Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-21


ly whittier than her face. The warden
held her arm closely with his and with
his other arm supported her. Behind
came the women attendants, one ply
stefan, the other the day matron. Rev.
DIR. Cole 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 even seem to know
what was about to happen. She pass
ed almost like a blind woman across
the short space that separated her from
death.
She was gently pressed down into
the frame and DR.. Irvine, who was IN
waiting, stepped in front of her. He
motioned to the women, and they came
up on either SIDE 1t took but NOM
ent to strap her in. The edge OF her
skirts was lifted quickly, the stocking
drawn down over the shoe and the
electrode fastened by one of the women
to the right leg. Then the skirt was
dropped The head cap was clamped
on, the straps buckled across the face
and padded rope over the forehead.
The two women stood with out5tretch-
ed skirts with DR.. Irvine and male
attendant on either side almost SHUT
ting ont the view of the witness and
the signal was given.
Quicker almost than flash the cleo
trician threw down the lever. The
body straightened, the fingers gripped
tightly into the palms and the little
prayer book she held in her left hand
was drawn across the wrist. NO one
had expected that the shock would be
given so quickly, and the body was re-
Taxing almost before the witnesses were
conscious that the execution had oc-
Cured. Only the womans mouth was
visible and it changed merely in the
drawing down of the lips and little
darkening of the skin. Mrs Place had
m1rmered as she was seated in the
chair. God help me; God have
mercy"
There was not a sound after that,
NOT even a moan. The visible erect OF
the shock was less than had ever Deen
observed in the death house be1ore.
There was not the slightest dlstortlon
of features: the eyes were covered ana
when the straps were removed lhey
were still closed.
On the second shock the boGy
straightened out again and a NIUE
foam oozed from the lips. When the
current was shut off the body repoSed
naturally in the chair.
Dr Irvine called upon the woman
musician to make an examination,
which she did by merely opening the
waist and placing her stethescope pc
tween the folds of the dress over the
heart. She performed her work quick
" and then the other physicians pre-
sent were asked to complete the eH-
animation. DR.. Irvine gave 1t as MS
opinion that death had been lnstantan-
eous.
The body was allowed to remain in
the chair until all the witnesses hau
retired. when it was taken to the au-
topsy room and post mortem exam
nation held. No one was present Dut
the operating surgeons, and thelr re-
mort was sealed and will be flied IN
Kings county, together with the other
documents relating to the woman
death. The autopsy was rapid one,
and although no information was
made public the indications are tnat The
organs were found in healthy condi-
ton. -.
The insanity plea entered in behalf
of Mrs. Place had never impressed very
fayorably 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 any
thing but a sane woman and this was
the opinion also of DIR. Irvine, and mn
ally of the commission appointed to IN
quire into the condition OF Mrs. Place.
Drs. Rama and Polk.
The body was taken to the Sing Sing
station. where it was shipped to East
Milestone, n. J DR.. Cole was asked TO
officiate at the funeral, but he felt that
he could not stand the strain. He
promised to be present, although he
could not conduct the public service.