The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-29

candescent lights across the arms of
the death chair, adjusted the wire and
turned on the current. The globes
cleaned brilliantly under the power
full current. The lights were shut off
and removed. Warden Benham nod
ded to Captain Patterson.
There was a low knock at the steel
door the door was opened by some
one within and Captain Patterson
spoke to the women attendants inside.
There was a momentary pause and
the wretched woman was led in. The
priest led the way, offering an almost
inaudibIe prayer, while just behind him
came Mary Farmer. Her hands clasp
ed a crucifix and she murmured until
the end came, Jesus, Mary and
Joseph have mercy on my SOUL
Fatal Moment Arrives.
1t might have been only a few sec
onds before the straps were adjusted,
though it seemed an interminable
period. The two women attendants
stood by the wall and the two nurses
and DIR. Westfall arranged themselves
in front of the black gowned figure
while Captain Patterson adjusted the
leg electrOde. The rubber mask was
adjusted over the eyes and the head
electrode attached. A word from the
state electrician and the attendants,
nurses and Warden Benham stepped
back from the thick rubber mat on
which the death chair is placed.
The hand of State Electrician Davis
traced a slow arch with the switch be-
hind the curtain. A half spoken prayer
was halted as the condemned woman
convulsed in the leather harness that
bound her to the chair. A woman at
tendant covered her face with her
hands. Only the clicking of the tight
ening straps and the murmur of the
dynamOs in an adjoining room could
be heard.
Contact Lasted Minute.
The first contact lasted a full minute,
the voltage starting at 1,S40 and being
cy1~o duo ~ 1rvxro n
again to the full limit of 1,S4O volts.
The current was applied at sos
o'clock. The current was shut off and
a strange sound-half moan and half
murmur-came from the woman's lips.
DR.. Germ and DR.. Spitska applied the
stethoscope to the heart while Elec-
trician Davis felt the artery in the
neck. Muscular action was noted by
the physicians and again the current
passed through the woman's body for
a period of a few seconds. Once more
the physicians stepped forward and
applied the test to determine IL life
still remained in the limp figure in the
chair. For the third time the state
electrician sent the current through
the body.
The physicians among the states
witnesses were then called upon one
after another to examine the woman,
after which Warden Benham, said:
''The physicians announce that the
woman is dead. You will please come
to nv office and sign the witness roll
DR.. Germ directed the prison attend
ants to remove the body to the autopsy
Father Hickey said the meeting be-
tween husband and wife last night last
ed for over an hour. The priest said;
Mrs. Farmer seemed anxious to OBJ
tain the latest news from the folks at
their old home, and little il ANYTHING
was said about the execution. When
the time came fer the final parting, Mrs
Farmer said 'goodby, Jim, if don't see
you in this world. I will in the next.
Locked in his cell in far away cor
ner of the prison, Jim Farmer, the hus-
band, prayed during the hour OF ms
Wife'S execution. She ha told him she
had to die at dawn and that she had
made a statement that he was innocent
OF the crime. The man verged on col
lapse from grief and he frequently gave
way TO tears. The husband will not be
taken back to the death row until
Wednesday morning.
The witness sheet was signed In the
Warden's office, a file of witnesses, un-
strung and nervous, passed out from the
main prison gate and the official pro-
ceedings of Mary Farmers execution
were over
The physicians report that the autopsy
disclosed that Mrs. Farmer was normal
in every respect and that the brain
showed no LESSONS that would Indicate
a criminal tendency.
History of the Crime.
Auburn n. Y, March 29.-Mrs. Mary
Farmer is the second woman to meet
death in the electric chair. The crime
for which she was executed and for
which her husband. James D. Farmer,
Is also under sentence of death. was
the murder of Mrs. Sarah Brennan a
neighbor, in the village of Brownsville,
Jefferson county. about four miles from
the city of Watertown, on Thursday,
April 23. 1908. The body of Mrs. Bren
nan was found on the following Monday
n trunk owned by Mrs. Farmer and
IL her possession. Mrs. Farmer and