Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-04-09
PRAYED All Niaht,

All night long the wretched woman
had prayed within her cell or the sec
ond tier of the woman's department to
the condemned row, after which she
bade farewell to her husband.
Last evening the prisoner, her two
women attendants, Father Hickey and
Warden Benham walked from the wom-
ans prison to the gate leading to the
mems department, where a carriage
was in waiting. The drive OF about
100 yards was quickly over and the
woina was placed in the steel cell In
the receiving room and her husband
sent for.
Separated by steel bars and an inter-
vening screen. husband and wife spent
their final hour together in quiet con-
verse. The women attendants were In
the room, and just without the door a
prison guard was within call. The fl
nal word between them was spoken q
last goodbye, the weeping husband re-
turned to his cell and the hapless wo-
man led down the narrow corridor.
Mrs. Farmer was dressed in q plain
black waist and skirt. Her hair was
brushed back from her forehead and
fell in two braids. Two or three locks
were cut from the scalp so that the
head electrode might be properly adj
tusted, and the women attendants slit
the left side of the skirt as far as the
knee and cut the stocking. None ex-
cept those having official invitations
were admitted to the execution. The
three women witnesses were DR.. Fl. M.
Westfall, of Moravia, N. Y; Miss
Agnes Baird, OF Troy. N. Y, and Miss
Margaret T.. Byrne. of Auburn. Miss
Baird and Miss Byrne are nurses
When all vas in readiness Warden
Beham directed the witnesses to form
In line, two by two, and cautioned them
against any demonstration in the cleo
trocution chamber.
Seated in Chair.
Quietly the witnesses took their
seats. The two nurses and DR.. West
fall sat directly in front OF the chair
under instructions OF Warden Benham
that the secretary might assist in ad-
justing the electrode TO the limb. State
Electrician Davis move quietly about
the switches that were screened off In
a corner Of the room and then placed
a portable row of incandescent lights
across the arms OF the death chair, ad-
justed the wires and turned On the cur
rent. The globes cleaned brilliantly
under the powerful current. The lights
were shut off and removed. Warden
Benham nodded to Captain Patterson
There was a low knock at the steeI
door, the door was opened by someone
within, and Captain Patterson spoke tc
the women attendants inside. There
was a rnomentary pause, and the
wretched woman was led in. The
priest led the way, offering an almost
inaudible prayer. while just behind
came Mary Farmer. Her hands
clasped a crucifix and she murmurec
until the end came: Jesus, Mary and
Joseph. ave mercy on my soul."
1t might have been only a few Sec
onds before the straps were adjusted
though il seemed an interminable Pc
riod. The two women attendants stood
by the wall and the two nurses and DR.
Westfall ranged themselves in front o.
the black gowned figure, while Captain
Patterson adjusted the leg electrode
The rubber mask was adjusted ovel
the eyes and the head electrode at
tached. A word from the state cleo
trician and the attendants, nurses ant
| Warden Benham stepped back from tht