The New York herald., 1920-01-30
HANDY PUT TO DEATH,
MAINTAINS BRAVAD0
Brooklyn Bank Robber, Saying
"Here Goes" Electrocuted in
Sing Sing at 11:13 P. IA.
SPURNS AID OF CHAPLAlNS
Warden Postpones Procession from
Death House, but No Re-
prieve Arrives.
SPURNS AID OF CHAPLAINS
Especial to the Herdld.)

fGDcCtuG u GHC fIcTuf0/
SING SING. N. r, Thursday.-Gordon
Fawcett Handy, notorious Brooklyn bank
robber and slayer, was put to death to-
night In Sing Sing prison. He went to the
chair at seven minutes after eleven
o'clock and was pronounced dead six
minutes later.
Handy maintained his air OF bravado
and apparent nopchalance until the death
mask covered his head. Their, was faint.
cynical smile on his features and his voice
seemed not the least shaken by the ordeal
which he faced.
In the death house. seven minutes be-
fore he went to the chair, his comrades
shouted goodby and good luck to him.
I'm; game to try anything once; here
goes" he called back.
without Spiritual Adviser.
On his way from the death house
Hamby's step seemed springy and his face
displayed no emotion. At his own request
no spiritual adviser accompanied him, but
he walked with the principal keeper. Mar
tin j. Deeley. and two guards. Upon his
promise to create no disturbance he was
not handcuffed to the guards.
AS the slayer crossed the threshold of
tho death chamber he spied the chair near
the side wall on his right. lie continued
straight ahead until opposite the chair
when he did a perfect military right flank
step and, approaching within two PAGES of
the chair, drew erect and saluted. But
two guards who were standing on either
side of the chair quickly put stop 10 his
grim humor by Selling hold of him and
putting him in the chair.
In the death chamber were about thirty
persons, including physicians and news
paper representatives, among whom were
Mrs. Elizabeth Seaman (Nelle Bly) the
first woman to witness the execution of
the death sentence at Sing Sing. She was
heavily yelled and held a muff over the
lower part of her face.
When Major Lewis l.. Lawes, the war
den. entered the room Handy from the
chair asked IL he could speak The war
den gave him permission to do So
II want TO thank you for all that you
have done for me, Warden" Hambly be-
gan. Regardless of what has been said
about my financial difficulties, any one
who ever stood in front of Jay B. Aliens
gun had a chance and good chance at
that"
AS the electrodes were being adj
justed around his legs Handy glanced
at DR.. Amos o. Squire, the prison ply
sician. and the lines of his face broad
ened almost imperceptibly.
where is your red handkerchief
doctor?" he inquired.
II haven't got it," the physician re-
piled.
I'm sorry" said Handy.
Despite Hambys apparent coolness
alienists who Witnessed his death had a
different version of what was going on in
the mind of the States worst criminal" I"
whose strange acts have shocked New
York and the rest OF the country DR..
Edward Hicks, noted Brooklyn alienist
and Professor William +. Campbell. of
the surgical staff Of the Long Island Col
lege Hospital, said Handy was under a
terrific strain visible only to medical men
who noticed a slight twitching of facial
muscles
The hour OF Hamby's execution orig.-
nally had been set for eleven o'clock, but
fifteen minutes before that time Warden
Lawes arranged that the execution party
would leave the death house at eleven
o'clock to give time for possible fifty
ninth minute" reprieve from Albany.
Mornlixcd for Young Men.
When facing certain death the eccentric
slayer gave the Warden a message OF ad-
vice for other young men.
Il don't wish 10 appear in the light of n
moraist," said the bank robbcr, but you
can tell them for me, Warden, not to ever
start doing wrong, for once you start you
can never stop in n career Of crime"
Handy had been i'm cheerful mood a
the hour OF death grew near and joked
with Warden Lawcs. Dr. Amos o. Squire.
prison surgeon, and others Occasionally
he twitted the Warden about the electric
chair.
Smile. doctor. smile" Handy said to
DR.. Squire as the surgeon looked through
the bars with a sympathetic expression on
his face. lie protested 10 the Warden
that guard posted In front OF his cell in
tho death house 20 see that he did not
harm himself took his duty too seriously.
"Hc hasn't got smile in him. said
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