There was not the slightest distortion of the features; the eyes were covered, and when the straps were removed they were still closed On the second shock the body straightened out again. and little foam oozed from the lips. When the current was shut off the body reposed naturally in the chair.
 pr. Irvine gave it as his opinion that death had been instantaneous. The body was allowed to remain In the chair until all the witnesses had retired when it was taken to the autopsy room and a post mortem examination held. The autopsy was a rapid one, and although no informa- tion was made public. the indications are that the organs were found in healthy condition.
 The insanity plea entered in behalf of Mrs Place had never impressed very fa- vorably those who knew the woman best Her spiritual adviser, Rev Dr. Cole, was one of those who never for a moment thought Mrs Place was anything but a sane woman, and this was the opinion also of pr. Irvine, and finally of the commission appointed to inquire into the condition of Mrs. Place.