Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-03-23
WOMAN ELECTRoCUTED
Mrs. Martha Place Pays the
Penalty for Murder.
DIES CALMLY AND WITHOUT PAIN
Sits Lightly In the Chair. Electrodes Are
Placed, Tremor and Her Life Is at an
End-The First Woman In New York to
Thus Die--Her Crime.

NEW YORK, March 21-Mrs. Mar
tina Place was executed at Sing Sing
prison today. She was the first woman
to die in the electric chair in the state
Of New York, and she went to her
death quietly. Her death was instan-
taneous, but two shocks being given.
State electrician Davis threw down
the lever exactly at 11:01 a. m The
voltage of the current was 1,760 and
it was continued for four seconds. 1t
was then gradually diminished to 200
voltage, which was continued for fifty
six seconds.
DR.. Irvine, the physician of the
prison, examined the woman and then
ordered second shock. That was the
same as the first in power and contin-
ued for the same length of time. The
second shock has always been admin
istered at Sing Sing.
Mrs. Place murdered her step
daughter, Ida M. Place, mere girl,
February T. 1898. ne 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 entire day for her husband
to return and then attacked him with
an ak, fracturing his skull and other
wise seriously injuring him. Place,
however, recovered.
Mrs. Place was convicted and SEN
fenced to death, but she never for a
moment believed she would be electro
cuted. 1t was not until Thursday last
that Warden Sage announced to her
that Governor Roosevelt had abso-
lutely refused to interfere with the
course of justice and she must die on
Nlonday. 1t was great shock to the
woman, but during the last four days
she bore up wonderfully we'll.
She was ready at that hour, ant no
one who watched her could under
stand what change must have taken
place in the woman's nature to so dull
her senses that she could go to her
death so calmly and impassively. 1t
had not been expected that she would
do so. The last woman condemned to
die in this state went to the gallows
shrieking and fighting but Mrs. Place
hardly uttered sound. She merely
murmured a prayer, with closed eyes,
her face turned partly upward and
seemingly unconscious of things about
her
There were only twelve witnesses,
and only those who watched every
movement witnessed Mrs. Places
death. They were able to see the
raising of the body as the electrical
shock passed through it. 1t was only
when the current was partly snut off
that they could see the body relax. 1t
was an easy way to die.
Sha fold bor M cfor that ba halioyn1
that her sins had been forgiven, and
asserted 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 turn
ing gray, was brushed back smoothly
over her forehead. 1t was clipped
away only where the electrode was to
be placed.
Mrs. Place said simply that she was
ready, and the warden took her arm
in mis-. They went slowly through the
deserted old hospital building along
several Railways, and finally through
the last corridor of all.
On either side the murderers' cells,
where four others await death, were
draped with heavy curtains, and the
procession moved more quickly
through this dismal place. Mrs. Place
leaned heavily on the warden's arm.
Her face was very white, her head
uplifted, her eyes closed. The white
band around her throat seemed scarce
ly whittier than her face.
AS they came over the threshold
Mrs. oPlace gave no sign of fear, nor
did she even seem to know what was
about to happen. She passed almost
like blind woman across the short
space that separated her from death.
She was gently pressed down into
the frame, and DR.. Irvine, who was n
waiting, stepped in front of her. lie
motioned to the women and they came
up on either side. 1t took but few
moments to strap her in. The edge
of her skirts was lifted quickly, the
stockings drawn quickly down over
the shoe and the electrode fastened
by one of the women to the right leg.
Then the skirt was dropped The
neau Champ was fastened on, the straps
across the face.
The two women stood with out
stretched skirts, with DR.. Irvine AMI
a male attendant on each side, almost
shutting out the view of the witness
es, and the signal was given.
Quicker almost than a flash Tie
electrician threw down the lever. The
body Strengthened, the fingers gripped
tightly in the palms and the little
| prayer book she held in her left hand
was drawn across the wrist. No one
expected the shock would be given so
! quickly, and the body was relaxing
almost before the witnesses were
aware that the electrocution was COM
menced.
Mrs. Place said. as she sat in the
chair, God help me, God save me. -
There was not sound after that