The Washington herald., 1909-03-30
DYING CONFESSION
| CLEARS HUSBAND
Mrs. Mary Farmer AtOneS for
Crime in Electric Chair.
DISTRESSING SCENES ABSENT
Execution at Auburn Expeditions
and without Sensations - Woman
Closes Her Eyes and Repeats
Prayer as switch Is Turned On.
Picture of Baby Found In Bosom.

Auburn, ~ Y, March 29.-Mary Farmer
made a dying confession, freeing her
mind at the last minute. and, sustained
by her religion. bravely took her seat IN
the electric chair this morning and
humbly bowed before the throne Of God.
confident that in Him there was redemp-
ton for the self-confessed sinner. Her
death was effected In what win go Gown
as one of the most expeditions execu-
tions in the history Of the State. and was
absolutely without sensation.
The absence OF the usual distressing
scenes was Offset. however. by circum-
stances such as win probably never again
be duplicated Guided gently. her eyes
closed to shut out the view OF the room
where she heard the humming apparatus.
she took her seat in the chair al 6.04:30.
occupying her last moments in repeating
the prayer that was her sweetest conso-
lation
Mutters Last Prayer.
/ Jesus. Mary. and Joseph. have mercy
upon my soul. Jesus. MARY. and Joseph.
I mercy"
/ But the adjustments had already been
made and the watch hands showed
6:C5:SS. When the switch was thrown her
| lips were, sealed forever and for one
whole minute the current raced through
/ her quivering frame. At 6O6:40 IL was
I shut of. but slight nutterings necessi-
/ tated another application Of the current
for I'VE seconds. To mahe death certain
the circuit was closed third time for
a brief contact. and az $3.50 jha woman
was officially declared dead
! A current Of $50 volts 10 amp-res
had been used. The autopsy followed lt
/ $50. and was in charge OF D~s Edward
Anthony Spitzka. Of Philadelphia. and
| Or. Charles l.. Lambert OF New York
/ Nearly five hours elapsed ia the careful
study made before "a score OF physicians
The woman's body was in excellent CON
diyion and every organ was normal
! Then the remains we're surrendered %
Undertaken George r. Hennessy. who
offered TO bury them az ST J0seph's Gene
tery. two miles from here. In preparing
the remains for interment a little kodak
picture OF the Woman's two-year-0ld
/ baby. Peter J. Farmer. was found tucked
! in her waist. close 10 her heart The Un-
! dertaker placed 70 IN her arms. folded
/ uNfNoc lltl NAtdeLr anu II allltI j.
I Hickey conducted the ceremonies Of the
| Catholic Church
Leaves LeEncies to Kin.
Buried by the charity Of Father
Hickey and Undertaken Hennessy. the
woman left her only surviving kin these
| leEacies.
! To her husband. James Farmer, n new
lease on life IN "a confession completely
| exonerating him OF any participation in
7 the crime 4 faint glimmer Of the dawn
/ Of liberty begins 10 raise his spirits as
/ he Ianguishes in condemned row.
Z To her two-year-old Daby. Peter J.. she
( leaves a letter written in her own hand
/ writing. containing the true story OF her
wrecked life. and the tragic act that
marked It's close Il Is 20 lie In a vault
until the boy has grown 10 manhood.
when a relative viii give Il 10 him, 20
/ learn for the first time the pitiful secret
/ OF his childhood.