The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-19
Executed Man Says Before
His EIectrocution That He
Mas Aggravated to the
Crime He Committed.
ACCEPTS THE CHURCH
PRIOR TO EXECUTION
Rife Was First Man to Be
EIectrocuted on Date Set
BY the Trial Judge-Rev.
Ryan Breaks Down.

Columbus, O., Jan. 10.-Harry Rife,
the Eaton murderer, who killed his
sweetheart. Mrs. Ida Gilmore Girls
void, in the Eaton public library on
the night of July s, 1909, died in the
electric hair in the Obi, penitentiary
at 1908 this morning.
After singing a few OF his favorite
songs in tn, Annex with Chaplain
Richards and the other condemned
men. Rife was led into the death
chamber at five minutes after mid
night by Deputy warden Zuber and
two guards. He was at once placed In
the chair and strapped.
Place the Black Mask.
When the black mask was placed
over his face by Warden Jones and
Prison Physician J. w. Clark. the con-
demned murderer was asked IL the
straps were too tight. He replied that
they were, and the straps were slightly
loosened.
Harry Rife, have you any last state
ment to make before you pay the pen.
ally. IOT luC CTlul6 WHICH YOU GULL
mitted," asked Warden Jones.
Il only want to thank you, Warden
Jones, for your kind and thoughtful
treatment Of me while have been con-
fined here, and also want to thank
the guards for replied Rife, as his
voice sank to whisper and his words
became indistinct.
Who Threw the Switch?
Who threw the switch may never be
known, as the controlling lever was
screened from the gaze Of the onlook-
erS.
That the electrocution was successful
was evidenced by Rife's hands, which
never moved when the current passed
through his body. The shock was of
one minute duration. The current was
turned on at 1850 volts for ten seconds
and then was reduced to 500 volts for
forty seconds, after which 1t was again
turned on at 1850 volts.
At twelve minutes past midnight
Chief Physician Clark addressed War
den Jones. Harry Rife is Dead" he
said.
".
lei Ryan, of Hymer. Ind, and Repre-
sentative D. P. Haggerty. were the Of.
ficial witnesses selected by the con-
demned man yesterday afternoon.
He Averted His Eyes.
The Rev. Mr.. Ryan although in the
death chamber, averted his eyes dur
ing the electrocution. Death penalty
Is excessive" said Rife to Chaplain
Richards just before he was led into
the death chamber. II was aggravat-
ed to the crime by the woman whom l
killed"
The only relative to see the con-
demned man before the hour Of exc.
cution was the Rev. Mr.. Ryan. He
spent several hours in the Annex and
when he left he was crying bitterly
Rife had placed his life in the hands
Of his uncle, whom he believed could
secure pardon for him. or a stay Of
execution at least. The Rev. Mr.. Ry.
an is the national chaplain Of the G.
A. r.
Reeeived Into Church.
Rife was received into the fellowship
OF the Methodist church by his uncle
Il viii at least leave this world q
Christian" Rife exclaimed to the An
mex guard during the afternoon.
Rife did not break down before he
entered the death chamber and die
not make any last statement to Chap
lain Richards
During the evening the chaplain VA
In the prison Annex with Rife and thu
Rev. Ryan. Songs were sung. In which
the other condemned men took part
and Chaplain Richards led In the fina
prayer. The electrocution Of Rife 1,
the first In years. taking place on ths
date originally set by the trial Judge
Governor Harmon Monday refused 4
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