The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-07
TOPSY'S ELECTROCUTION.
Story of How the Notorious Man
Killer Died.

New York, Jan. 7.-Topsy, bad ele-
plant, with a record of three men
slain, was executed at Coney Is
land Sunday afternoon. She died de-
family.
After ago grains Of cyanide of potas-
SUM had been administered to her in
carrots. which she devoured greedily.
$500 volts of electricity were turned
into her huge frame.
Laymen hold to the belief that Topsy
died from the electric shock. She was
chained to four posts, and then cleo
tfodes were carefully fastened to her
right fore and left hind feet At the
instant of the execution all the power.
except that needed for the trolley cars,
was diverted from the Coney Island
power house to the wire which ran to
the place of execution.
With everything in readiness, two
carrots, filled with the cyanide of po-
taSSium, were handed to TOpSy, and il
trice were swallowed. Then the sig
nal was given TO the man at the
switchboard.
Topsy's four legs were braced siren
uously against the ground in response
to the shock. Her tail shot out and
her trunk was tied in knots. A SILVER
ran over her frame, and then all was
still.
She died instantly For ten seconds
the current was kept on When it was
turned OH the DEAD DOQY OF the uuS6
beast swung gently a second or two
and then sank slowly to the ground
Topsy, the man-killer, was no more.
To make matters sure, the donkey
engine, to which was attached a big
haWser that encircled TopsyS neck
drew the rope taut, so that any re-
naming life in Topsy might be stran-
gled out; but the effort was unneces-
sary. At the first contact of the cleo
trio current Topsy gave up the ghost.
oh hC 0T1rf1 nj nf IL
ton. Her owners, who are erecting a
huge amusement enterprise at Coney
Island. had planned to kill her by
strangulatiOn on specially erected
platform. Four huge streamers ad-
vertising the enterprise were strung
from the sides Of the platform, and an
Ella borate scheme to bring out great
concourse of people at % cents head
had been arranged
The Berg society, however, interfered.
President Haines had no objection to the
killing of the elephant SO long as it was
done humanely. but he forbade the pub
lie exhibition. SO the execution was lin
tied to invited guests, including news
paper men and others who got in with
out invitations to the number of about
five hundred.
Many women We're amonG those who
lowered on the edge Of the safety point
to watch the elephant die Those that
could not get in crowded the roofs of
nearby buildings.
When everything was IN readiness,
with the ropes strung out and the wires
laid and the poison deposited on a loa
ready for use. To9sy was led from the
death chamber at the eupper end of the
grounds. where she had had a break
fast of oats and hay. down the path
way to the scene of the slaughter.
All went well until the Dachyderm
neared the bridge which crossed to th&
elevated platform. Topsy surveyed the
crowd. shifted the air and refused t,
move. Prodding didn't aid matters. and
when the executioners tried to coax heA
forward by offering her carrots. apples
and other delicacies. she would move
forward only far enough to get the food
and then back up to her original po-
sitson-
Half an hour was wasted in this way
The much advertised ferociOus beast Waa
as docile as a lamb. There was real
benevOlence in her eye. and kindness
itself in her manner. and she obeyed
every command Of Carl Goliath. a Ha-
genback animal man. who acted as chief
executioner, except that of crossing the
1latform.
She was even playful. When Goliath
asked her to lift her paw she responded
readily. and winked her eye solemnly,
seeming to say:
i've got a perfect idea of what is GO
ing on. You are going to kill me. Aftes
I have toiled along in this place helping
you drag timbers, pull up roots and
making myself generally useful. you are
going TO slaughter me. And Why2 Be
cause I killed a man who fed me a
4 lighted cigar Who wouldn't do the
same? It is true that I have killed two