The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-30
MARY FARMER
PAYS PENALTY
FOR HER CRIME
Second Woman to Die in EIeC-
trio Chair Executed in
Auburn Prison.
: SPENT HER LAST NIGHT
ON EARTH IN PRAYER
SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE
DEATH
OF HORRIBLE DEED.

Auburn. n. Y, March 29.-Murmur-
ing prayer for her soul, Mrs. Mary
Farmer was quietly led to the electric
chair in Auburn prison shortly after 6
O'Clock this morning and executed for
the murder of Mrs. Sarah Brennan at
BroWnville last April.
The execution of Mrs. Fafmer-the
second infliction of the death penalty
on woman by electrocution in this
state-was effected without sensation
al incidents. Five women, two of whom
were prison attendants, were witnesses
Father Hickey, spiritual adviser of the
condemned woman, following the exc
cution gave out a statement signed by
Mrs. Farmer, in which she declared
that her husband, James Farmer. was
entirely innocent ana knew nothing OF
the crime until it had been committed.
Procession to Death Chair.
Led by Father Hickey, and with Mrs.
Dunnigan and Mrs. German, who have
attended her constantly since she was
brought to Auburn prison, Mrs. Farm
er walked unfalteringly to the death
chair, her eyes half closed and clasp
ing a cTucifix in her hands. As she
was being strapped in the chair Father
Hickey stood at her side and offered
prayers for the dying.
DR.. John Germ, the prison physician,
said that the woman was dead after
the first shock. but as there was still
tremOr of muscles reacting, two sue
CeedinS contacts were given. State
Electrician Davis said that 1.S40 volts
and ~ amperes was the strength of
the current that passed through the
WOman's body.
After Warden Benham announced
that roIaz-sff1ur, 40 n
Farmer dead, Dr.. Edward Spitzka of
Philadelphia and DR.. Charles Lambert
of the Pathological institute at Wards
island, New York, performed the au-
tOpsy.
Spent the Night in Prayer.
All night long the wretched woman
had prayed within her cell on the sec
ond tier of the woman's department
in the condemned row, after she had
bade farewell TO her husband.
Separated by steel bars and an in
tervening screen, husband and wife
spent their final hours together in
quiet conversation.
The final word was spoken, a last
goodbye, the weeping husband re-
turned to his cell and the hapleSs wCm-
an was led down the narrow corridor
Early this morning Father Hickey
Joined the watchers at Mrs. farmers
cell door. In the pale ochre light of
the corridor the woman and priest
prayed together, the last sacrament
was administered. and Mrs. Farmer
said she was not afraid to die.
Spectators Were Few.
Mrs Farmer was dressed in a 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 ad-
justed, and the woman 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.. H
NJ Westfall of MOravia, n. Y. Miss
Agnes Baird of Troy, n. Y, and Miss
Margaret T Byrne of Auburn. Miss
Baird and Miss ByTne are nurses
When all was in readiness the wit
neSSeS were formed in line after being
cautioned against any demonstration
and led into the death chamber.
state Electrician Davis tested the
dynamos and wires leading to the
death chamber. Everything was found
to be in working order. Warden Ben
ham nodded to Captain Patterson.
There was a low knock at the steel
door. the door was opened by some
one within. and the wretched woman
was led n. The priest led the way,
offering an almost inaudible prayer,