Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-03-29
Crime for Which She Suffered
Death Was the Murder Of Mrs.
Sarah Brennan, Neighbor.
TO SECURE HER PROPERTY
Second Woman to Die in the EleC-
trio Chair in the State
OF New York.
Did Not Collapse on March to Death
Chamber-Dicd MurInnring Prayer
For The Welfare Of Her Soul

Auburn. n. ". March 29.-MurmuIing
q prayer for her soul, Mrs. Mary Farm
OF was quietly led 20 the electrical chair
in Auburn prison shortly after o'clock
This morning and executed Tor tho muir
der OF Mrs. Sarah Brennan at Brown
vile. last April.
The execution OF Mrs. Fauucr-the
second indiction OF the death penalty
rn woman by electrocutiun in this
state-was effected without sensation
aI Incidents Five women two Of
whom were prison attendants, were
Witnesses. Father Hickey, spiritual
adviser Of the condemned woman, fol-
lowing the execution. gave out a state
facnt signed by Mrs. Farmer, in which
she declared that her husband, James
Farmer. was entirely innocent and
knew nothing OF the crime until 1t had
been committed.
Led by Father Hickey and with Mrs.
Dunnigan and Mrs. German. who have
attended her constantly slnce she was
brought to Auburn prison. Mrs. Farmer
walked unfalteringly TO the death chair
her eyes half closed and clasping a
Ciucihx in her hands. As she was be-
ing strapped I'm the chair Father
Hickey stood at her side and offered
prayers for the dying.
DIT. John Germ. the prison physician
said that the woman was dead after
the first shock. but as there was still
"a tremor OF muscles reacting, two sue
ceeding contacts were given. State
Electrician Davis said that 1,Si0 volts
and ~ amperes was the strength OF
The current that passed through the
womans body. After Warden Benham
announced that the physician had pro-
nCunce Mrs Farmer dead. d.. Edward
Suitzka OF Philadelphia.andD DIT. Charles
lambert OF the Pathological institute
at Wards Island, New York, performed
the autopsy.
PRAYED ALL NIGHT.
Al night long the wretched woman
had prayed within her cell on the sec
ond tier Of tho woman's department in
the condemned row. after she had babe
farewell 10 her husband.
Separated by steel bars and an inter
Vcning screen, husband and wife spent
their final hour together in quiet con-
NcrsatiOn.
The final word was spoken. a last
good bye the weeping husband return
ed 20 his cell and the haplers woman
was led down the narrow corridor. Early
this morning Father Hickey joined the
watchers at Mrs. Farmers cell door.
Ia the pale ochre light OF the corridor
tn woman and priest prayed tog thor.
the last sacrament was administered
and Mrs. Farmer said she was not
afraid 10 die.
npu-pA LrNrf1 MOP rry-trtsrrrrTnN-
Mrs. Farmer was dressed in a plain
black waist and skirt Her hair was
brushed hack from her forehead and
fcll In two braids. Two or three locks
were cut from the scalp so that the
head electrode might be properly ad-
iuated and the woman attendants sllt
The left side Of the skirt as far as the
knee and cut the stocking. None cx-
ccpt those having official Invitations
were admitted 10 the execution. The
three women witnesses were Dr. H. N.
Westfall Of Moravia, n. r.. Miss Agnes
Baird Of Troy, n. ", and Miss Mar
garet II. Byrne Of Auburn. Miss Baird
and Miss Byrne are nurses. when an
was in readiness the witnesses we're
formed In line after being cautioned
against any demonstration and led into
The death chamber
state Electrician Davis tested The
dynamos and wires leading 10 the death
ehuir. Everything was found 90 be In
working order. Warden Benham nod
3cd 70 Captain Patterson. There was a
ow knock az the steel door. the door
Nas opened by some one within and the
Wretched woman was led Ia. The Phi sd
ed the way, Offering an almost maud
bic prayer while just behind him came
Mary Farmer. Her hands clasped a
rlucidx and she murmured until .he
end came.
WOMAN's LAST PRAYER.
Jesus Mary and Joseph, have mercy
.5u my soul"
II might have been only a few
frc1nds before the straps were adjust
td, though IL seemed am interminahle
pfrlod Tho two Wot attendants
iiood bv the wall and two nurses and
d. Wcstfall arranged themselves in
iont of the black goWned figure while
"upt Patterson adjusted the leg elec-
rode. Tho rubber mask was adjusted
over the eyes and the head electrudc
attached. A word from the state elcc-
flc.on ana the attendants, nurses and
warden Eonham stepped back from
n' thick rubber mat upon which The
4'atn chair is placed.
SHOCK or DEATH
The hand OF States Electrician Davis
raced O. slow arch with tho switch be-
hind the curtain. A haf spoken
prayer was halted as mo condemned
rnmun CONFUSED ln the leather har-
1ffs that bound her t0 the chair
woman attendant covered hcr face
0ith hcr hands only inc clicking of
ne ushtcning straps and the murmui
1f dNnamoa in an adjoining room
souid bo heard
Tho nrst contact lasted rom minute
.le voltage starting ut 1890 and bcinl
fIadually lowered to 200. then raised
leain 40 the mll limit of 1,biO volts
luN current Was applied nf 0.u.
3rIock The current was shut on and
orange found-half moan and hal
Yurnur came from mo Wnmaui
Ips. Or Germ and Dr. spiizka ap.
7ilgd The stothoacopo Go tho hear
fhilo electrician Davis felt the artery
tho nook Muscular action rH'
1nfrl hF tno uh'HIeians ana aTHIf
Nut .ul passed lhruush lni
fDman'a body fnr period of leV
Npnda, once more fhe physician