The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-26
Expressing Wish That He Could
Have Repaid the Wrong
WHICH HE HAD COMMITTED
Murderer of Deputy Sheriff Emmett f
Haskins at Monroe Bridge, Mass,
Was Electrocuted Early This
Morning-He Kept Good Nerve.

Boston. Jan. 26.--The last statement
of Silas N. Phelps, who was executed
shortly after midnight this morning for
the murder of Deputy Sheriff Emmett
L. Haskins at Monroe Bridge, was is
sued to-day from the state prison at
Charlestown. In the statement Phelps
said he never intended to kill the deputy
sheriff and did not commit wilful muir
der
Phelps wrote:
a sincerely wish could repay the
wrong | have done before | leave this
world"
In addition, the condemned man said
he would leave this world with no i'll
feeling against anyone.
Phelps met his death calmly. Pre-
ceded by Chaplain Herbert w. Stehbins
of the state prison, he walked into the
death chamber with head erect and eyes
straight in front of him. He said moth
ing when placed in the chair and his
lips remained firmly closed when the
electrodes that were to carry the death
dealing current were being strapped TO
him.
AS he began his last march from his
cell to the death room, Phelps listened
to the reading of the scriptures by the
Rev. Mr.. Stebbins, who read in low,
clear voice from the Third chapter OF
the gospel of st. John, verses /, 4, l5
and I6 As Phelps took his seat in the
chair, the chaplain turned to Isaiah
18th verse. Phelps did not hear the
verse concluded.
At l2:l5:55 900 volts of electricity
were turned on. This current was kept
on for eight seconds. Then a lesser
current of 300 volts shot through him
and kept on for twenty-five seconds.
Then the current was raised to 1900
end again reduced to 800. At l2;22;45
he was pronounced dead.
The witnesses to the execution were
the three physicians required by law.
Drs Joseph Mclaughlin of the prison;
George p. Mc6rath, medical examiner
for Suffolk county, and Charles c. Eos
ter, surgeon general Of Massachusetts,;
together with High Sheriff Edison ].
Pratt of Franklin county, the man who
succeeded Sheriff Haskins, whom Phelps
shot; James B. Bridge, special sheriff
OF Franklin county; Charles Richardson,
master of the house of correction at
Greenfield, where Phelps was confined
previous to his being removed to the
state prison; Warden Benjamin F,
Bridges, his deputy, N. d. Allen, Chap
lain Herbert w. Stebbins, and news
paper representative.
Within half an hour after the gov
ernor's council refused a communication
ot sentence or further reprieval yester-
day afternoon, Phelps was informed that
the sentence would be executed upon
him He was writing letter at the
time. As Sheriff Quinn entered the cell,
Phelps looked up.
Writing letters?" asked the sheriff.
"Then," continued the sheriff, kindly,
perhaps you had better write another
letter home and any Others that you
may wish. They may be the last"
Phelps understood. His face paled
and he remained quiet and thoughtful
for few moments. Then be asked for
the chaplain, who came and remained
with him until the last moment.
There was no bravado about him at
the end. He seemed a changed man
from the time the word was taken to
him that he must die.