The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-08-19
Nevada Law Provides Peculiar
Form of Execution for Men
Convicted of Murder.
CHAMBER IN new PRISON
State Architect Ordered to Plan Cham
Der Where Witnesses in Safety
May See Man Die-Some Say
Method Is Cruel and
Barbarous, 81.

carson City, Nev.-In this capital
city of Nevada they are building a
new state penitentiary which will con.
tain lethal gas chamber for the exc
cution OF condemned criminals.
Under law passed at the recent
session of the state legislature all per-
sons condemned to death in this state
must be killed by the administration
Of lethal gas.
Inc laws affecting the death pen
atty nave been out of the ordinary in
thls state for number of years past.
ohder certain restrictions the con-
demned criminal has been able ia
choose his own method of execution.
Inc last man to die at the hands of
the state was one Mircovich, who. in
the language Of Gov. Emmett d,
boyle, accepted shooting" The con-
uemned man was seated in a chair
III the prison yard with his back to
wall. A diagram was fixed upon
MS clothing. A company of men were
engaged to shoot at the living target.
All the rlflemen were expert marks
men. AS they entered the prison
!ara they were handed loaded weap-
ons. Some of the guns contained
blanks and others were loaded with
steel bulleted shells. No member of
the hring squad knew what his rifle
contained.
Death Was instantaneous
After the single crash of the volley
that snuffed out the forfeited life #
was found the figure "S" traced on
MS breast had been perfectly per-
1orated by the bullets, which were
round to have plugged the back of
the chair on which he sat. The chair
OF the states shooting gallery" is
one of the gruesome objects of curi-
oslty which you can see In the old
prison yard. The figure IS" is very
accurately outlined in the wood where
the bullets lodged after they sped
through the human body.
1hose who witnessed the execution
say that death was practically instan-
taneous. The physicians believe that
shooting is the quickest, least painful
and most humane method of execution.
Inc new law has preciptated much
discussion. There are many LAWYERS
In Nevada who hold that criminal
may not be legally executed by lethal
gas. They say it is unconstitutional
because 1t violates the constitutional
prohibition against cruel, barbarous
and unusual punishment. There is
sufficient weight to this contention In
the minds of the members of the
prison board so that they have care
1uiiy preserved the gallows for such
use as may be necessary.
GOV. Emmett D. Boyle, head of the
state, who signed the bill making the
iethal gas execution legal. holds that
1t is perfectly feasible and constitu-
tional
mere are a number of lethal
gases that may be Employed he told
me. ANY will produce practically
instant death. satisfied myself thor
oughly concerning this phase Of the
proposition before l signed the bin.
am convinced that this method of
execution can be simply administered
and will be effective.
Use Mechanical Methods.
Inc gas will be administered nv
soihe person designated by the war
deh, 1t will be administered by me-
chahlcal methods. The execution by
TINS method will not be painful
90 not think, however, II Is re-
lated In any respect to the abolition
OF the death penalty.
NO actual steps have yet been
aSen to provide the facilities for tho